Project Manager

Reference no. MC AFR 20-04-2011

Malaria Consortium Uganda is seeking an ambitious and dynamic individual to coordinate the implementation of a new malaria and health systems strengthening orientated project in Mbale district, eastern Uganda. The overall project aim is to work closely with key local partners to reduce the number of deaths from malaria, by improving the care that children with malaria and other severe childhood illnesses receive within the health system from community level through to health facility and hospital level. The project has a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation component to support the assessment of impact and to document learning to inform the wider scale up of interventions and as well as advocacy. The project is funded by Comic Relief UK spans a three year period, starting in June 2011.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the job would be to coordinate the Malaria Consortium Uganda Mbale project, ensuring the high quality of all planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities. To provide technical and implementation support to the field-based team and all field activities. To ensure effective documentation of project impact, as well as dissemination of learning from implementation, monitoring and evaluation and any operational research. To ensure ongoing consultation and feedback with the Ministry of Health (MoH)/ National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and other partners and stakeholders as relevant to the project scope and in accordance with its approach to understanding and influencing positive change in health.

The position will be based in the Kampala office in Uganda and will report to the Technical programme Coordinator .Travel will be required in country up to 60 % of time. A relocation package if required will be offered with this position.

The successful candidate would be responsible for the following duties:

• To coordinate and project manage all the activities under the Malaria Consortium Uganda Mbale project to include (but not limited to):
- Develop, and ensure effective and efficient management in line with, the approved project proposal, work plans and M&E plan and Malaria Consortium’s policies and guidelines.
- Technically line manage/ line manage the mbale project field team including the two Technical Officers and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer, based in Mbale.

• Oversee the implementation and ensure effective technical quality of all project activities including:
- Formative assessment, consultation and planning activities.
- A range of health worker training activities at all levels of the health system.
- Clinical audits relating to severe malaria at higher level health facilities.
- Support supervision, ongoing mentoring and external quality assurance activities at all levels of the health system.
- Activities to promote more efficient and effective referral systems.
- Provision of and supportive use of a range of medical and related supplies.
- A range of BCC activities in line with a BCC strategy to be developed.
- A range of advocacy and dissemination activities.

• Develop, review and revise yearly work plans in line with the agreed project scope and approach, feedback from key stakeholders, as well as approved National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) policy and approaches.
• Ensure effective quality implementation of the project’s monitoring and evaluation system including baseline and end line surveys, health facility quality of care surveys, training evaluations and stakeholder and partner consultations.
• Ensure a dynamic and innovative approach to learning and dissemination is established and institutionalised within the project.
• Ensure effective coordination with and capacity building support to key local partners as well as the Ministry of Health/ NMCP.
• Ensure effective coordination within and between the Malaria Consortium Uganda technical, administration and logistics, and finance teams.
• Develop annual budgets, and oversee project budget planning and expenditure
• Ensure effective financial and narrative reporting in accordance with donor and Malaria Consortium requirements.
• Provide effective support to all Comic Relief visits relating to both project planning, delivery and review, and for the purposes of Comic Relief fundraising and marketing.
• Identify external consultants, and oversee their hiring and management, as needed.
• In discussion with the Country Director, and according to Malaria Consortium guidelines, act as the project’s contact with the local and international media
• General support to the Malaria Consortium Uganda programme including (but not limited to):
• Technical and implementation support to other Malaria Consortium Uganda projects as required.
• Technical support to the MoH/NMCP and other partners in country as required
• Support to needs assessments and the development of project proposals as required.
• Support to Malaria Consortium Uganda health communications efforts including the documentation of case studies and success stories and the preparation and effective dissemination of project briefings.
• Representation of Malaria Consortium Uganda within local and international fora as appropriate and required.
• Actively participate as a member of the Malaria Consortium Uganda technical team.
• Adhere to all financial, administrative and security procedures of Malaria Consortium.
• Other duties as assigned by the line manager.


Qualifications and previous experience
Required

• A Masters degree in International Health, Epidemiology, Communicable Disease Control or Health Systems Research.
• Minimum of 3 years experience working in public health implementation or communicable disease control in Africa, preferably Uganda.
• Substantial experience in project management, including relating to effective coordination and communication, report writing, financial management, and human resource management.
• Demonstrable knowledge of good practice and innovative approaches in relation to malaria control and health systems strengthening, ideally within the Ugandan context.
• Demonstrable experience and capacity in effective monitoring and evaluation, including the design and conduct of surveys, data analysis and interpretation relating to both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, documentation and dissemination.
• Experience in designing and supervising behaviour change communications strategies.
• Experience in planning, implementing and reviewing advocacy activities or programmes.
• An orientation towards enquiry and learning, and an appreciation and understanding of approaches to foster systemic and sustainable change.
• Experience in fundraising and marketing in relation to international development programmes.
• Excellent diplomacy and stakeholder liaison skills, and experience in working in partnerships to deliver programmes.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent computer skills.

Desired

• Knowledge and experience of participatory development methodologies

Candidates who fully meet the above requirements should submit a detailed CV, a covering letter explaining how and why you are suited to the role, and the contact details of three referees quoting the reference number.
Interested applicants for the position should send their CV and cover letter via e-mail to
HR.Recruitment@malariaconsortium.org