Location:Jinja, Uganda
Project Overview:
University Research Co., LLC (URC) is implementing the USAID’s Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in East Central Uganda Activity (USAID’s RHITES EC). The purpose of this project is to support the implementation of a comprehensive, integrated investment in regional health, HIV/AIDS and nutrition assistance. This five-year activity targets 12 districts in East-Central Uganda with an estimated total population of 4.1 million through a district-based integrated package of quality health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and child development services. URC is seeking qualified candidates to fill the following positions.
Regional Program Manager
Reports to: Director Health Systems Strengthening
Supervises:
Directly – District Program Officers in the cluster; and clinicians, counsellors, driver and hub riders in the designated district.
Administratively – in collaboration with the technical advisors, SBCC Program Officer, M&E Officer, HIV/TB Care Specialist, Program Officer-PMTCT/RMNCH, Finance and Administrative Officer and District Linkages Officer (in the designated district).
Location: District Based offices which could be Kamuli, Iganga or Bugiri
Job purpose: The Regional Program Manager will guide and oversee implementation of the USAID’s RHITES-EC Program for all the technical areas in the Cluster/sub-region, including; TB, Malaria, HIV Care and Treatment, HIV Behavioral Prevention, VMMC, Nutrition and WASH, PMTCT, RMNCH, Laboratory Systems, Supply Chain Management, Community Linkages, Youth and Gender, Social Behavior Communication, Family Planning, Human Resources for Health, and District Stewardship and Coordination. He/she will also oversee the cluster and district-based finance and administration functions of the USAID’s RHITES-EC Program and manage relationships with partners and respective districts in East Central Uganda. The incumbent will also be the project’s program liaison person at an assigned district, embedded in the District Health Management Team (DHT).
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Management and Supervision
- Supervise financial and administrative activities including conducting staff appraisals, reviewing and approving financial and administrative requests and accountabilities
- Support development and timely submission of work plans and budgets
- Supervise the allocated cluster and district-based staff to ensure that the implemented activities are responsive to the needs of the program
- Review and improve technical strategies employed to ensure the USAID’s RHITES EC project work plan is adhered to and implemented with measurable success
- Provide decentralized management, coaching, and technical assistance to the Project staff, DHTs, health facility staff and district-based civil society counterparts in their assigned districts and health facilities.
- Review and Monitor sub-granting process to the CSOs and follow-up accountability of the grants in liaison with grants officer and program officers
- Develop and maintain a competent & motivated team of cluster and district teams through implementing HR support activities in line with the Human Resources manual
- Will be members of the project Senior Management Team and will be expected to attend relevant SMT meetings and contribute to project management decisions.
- Technical support
- Support the submission of quality and accurate technical requests and reports at all the required times.
- Work with the Technical Advisors, Specialists and Program officers to support healthcare facility teams to improve delivery of quality HIV, TB, MNCH, Malaria, FP, Nutrition and WASH, Laboratory and Supply Chain services at all levels of healthcare through support supervision and mentoring.
- Ensure that cross-cutting themes like gender, health workforce development and leadership are well integrated into activities.
- Support the integration of quality improvement approaches into health services delivery at the health facilities within the districts and health facilities.
- In collaboration with the KM staff, support the process of documenting best practices in form of case studies, success stories, abstracts, video clips in addition to the routine biweekly updates, quarterly and annual reports
- Hold regular activities to assess and build necessary competencies amongst the technical team supporting districts and health facilities.
- In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation team ensure that data collected is accurate and valid and captures process and outcome indicators
- Ensure proper implementing coordination at district and health facility levels, working the District Health Teams in the respective districts.
- Closely support the project M&E team, and individual project staff in ensuring reporting of district and health facility results on weekly , monthly and a quarterly basis as deemed appropriate
- Prudently manage project funds and financial processes at community, health facility & district levels
- Ensure that the laboratory hub system function effectively and efficiently at all times.
- Develop and monitor the implementation of the capacity building plans based on clear identified needs i.e. training, mentorship, and support supervision programs as well as retooling plan (materials, working tools & space) which includes refurbishment of appropriate infrastructures as per the various program objectives
- District and Health Facility Support
Work with the project district-based and health facility-based teams to:
- Build and manage relations with the respective districts through regular engagement, coordination meetings and joint review of plans and activities
- Develop, manage and implement work plans.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships and networks with district key stakeholders and other partner organizations involved in programs and advocate for a comprehensive, relevant and harmonized interventions in the region in line with various program
- Support the delivery of quality services and integration of quality improvement approaches into health services delivery at the health facilities within the districts.
- Develop and monitor the implementation of strategy for strengthening the referral system from village level using VHTs/ community stake holders to various levels of health facilities as well as the Regional Referral Hospital in line with MoH referral structure
- Any other duties assigned by your supervisor.
Required Experience and Qualifications
- A Master’s degree in Public Health or related field”. Additional Medical Qualification or HIV training will be an added advantage
- At least 10 years’ work experience in health program management preferably with 3 years at managerial level in a reputable government institution/NGO with proven ability to coordinate activities of different stakeholders at a national level.
- Broad knowledge and understanding of the Ugandan health care system, particularly the public health system (district health services) and good knowledge of relevant community support structures.
- Ability and willingness to travel within the supported districts.
- Self-motivated and result-oriented person.
- Experience in managing quality improvement interventions and technical/institutional capacity building programs
Other desired attributes:
- Experience with USAID, PEPFAR and or other donor projects; experience collaborating and developing partnerships with Ministries of Health/National Programs, District Local Governments, donors, NGOs, and/or other stakeholders on HIV/TB and/or RMNCH initiatives in alignment with national strategic plans; experience working within Uganda is strongly preferred; and excellent written and oral communication skills.
Application Procedure: Qualified applicants should hand deliver OR send via E-mail: HR-RHITES-EC@urc-chs.com their complete applications with a cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of academic credentials and contact information for 3 professional references by Friday, February 5th, 2021 at 2: 00p.m addressed to:
Senior Human Resource Officer
University Research Co., LLC – Centre for Human Services
Plot 1 Bridge Lane, Mpumudde Division
P.O. Box 5053, Jinja, Uganda
Tel: +256 (0) 393 217 617, +256 200 300 900
While we thank all applicants for showing interest. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.