Job Title: Technical Director for Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition (Maternal newborn & child health & Nutritional Technical Director)

Position location: Dakar

Duration : 6 months renewable

Job type: Local fixed-term contract

Context:

FHI 360 is a non-profit organization dedicated to human development which is committed to sustainably improving living conditions by offering integrated solutions adapted to the local context. Our staff includes experts in the fields of health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication and social marketing, creating a unique set of skills to address the interrelated challenges of today’s development. We are currently looking for qualified candidates for the position of Technical Director in Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) and Nutrition for the EpiC health project in Senegal.

“Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control” (EpiC) is a global project, funded by the US Department of State (DOS) and PEPFAR, that provides strategic technical support and direct service delivery to control the epidemic of HIV, to strengthen global health security (GHS), including epidemic response, and improve outcomes in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), nutrition and malaria control. In these health areas, EpiC builds resilient health systems by empowering governments to effectively manage, deliver and finance service delivery.

Job summary:

Under the supervision of the EpiC Project Director, the SMNI & Nutrition Technical Director will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise to develop, implement and evaluate programs aimed at improving maternal, neonatal and child health as well as outcomes nutritional. In this capacity, he/she will be responsible for strengthening intersectoral coordination, ensuring evidence-based approaches and aligning interventions with national and international health standards. The SMNI & Nutrition Technical Director will also work closely with EpiC Headquarters (HQ), in-country SMNI and nutrition teams, embassy and U.S. Government Department of State staff United,implementing partners and the Ministry of Health to ensure the development and execution of work plans on time. The position will focus on implementing life-saving U.S. government-validated NIHB and nutrition interventions for the benefit of pregnant women, newborns, and children. These include prenatal care (ANC), postnatal/postpartum care (PNC), emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC), care of low-weight and sick newborns (SSNC), integrated management of newborn and child diseases (IMNCI), integrated community case management (iCCM), as well as good practices in breastfeeding and feeding infants and young children, among others.

Skills and responsibilities:

• Provides technical direction for NIHB and nutrition programs, ensuring the implementation of evidence-based interventions at both health and community levels, and drawing on national and international best practices, while respecting available resources.
• Contributes to the design, implementation, learning, as well as monitoring and evaluation of the project, in close collaboration with the project teams and the government of Senegal and structures at central, regional levels, departmental and at the level of health establishments.
• Advises and provides technical support to program teams, partners and stakeholders, in accordance with Government of Senegal policies, U.S. government regulations, validated critical interventions and FHI 360 procedures.
• Maintains constant dialogue and regular technical exchanges with counterparts in the field as well as with the technical teams of implementing partners.
• Exercises strategic leadership on MNCH and nutrition policies and programs, in a manner consistent and complementary with other national MNCH and nutrition programs and existing coordination mechanisms.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with various stakeholders, in particular by ensuring regular exchanges with government institutions, partner organizations and donors.
• Participates in monitoring and evaluating program performance as well as developing reports. Identifies strategies to address knowledge and skills gaps in MNCH and nutrition activities, as well as among implementing partners, and proposing recommendations to address them.
• Contributes to policy development, advocacy and strategic planning at national and regional levels.
• Plays a key role in the timely production of high-quality technical deliverables —such as work plans, semi-annual reports, other reports and documents summarizing project results — ensuring their compliance with budgetary constraints and submission for approval within the allotted time frame.
• Supports project knowledge management, including the collection and synthesis of successes, good practices and lessons learned.
• Responds to customer requests and technical questions.
• Promotes project success by collecting, writing and disseminating success stories, case studies, photos and promoting at events.
• Attends informational events related to the project area or region to make contacts and gather information useful for project activities.
• Supports the performance management and professional development of direct reports, providing ongoing support and support for career progression.
• Performs any other tasks that may be assigned.

Knowledge and skills:

• In-depth knowledge of MNCH and nutrition programs and policies in Senegal.
• Experience in scaling successful models to improve the quality of clinical care in NIHB and nutrition activities.
• Proven ability to work within a multidimensional health development program, in collaboration with Ministry of Health staff and other local partners involved in MNCH and nutrition programs.
• Proven experience in mentoring and supervising to strengthen health services including training and use of quality improvement approaches.
• Experience leading medium to large teams of healthcare professionals.
• Experience in health programs funded by the United States government is strongly desired.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Ministry of Health, district and regional officials, and other implementing partners.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English.
• Excellent analytical skills
• Proven excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent and proven project management and technical skills.
• Ability to influence, motivate, negotiate and collaborate effectively with others.
• Proven ability to ensure budgets, schedules and performance requirements are met.
• Excellent leadership skills, recognized and demonstrated.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Problem solving and impact:

• Works on highly complex issues requiring in-depth analysis and evaluation of intangible factors.
• Demonstrates judgment in overall practices and policies to select methods and techniques to achieve results.

Hierarchical supervision:

• Reports to the EpiC Project Director.
• Provides direct supervision of a team of technical advisors and technical project managers.
• Directs and supervises staff to achieve the strategic objectives of the project.
• Coordinates with the Project Director and program managers to define budgets, set objectives and develop procedures and training necessary for the project.
• Develops and proposes project management solutions.

Training and experience:

• Master in Health, Nutrition, Social Sciences or a related field. Clinical experience combined with public health training is strongly desired.
• A certification in project management (PM) is preferred.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience in technical or project management (including at least 8 years in leadership positions, with a solid understanding of operational issues and/or experience in line management).
• Prior professional experience within a non-governmental organization (NGO) is desired.
• Previous professional experience with the US government is highly appreciated.

Usual physical requirements:

• Classic office environment.

• Ability to spend long hours in front of a computer screen and perform repetitive tasks on the keyboard.

• Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time.

Technologies to use:

• Personal computer, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype/TEAMS, email), office phone, mobile phone and printer/photocopier.

Travel:

• Up to 25% nationally.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restrictions the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be constructed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employwhereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding:FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantial findings of sexual abuse,exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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