Technical Specialist / Deputy Chief of Party in Kenya

The International Health Division is committed to the improvement of health and healthcare delivery around the world. Serving both the public and private sectors, our efforts include health policy research and evaluation, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. Our impact is felt in policies that ensure healthcare access for women, children, and individuals with special needs, in strengthening health infrastructures, and HIV/AIDS solutions.

The Deputy Chief of Party, Technical (DCOP Tech) position provides leadership, and strategic management oversight for the project implementation. This position is responsible for the management of the project and for ensuring the responsiveness and quality or work along with efficient use of resources and achievement of results. The DCOP Tech supports the Chief of Party (COP) in decisions related to technical leadership and oversight to the project activities.

Roles and Responsibilities

Technical

1.Assist the COP in setting and pursuing a results-oriented program strategy in consultation with USAID, other partners and stakeholders. 2.Provide direct technical leadership and oversight to project activities under the project’s key technical areas: health information systems, organizational development/change management, capacity building, data quality assurance, and monitoring and evaluation. 3.Provide guidance and technical support to the COP on issues related to technical areas/functions and to ensure that all activities are consistence with accepted best practices. 4.Assist project teams to develop and implement innovative approaches to HIS, organizational development/change management, capacity building, data quality assurance, and monitoring and evaluation. 5.Assist in identifying and accessing technical resources within and for the project 6.Participate in international technical networks, meetings, and select technical working groups as appropriate to represent the project and ensure collaboration of relevant technical work. 7.Represent Abt Associates and the project to the USAID Mission, the host country government and other key stakeholders in conjunction with the COP.

Managerial

1.Guide the project strategic annual work planning for all technical areas, and ensures that quality operational plans, budgets, and reports are submitted as per contract agreements. 2.Manage all technical areas of the project and ensures adherence to the work plan 3.Supervise the Organizational Development/Change Management, HIS, and Capacity Building Advisors, and liaise with project partner staff. 4.Facilitate collaboration across output-area teams and with advisors 5.Provide input to the project’s research and monitoring and evaluation activities. 6.Develop documentation processes and capabilities to ensure documentation and dissemination of project results/activities* 7.Provide regular status and progress reports to USAID and Abt Associates, including developing quarterly and annual progress reports, and technical reports as needed. 8.Act in place of the COP when required. 9.Assist the DCOP, Operations with the design and operation of management systems and operating procedures for the implementation of project activities. 10.Provide inputs to the DCOP, Operations and finance and administration team necessary for project budget projections, expenditures, tracking and reporting. 11.Coordinate with the Portfolio Manager and Contract Administrator to assure that all managerial and administrative matters are communicated and actions comply with the provisions of the contract and with USAID in conjunction with the COP.

Team Work

1.Collaborate actively with project staff and stakeholders and promotes a culture of collaboration within the project. 2.Model persistence in finding solutions to challenges and achieving results. 3.Foster innovation in program approaches and implementation. 4.Demonstrate respect when working with project staff and stakeholders by honoring different perspectives, experiences, and needs. 5.Demonstrate professionalism at all times by attending to quality, timeliness, and integrity. 6.Contribute to and encourages a fun and relaxed working environment.

Competencies

1.Leading Change (Optional for senior leaders) 2.Communicate a vision that inspire others to follow and that is consistent with the project’s and MoH’s larger vision of health information system reform. 3.Directly and openly address the concerns and issues caused by change. 4.Engage in collective thinking with others that enables new possibilities and new solutions to emerge. 5.Performance Monitoring and Feedback 6.Communicate clear performance expectations of others, and hold self and others accountable for results. 7.Enable others to take action by appropriately delegating authorities, providing sufficient resources, and checking on progress of agreed upon tasks. 8.Provide positive feedback to reinforce good performance and resolves issues associated with inadequate or poor performance. 9.Decision Making 10.Solicit input from others before making a decision in order to generate buy-in for decisions, and encourage staff to express differences of opinion. 11.Clearly communicate decisions in a timely manner. 12.Results and accountability oriented 13.Demonstrate a desire to address the needs and challenges of internal and external clients.
14.Take personal responsibility for being responsive and timely in meeting colleagues’ and clients’ stated needs and completing work and results they commit to deliver. 15.Building and sharing expertise 16.Use available resources to build knowledge and proactively shares knowledge with others 17.Ensure proper documentation of all stages of a project; document lessons learned from own experiences and apply to own work. 18.Apply expertise and experience to proactively innovate and challenge the status quo.

Minimum Qualifications:

10+ years of experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills Prerequisites:

Masters degree in information technology field, with additional IT certifications preferred Ten+ years of experience with preferred eight years experience working in information systems policy design and program implementation At least 5 years of senior project management experience in large international health projects/programs, including experience managing USAID-funded projects. Demonstrated leadership in management skills and ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, ministry officials, and other development partners. Experience developing and communicating a project vision, aligning key stakeholders around the vision, and assuring the vision is translated into an efficiently implemented program. Knowledge of one or more software development methodologies; preference is given to ITIL or AGILE methodologies, with certification of said training. Evidence of said knowledge will be tested or requested. Experience in advanced computer programming or management of individual software developers, developer teams, or development companies. Experience working with health sector information systems is preferred Experience generating, reviewing, and administering IT-related contracts, Service Level Agreements (SLA), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Strong project management skills Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, multi-task Fluency in English, Kiswahili and other Kenyan languages

How to apply: 

To apply to this position, please email your CV to kenyajobs@abtassoc.com with the job title in the subject line.