Deputy Project Director (D/Project Director) Job Vacancy in SPS/Afghanistan

Overall Responsibilities
The Deputy assists the Project Director in coordinating and managing program activities for the Afghanistan SPS Associate Award. S/he provides oversight on assigned program components especially those related to supply chain management operational and development activities. S/he assists in coordinating the development, update and implementation of the Associate Award country work plans and budgets to ensure attainment of the program goals and objectives in line with the program results framework.

The Deputy assists the Project Director in program communications with the local USAID Mission as well as with Government counterparts, stakeholders, and partners involved with pharmaceutical management activities and/or implementing related programs in the country. The D/Project Director provides strategic technical guidance and works closely with the Project Director, the US-based Portfolio Manager, CPM home office technical and operational staff, as well as other MSH projects in the country to ensure that SPS plans and activities effectively address priority pharmaceutical and commodity management needs of the country. S/he supports the Project Director in ensuring the timely and quality delivery of Program products and activities and supervises assigned in-country staff.

Specific Responsibilities
1. Assist the Project Director in maintaining verbal and written communications with the USAID health team and, as appropriate, represent the SPS/Afghanistan program in meetings with external partners including the Ministry of Public Health, MSH projects in Afghanistan, as well as with other relevant collaborating agencies ensuring the identification and coordination of commodity management priorities in Afghanistan.
2. Assist the Project Director in coordinating the development and the update process of annual program plans and budgets for SPS Afghanistan in close consultation with the local Program Advisors and Officers, as well as with relevant CPM technical resources ensuring their consistency with CPM strategies and technical frameworks; also coordinate their reviews with the respective US-based Portfolio Manager.
3. Coordinate the development, update and implementation of the Associate Award performance monitoring plan (PMP) in consultation with the local Program M&E Specialist, the CPM M&E Deputy Director and the US-based Portfolio Manager, ensuring its consistency with the Associate Award Results framework and with CPM overarching M&E strategies.
4. In collaboration with the Project Director, manage the implementation of program technical activities ensuring that they achieve the expected results and are adequately and timely implemented; also are responsive to the needs and expectations of local partners; do contribute to a clear health system strengthening approach; and have clear strategies to sustain them through local ownership.
5. Collaborate with the Project Director in identifying quantitative and qualitative capacity gaps amongst SPS program technical staff; develop and coordinate the implementation of mentoring and capacity building plans ensuring that these gaps are addressed and that technical staff have the adequate capacity to deliver required technical assistance.
6. Work closely with the Project Director to develop the technical assistance plan required to support the implementation of program activities; and coordinate with CPM/Arlington to ensure the adequate and timely mobilization of the required technical assistance resources.
7. Collaborate with USAID and the DELIVER program (or other USAID designated procurement mechanisms) to ensure that all commodity needs of the program are adequately quantified, procured and delivered to the program minimizing risks of stock outs and expiries at the program warehouse.
8. Oversee the local Drug Management Unit of the SPS/Afghanistan Program ensuring that appropriate procedures are in place for the receipt, storage, inventory and distribution of the different medicines and commodities to safeguard all products and to ensure their timely and appropriate availability for the intended beneficiaries.
9. Monitor program trainings and personal and institutional capacity building activities, and collaborate with CPM Director for capacity building and performance improvement (or designee) to ensure that such activities are integral to an overall capacity building strategy and are closely monitored and measured in terms of outcomes to ensure their achievement of their intended objectives.
10. Work closely with the local M&E Specialist and with Afghanistan Program Managers, to support the Project Director in ensuring the timely development of regular activity updates and their timely submission to the USG Afghanistan team; also develop quarterly, annual progress as well as ad-hoc reports commensurate with Mission requirements and MSH/CPM reporting. Working with other team members in Kabul and Arlington, the D/Project Director will assure the timely and quality production of program deliverables.
11. Assist the Associate Award Project Director as needed in the development and the oversight of a knowledge management plan that assures appropriate dissemination of program results and success stories through presentations in public forums, conferences, journals, posters, or newsletters.
12. Assist the Project Director as needed in matters related to the day-to-day country office operations, including coordination with COMU and liaison with home office to ensure that all program logistics, contracts, letters of agreement, and approvals are adequately in place to support program activities; while ensuring adherence to USAID and MSH management and accounting procedures.
13. Supervise assigned staff through regular meetings to track work progress and to provide guidance necessary for ensuring consistent quality of work performed and adherence to MSH policies, guidelines, and values. Approve time sheets, conduct Performance Plans and Reviews, and promote staff skills and knowledge. Liaise with the Project Director and HR to identify and recommend local staffing needs ensuring that MSH administrative procedures for hiring are adequately adhered to.
14. In the absence of the Project Director, perform all functions as Acting Project Director.
15. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
1. Advanced degree in a health related field, preferably pharmacist or physician qualification, with additional qualification in management, public health, or a related discipline required.
2. Experience with public health programs supported by bilateral agencies such as USAID or other international agencies working in the health sector, is strongly desirable.
3. Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical management challenges faced in resource-limited settings.
4. Demonstrated managerial and organizational skills in a developmental setting with flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a culturally diverse staff, clients, and consultants.
6. Proficiency in English with strong writing skills is required. Knowledge of local languages is desirable.
7. Demonstrated intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
8. Good understanding and/or previous experience working in Afghanistan or the region is strongly preferred.
9. Ability and availability to travel within Afghanistan and internationally as needed.
Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

How to apply:
To apply for this position, please visit the Employment Opportunities section of our website at https://jobs-msh.icims.com/jobs/4647/job . If you cannot apply online or have difficulty doing so, please email an explanation of your problem to iRecruiterproblem@msh.org.

Closing Date: Thursday, 05 April 2012