The position will be based in Freetown, with frequent travel to project sites. They will report directly to the Team Leader.

Actual hiring is contingent upon successful activity award and FCDO approval. Sierra Leonean nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

Collaborate closely with the Team Leader to ensure strategic project direction and the provision of high-quality technical assistance.

Lead the technical team to implement project activities, providing technical and program oversight and supervision in the design and day-to-day management of activities, coordinating implementation of activities, and including ensuring that necessary project planning, development, resource availability, procurement, and management activities function smoothly and efficiently.

Work with MoHS subnational personnel to create action plans for implementation of project activities and tools for monitoring performance; to refine policies and accountability tools for health systems; and to advise on human resources allocation, training, and deployment.

Work collaboratively with the project team and headquarters staff to ensure proper technical reporting, spending, and compliance.

Work with health care providers, local authorities, community members and project team members to identify service delivery issues that impede access to care and uptake of services, and advocate for solutions.

Collaborate closely with project partners and FCDO to refine and adjust technical approaches and annual work plans. Manage technical contributions of partners, including defining scopes of work and reviewing and collating partner data and achievements.

Provide input on systems indicators relevant to project performance and work closely with the M&E Director to track project indicators, and performance outputs and outcomes.

Liaise and coordinate with MOH, professional associations, and technical working groups to devise strategies, policies, and approaches for improving health functions.

Represent the project at external technical events, including conferences, webinars, etc.

Coordinate with project communication staff to document successes, lessons learned, challenges in implementation, best practices, and milestones.

Support the development of quarterly and annual reports for the donor, as well as other reporting requirements as requested.

Serve as interim Team Leader in the absence of the Team Leader.

Conduct frequent visits to program implementation sites.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in public health, international development, or a related field is required.

Minimum of 8 years of experience in the public health sector, or in program management for international development projects, including field experience with large, complex, and integrated public health projects in developing countries. Experience in Sierra Leone is preferable.

At least 2 years of prior experience as a Deputy Team Leader or equivalent (preferably on an FCDO-funded project).

Demonstrated technical expertise in multiple areas of global health, including, but not limited to, family planning and reproductive health, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, and health systems strengthening.

Experience overseeing development and implementation of M&E and knowledge management strategies relevant to international public health projects.

Deep knowledge of the health context of Sierra Leone required, with experience working in Sierra Leone strongly preferred.

Working knowledge of and prior experience with FCDO awards, rules, regulations, and compliance standards.

Familiarity with FCDO’s administrative, management and reporting procedures and systems.

Experience collaborating and coordinating with local and national host government agencies and aligning program activities and results with national strategies.

Demonstrated ability to operate at advanced levels of authority and accountability for achieving results.

Proven record managing a project team composed of several technical experts and fostering teamwork.

Strong presentation, reporting, and communication (both oral and written) skills.

Leadership capacity and experience supervising teams of diverse staff, with the ability to promote an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with FCDO, host-country counterparts and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector.

Excellent English oral and written communication skills required.