Program manager At Helen Keller International

Position background

Founded in 1915 by Helen Keller, Helen Keller International works to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Helen Keller Intl is headquartered in New York and currently offers programs in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, and the United States. The organization combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by implementing programs based on evidence and research.

The Program Manager (PR) for Health and Nutrition coordinates and manages all Helen Keller Intl programs in Madagascar. He/she supervises the program teams.

Helen Keller Int’l in Madagascar plans to open an office between June and July to initially implement vitamin A supplementation programs. These programs consist of giving children aged 6-59 months a dose of vitamin A every six months. This administration is done during mass distribution campaigns and in routine health services. Helen Keller Int’l therefore provides financial and technical support to the Ministry of Health at the national and regional level. Helen Keller Int’l will support 6 regions of Madagascar for these programs.

The PR will therefore focus initial efforts on vitamin A supplementation programs. Subsequently, under the coordination of the Country Director, the PR will support the definition of other programs, the writing of proposals and the implementation of new health and nutrition programs.

The RP is mainly in charge of the definition, implementation, monitoring and reporting of vitamin A supplementation programs (VAS), which are the first programs to be implemented by Helen Keller in Madagascar, but must also participate in national coordination for health and nutrition and may, on an ad hoc basis, participate in health and nutrition activities not directly related to VAS. Once VAS programs are implemented and effective, the PR will be in charge of diversifying Helen Keller’s activities in coordination with the DP.

Under the direct supervision of the Country Director with a close technical link with the regional and global teams, the RP will work in close collaboration with all the members of the Global team which supports the projects, in particular the professionals of public health, management, finance and compliance. Helen Keller has a matrix report structure. Regular communication and a team spirit between colleagues, both hierarchically and laterally, are essential to make this structure flourish.

This position requires frequent travel to areas where Helen Keller conducts business. Regional travel may also be required to other countries where Helen Keller is active.

The main objectives are:

• Ensure proper program management
• Ensure the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs
• Supervise program teams.
• Ensure coordination with health authorities and relevant partners in the areas of health and nutrition

Specific responsibilities

Manage VAS programs effectively

• Develop the action plan and related budget for VAS activities.
• Supervise and monitor compliance with schedules and budgets during the implementation of activities.
• Ensure adherence to all Helen Keller Intl procedures in accordance with the Internal Procedures Manual.
• Collaborate with technical managers to recruit, supervise and evaluate the team with input from these managers. Establish an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.
• Work with staff to achieve goals and ensure accountability to beneficiaries, partners, colleagues and donors by providing continuous feedback in a context of mutual respect.
• Coach staff and engage in regular performance conversations.
• Prepare the required technical and financial reports, monthly and/or annual according to request and needs.

Collaboration model for your matrix team: effectively consult and brief colleagues to maximize efficiency and knowledge sharing and incorporate advice and guidance from subject matter experts in your department and elsewhere in the global organization to maximize performance .

Promote optimal performance of VAS programs.

• Define the VAS strategy for the country, a logical framework, an implementation plan and review these documents on an annual basis to adapt them to needs if necessary.
• Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation system to ensure regular collection of all relevant data.
• Develop the tools and guides needed to support the program, including training modules, social mobilization tools, advocacy tools and technical guides.
• Actively participate in national and provincial coordination related to VAS

Coordination and representation at national and sub-national levels with the Ministry of Health and stakeholders.

• Actively participate in relevant national and provincial forums for VAS and micronutrients
• Actively participate in relevant health and nutrition coordination forums to ensure the visibility of Helen Keller at the national level and support the country’s development efforts in these two areas.
• Communicate regularly with key VAS actors at national and provincial level: Ministry of Health, regional health divisions, UNICEF, and all other relevant actors.

Work with the External Relations Department and/or Portfolio Development Unit to support Country Offices in developing proposals, briefing notes and success stories to share with internal and external audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Holder of a Master’s degree in Public Health or Master’s degree in Nutrition or equivalent;
• Professional experience of at least ten (10) years in the management of Nutrition projects/programs preferably in an international NGO;
• Experience in relations with the government, Non-Governmental Organizations;
• Experience in scaling up Nutrition programs, particularly in complex environments;
• Experience in strategic planning, project management and budgeting;
• Have experience in organizing and supervising mass nutrition or health activities;
• Experience in conducting coverage surveys would be a plus;
• Experience in leading and supervising teams;
• Mastery of computer tools is mandatory: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook ODK, ONA, STATA and web browsers;
• Have very good interpersonal relationships;
• Be able to solve problems;
• Be able to work in a complex environment.

How to apply

To apply

Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and curriculum vitae to [email protected]. indicating the position title in the subject. Applications will be accepted until May 19, 2023.

Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity of all genders is fully valued.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, race, caste, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic that does not does not affect the ability to perform the required tasks.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.

If you are a qualified person with a disability and need to request accommodation during the job application or interview process, please contact us at the above email address or by phone: Madagascar.recruitment @ hki.org

HELEN KELLER INTL

• DOES NOT ASK ANY FEES DURING THE ENTIRE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (HIRE REQUEST, TEST, INTERVIEWS, PROCESSING OF FILE OR TRAINING)
• DOES NOT ASK FOR CANDIDATE BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION
• DO NOT RECRUIT THROUGH A RECRUITMENT AGENCY