Abt Associates Principal Associate/Chief of Party Job Vacancy in Ghana

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

MA/MBA with 15+ years of experience OR PhD with 10
– 15 years of experience OR the equivalent combination of education and
experience.

Job Responsibilities:

The upcoming USAID-funded PMI (“President’s
Malaria Initiative”) Project in Ghana will support the National Malaria
Control Program (NMCP) in the expansion of diverse areas of malaria
programming, including malaria case management, capacity building, antenatal
care services, malaria diagnostics, and routine monitoring of malaria data.

Under the supervision of a Portfolio Manager, the
Principal Associate / Chief of Party provides technical leadership, management,
and strategic direction for the Project. This position is responsible for
guiding senior technical staff and for ensuring the responsiveness and quality
of work along with efficient use of resources and achievement of results. The
Chief of Party has the final authority within the project team for decisions
related to technical, management, resource allocation and personnel issues, and
will be accountable for the successful implementation of all aspects of the
project.

Specific duties and responsibilities include the
following:

Provides leadership and strategic direction
for the entire project, resolves problems, and has overall responsibility and
accountability to USAID for ensuring that the Abt project team provides
high-quality technical products and services, delivers required results,
and uses resources efficiently.
Holds responsibility for project inputs,
project strategy, external representation and coordination with Project
counterparts, USAID, PMI, and other USG entities, Ghana Health Service and
NMCP contacts, other donors within the sector and other programs, as
necessary.
Ensures compliance with the project contract
requirements and the oversight of project interventions which will meet
the stated objectives of the project.
Meets with the USAID AOR on a regular basis to
keep him/her updated about the project.
Ensures the timely preparation and submission
of semi-annual, annual and other reports specified in the agreement.
Monitors the progress and pace of project
implementation, ensures that project performance meets the client’s
expectations, and brings to USAID’s attention any issues and concerns
regarding project implementation in a systematic and timely manner.
As the official representative of Abt
Associates, ensures the success of the project, and be liable for any
failure, on behalf of the organization.
Supervises the project’s Senior Management
Team and has the final authority within the Team for decisions related to
technical, management, resource allocation, and personnel issues.
Oversees all management/administrative reports
and monitoring and evaluation activities in accordance with a Performance
Monitoring Plan which monitors progress toward achieving the SO and
Intermediate Results.
Oversees all financial report activities,
including submission of quarterly reports detailing fund categories and
status for all activities.
In concert with the Technical Director, manages
short-term technical assistance resources.
Scans the environment and takes leadership
actions to maximize opportunities and to strengthen partnerships and
alliances
Clarifies roles, delegates responsibilities to
senior staff, communicates expectations for work and contribution to
project activities
Represents Abt Associates’ corporate interests
in Ghana.

Skills Prerequisites:

Master’s Degree (minimum), or a PhD
(desirable), in Public Health, Business Administration, Medicine, Social
Sciences, or other relevant field.
More than fifteen (15) years of relevant
professional experience designing, implementing and managing large and
complex health projects in developing or middle income countries —
relevant experience includes malaria prevention and control, antenatal
care services, case management for malaria (diagnosis and/or treatment;
facility-based and/or community-based), and capacity building for
supportive supervision or monitoring and evaluation.
Prior experience as a COP/DCOP of a multi-year
donor-funded public sector health project. USAID experience preferred.
Significant experience in scaling-up
interventions is highly desirable.
Demonstrated leadership skills and experience
in managing disease prevention and control interventions primarily through
a technical assistance approach.
Experience interacting with host county
governments and counterparts and international donor agencies at high
levels and civil society organizations.
Experience developing project vision, aligning
key stakeholders around that vision, and assuring that the vision is
translated into implementable strategies.
Ability to develop consensus among
stakeholders and to assure effective collaboration among development
partners.
Demonstrated ability to assure that
individuals and teams adhere to the highest standards of quality,
relevance and timeliness.
Fluency in written and spoken English is
required.
Ghana-specific or other West African
experience is preferred. -A Ghanaian national would be highly desirable.