Country: Benin
Closing date: 29 Feb 2016
University Research Co., LLC (URC)
URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.
Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.
URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (http://www.urc-chs.com/).
Roles and Responsibilities:
URC is seeking a chief of party to lead the Advancing Newborn, Child, and Reproductive Health (ANCRE) program in Benin. The program supports the Government of Benin to improve the quality and coverage of integrated family health services in both the public and private sector in order to reduce newborn, infant, child, and maternal morbidity and mortality. The position is based in Cotonou, Benin and is expected to be a three year assignment. The Chief of Party will:
• Provide vision, managerial oversight, and technical direction for the program--overseeing key personnel, long- and short-term technical assistance and program support, and partner organizations involved in program activities.
• Serve as the primary liaison with USAID/Benin on contract management and technical matters and adjust programs and operations in response to USAID/Benin contractual or technical direction from the Mission’s Agreement Officer and Agreement Officer’s Representative.
• Serve as URC’s representative to host country government, other donors and multinationals, technical agencies and other participating organizations, as required.
• Ensure that technical assistance and expertise provided under the contract is timely, responsive, and of high quality.
• Engage Ministry of Health officials across divisions to define their role in planning and encourage full participation in policy planning and development processes.
• Oversee the senior advisory team’s provision of technical support to the Government of Benin as needed.
• Report regularly to USAID Mission to ensure transparency and awareness of project development and implementation, remaining cognizant of problems as they arise
Minimum Qualifications:
Required Experience & Qualifications
• Medical degree and/or Master’s Degree in Public Health or a related field;
• Minimum of 12 years’ experience working in the health sector and successfully managing a large multi-disciplinary team to achieve development results;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing donor-funded projects from design to implementation to completion in developing countries preferably with some of the experience in Benin or West Africa;
• Minimum of 3 years’ preferred experience in the management of a health financing program;
• Demonstrated ability to lead and guide team in the timely completion of all required reporting and performance deliverables under a multi-million U.S. dollar contract;
• Required to have strong interpersonal, oral and written communication, and presentations skills in French and English;
• Be familiar with USAID or other USG administrative, management and reporting procedures and systems as required when managing a USAID-funded cooperative agreement.
Desired Experience & Qualifications
• Previous experience living and working in West Africa is strongly preferred;
Please note: Only candidates who are eligible to work in Benin for an indefinite period without a need for sponsorship will be considered for this position.
How to apply:
To Apply:
For immediate consideration, please visit URC’s Career Opportunities page at www.urc-chs.com/career-opportunities.
You must upload your CV/Résumé and your Cover Letter where indicated. Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAID Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well.
Due to the large number of inquiries we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. No phone calls please. However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you very much for your interest.
URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
We value and seek diversity in our workforce.