Independent Contractor, Country Program Manager

VITAMIN ANGELS
Position Description
Position:    Independent Contractor, Country Program Manager

Location:  Uganda

Employer: The Vitamin Angels Alliance, Inc. (VA)

Role or Purpose of Position
VA seeks to expand micronutrient distribution services, especially vitamin A supplementation (VAS) services in Uganda by engaging an Independent Contractor (e.g., Consultant) to identify, primarily, interested indigenous, non-governmental organizations (NGO) in Uganda. Once identified, the consultant will provide these NGOs with micronutrients and appropriate technical assistance to grow into a loosely affiliated micronutrient distribution system that delivers essential micronutrient products to under-nourished women of reproductive age and pre-school children – preferably as one component of a more robust health and nutrition program already operated by each partner NGO.

 

In practical terms, VA seeks a Consultant to identify and work with local partners (e.g., preferably those in the NGO sector) willing to accept responsibility for the problem of micronutrient deficiency and implement a locally sustainable micronutrient distribution system of their own design to address under-nutrition. This system should operate, preferably, concurrent with health/nutrition services they already offer to the public OR other non-health services that present a unique and innovative opportunity to achieve micronutrient distribution among at-risk women of reproductive age and pre-school children in need of nutrition services. Under limited circumstances, VA may help a governmental authority to launch micronutrient distribution services, but only in conjunction with a NGO partner with local operations.

 

VA seeks to advance micronutrient distribution services that are: i) evidence-based, ii) planned and designed consistent with internationally accepted best practices adapted to local needs, iii) coordinated to the extent feasible with other parallel health/nutrition activities already ongoing by governmental or NGO groups to avoid unnecessary overlap, iv) conformant with VA’s strategic plan and VA’s guidelines for universal supplementation projects, and v) consistent with the legal requirements of the country in which micronutrient distribution is to be undertaken. The Consultant’s key responsibilities are:

 

i)      Advocacy – to advocate with local institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as appropriate, for their participation in efforts to incorporate universal and targeted micronutrient supplementation as a component to comprehensive health and nutrition services for under-nourished women and children,

 

ii)     Planning – to create, consistent with VA’s strategic and operational plans, a country strategy and implementation plans that reveal how the Consultant will: identify potential micronutrient distribution partners comprised primarily of indigenous NGOs, activate micronutrient distribution services by individual distribution partners (i.e., grantees to VA), coordinate micronutrient distribution activities among distribution partners to ensure smooth operation of sourcing and deployment of micronutrient and other supplies (from VA) to the network of distribution partners, and expand – gradually – the network of distribution partners in a manner that is coordinated with local governmental authorities and consistent with best public health practices,

 

iii)    Identification and activation of micronutrient distribution services by individual distribution partners – to screen potential partners, gain agreement from primarily NGOs qualified to participate as a micronutrient distribution partner, and help each partner to activate micronutrient distribution services,

 

iv)    Deployment of resources committed by VA for program/project implementation – to mobilize and deploy resources committed by VA (e.g., personnel, financial, in-kind donations) to activate the delivery of micronutrient distribution services by the distribution partner,

 

v)     Technical assistance – to provide local distribution partners with requisite technical services or arrange for VA’s technical services department to provide comprehensive technical assistance (e.g., training, periodic monitoring, and on-going follow-up/problem solving assistance) needed to activate and maintain high quality micronutrient distribution service delivery by all local distribution partners consistent with VA and internationally accepted best public health practice, by providing follow-up support, training, and technical assistance

 

vi)    Provision of local administrative and financial oversight to VA activities – to ensure application of appropriate financial and administrative controls and procedures to VA sponsored activities in the country,

 

vii)   Local coordination – to liaise with all local VA implementation partners, grantees, technical counterpart agencies, and governmental authorities in furtherance of VA’s country programming activities consistent with evidenced-based practices and local law.

 

S/he applies expertise in all aspects of program design, management and implementation while working to promote, exemplify and further the mission[1], values and culture of VA.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Required and Desired)

 

Required:

• B.A./B.Sc degree from an accredited four year university with a degree in public health, or a related field,
• Masters degree or higher in public health, community medicine or a related discipline,
• Minimum two years experience performing program administration,
• Substantial field level work experience with NGOs in Uganda,
• Existing network of contacts with many different NGOs in Uganda,
• Existing network of contacts within international, bilateral, and government agencies in Uganda
• Computer literacy, including experience working with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and able to input data to an online database after training,
• Based in metropolitan area with easy access to local/international transportation,
• Willing to work from home and has reliable telephone/internet connectivity in the home,
• Willing and able to travel domestically and internationally during consultancy,
• Superior written and oral communications skills,
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail, and
• Fluent in English
• Fluent in local language(s)

Highly desirable:• Minimum two years experience providing technical assistance to NGOs
• Experience conducting training workshops to health care providers,
• Documentable network of contacts in public health and development which consultant can use to facilitate a successful consultancy.
 

CHALLENGES OF THE POSITION

 

The challenge to individuals hired as an Independent Consultant to Vitamin Angels is functioning in an environment characterized by autonomy and managing long distance communication with the VA home office. On an ongoing basis, the main challenge to the Independent Consultant, Country Program Manager is an ability to thrive in an environment that requires significant self-initiative, collaboration among many team members both internal and external to VA, and an ability to work effectively and efficiently with VA staff situated several time zones different and accessible only by phone, Skype, and email. 

 

 

Please send a cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae to Programs@vitaminangels.org

 

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[1]Our mission is to mobilize and deploy private sector resources to advance availability, access and use of micronutrients, especially vitamin A, among at-risk populations in need.