MATERNAL INFANT YOUNG CHILD NUTRITION PROJECT MANAGER, ETHIOPIA

MATERNAL INFANT YOUNG CHILD NUTRITION PROJECT MANAGER, ETHIOPIA

The Project Manager will provide senior management and strategic support to the Ethiopia Country Director in implementing GAIN’s country level strategy for the IYCN portfolio.  The Project Manager will work closely with the Ethiopian Government, partners and other civil society organizations to achieve impact through home fortification practice as part of the promotion of optimal IYCN.  This includes working with the government to facilitate a supportive stakeholder and policy environment, driving impact though regular supervision and monitoring of the project, accelerating growth in coverage through improved products, explore and support various delivery channels for the project, and leading education, demand creation and community level behavior change regarding home fortification.    

Responsibilities

Project Management                

• Accountable for the overall management of the Ethiopia Maternal Infant Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) projects with primary project management, reporting technical and financial documentation responsibilities for all GAIN, donor and Government of Ethiopia requirements.
• Manage the integrated home fortification project in phases and ensure that appropriate public and private delivery channels are identified and properly tested to optimize the reach of multi-nutrient product.
• Closely follow up with project partners responsible for implementing and technical assistant and undertake regular supervision to ensure the smooth running of the project with clear project deliverables and reporting system.
• Collaborates with the Country Director, Initiative Director and Portfolio Management and Delivery team on program strategy, communications and implementation of all project components including effective performance management of sub-contractors and technical consultants.
• Responsible for timely convening, facilitation and associated documentation of project governance teams, guidance and strategic recommendations on the project, providing effective leadership for decisions and actions with Geneva HQ initiative and country teams.
• Collaborates with Monitoring, Learning and Research (MLR) team to develop a framework to closely monitor program impact and oversee the successful implementation of the research to populate the learning agenda.
• Responsible for overall reporting of the program progress reports including monthly, quarterly and annual reports for internal GAIN and government requirements.
• Ensure accurate and timely management of the funds and track budget utilization and proper financial reporting, with support from the Senior Associate, MSI Program Support and Finance team.
• Visits the field regularly to ensure that project progress is on track and risk mitigation plan is up to date.

Policy and Advocacy

• Collaborates with the Policy & Advocacy (P&A) team and the Country Director to develop key government partnerships and facilitate key stakeholder alignment.
• Ensures the timely drafting and execution of partnership agreements with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health and partners.
• Engage key government sectors including the regulatory body to develop, revise and harmonize appropriate policies, directives, standards and guidelines on multi-nutrient supplements and products.   
• Collaborates with Country Director, MSI Director, Program Portfolio Management team and P&A global team to mobilize civil society, community networks and align with the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement. 

Demand Creation and Delivery

• Explore and support various public and private delivery channels to improve coverage and demand.
• With support from GAIN HQ Communications and MSI teams, facilitates the development of communication materials, social marketing activities and communication campaigns in collaboration with partners to drive product compliance.
• Collaborates with partners to educate and influence key opinion leaders, medical professionals and Associations on the importance of home fortification products.

Experience

• Minimum of fifteen years of experience in a leadership / management position, including five years in a senior management position within international development. 
• Demonstrated success in building and managing multi-disciplinary teams in challenging program environments.
• Strong understanding of public health.
• Experience of delivering an integrated nutrition / IYCN program highly desirable. 
• Experience in a global, multicultural organization.
• Experience working in a public/private partnership environment highly desirable.

Skills & Attributes

• Proven leadership and management capabilities.
• Excellent project management capabilities.
• Strong communication and advocacy skills.
• High level of professionalism and integrity.
• Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgment, expert problem solving, and creativity.
• Computer literacy with good Excel, MS Word, Outlook, and Power Point skills.
• Fluent written and verbal English and a good command of Amharic.

Education

• A Master’s Degree in health, nutrition, food science, business administration, or a suitable equivalent is required.
• Diploma or equivalent certification in project management highly desirable.

Other requirements

• A willingness and ability to travel extensively.

Application: http://jobs.gainhealth.org/vacancies/151/