Reporting to the Country Director Sierra Leone, the Malaria Program Manager will help shape CHAI’s overall malaria strategy for the country, develop clear operational plans for execution, and continually identify opportunities for CHAI to add value and maximize impact. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of ongoing effort to build up a targeted, impact-driven CHAI malaria program in Sierra Leone.

The successful candidate will manage all operational and programmatic aspects of CHAI Sierra Leone’s malaria work, act as a trusted partner to government health officials and partners and facilitate the involvement of CHAI’s regional technical teams in execution of high-impact programs designed to reduce malaria mortality and morbidity. S/he will have deep personal commitment to producing results, the skills to navigate political situations, and patience and optimism even in the face of daunting challenges. The Program Manager must be a highly motivated, entrepreneurial individual with outstanding people and program management, problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills. S/he must be fluent in English and have excellent relationship building and communication skills. S/he must also be able to function independently with minimal oversight and have a strong commitment to excellence with a keen attention to detail.

CHAI places great value on relevant personal qualities including resourcefulness, tenacity, independence, patience, humility, and strong work ethic.

Responsibilities

In close collaboration with CHAI’s country and regional management as well as technical teams, oversee and implement CHAI’s overall malaria strategy in Sierra Leone

Develop clear annual country work plans and ensure strong execution of the country program to make sure that CHAI achieves intended results

Assist NMCP to successfully plan and build the necessary systems and processes to effectively execute the national malaria strategy; identify key impediments and mobilize CHAI and partner resources to develop solutions to rapidly address bottlenecks. Specific activities may include leading CHAI’s effort to:

Strengthen the surveillance system, with the goal of ensuring timely and accurate reporting of malaria data from health facilities and community health care workers and that all data is appropriately stored and managed to inform an effective response

Strengthen the execution of vector control and other active interventions

Strengthen malaria case management systems to ensure that all suspected cases are rapidly diagnosed and appropriately treated (in public and private sectors)

Update guidelines, policies, and plans to align with global technical recommendations

Update operational plans and associated training materials to build government capacity and support effective execution of malaria interventions

Continually identify new opportunities together with the NMCP for CHAI to add value and maximize impact

Demonstrate leadership and directly manage all malaria program team members in country, including supporting recruitment.

Coordinate efforts with malaria partners, and identify and establish additional partnerships as appropriate

Assist NMCP to identify potential sources and mobilization of additional funding to address any potential gaps preventing robust implementation of national malaria strategic plan

Develop compelling communication materials including reports and PowerPoint presentations and represent CHAI at public forums and partner meetings

In close coordination with CHAI’s malaria global team, draft quarterly country progress reports for donors and internal leadership

Oversee the financial management of the country program, including budget planning and management

Any other tasks as identified by the country leadership.

Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Business Administration or related field strongly preferred; or Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of work experience with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership
• Experience planning and executing complex programs or projects with verifiable results
• Experience in strategy development, planning, and project implementation
• Experience working and communicating with government officials and multilateral organizations

Skills:

• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, team building and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable in peer relationships with senior managers and leadership at the Ministry of Health, including civil servants and other senior government officials
• Ability to navigate complex government processes
• Ability to favorably influence decision making processes in a diplomatic and collaborative manner
• Ability to work independently without extensive structural or operational support from line manager
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, delegate and work independently
• Ability to be effective in high-pressure situations and work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment
• Ability be patient and to achieve maximum efficiency and impact with limited human and financial resources
• Strong mentor, manager, role model and team player who demands 100% performance from self and entire team
• Excellent business-oriented oral and written communication skills
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed
• Fluency in English language, both written and oral

Advantages

• Knowledge of malaria or other global infectious diseases
• Experience living or working in West Africa
• Previous CHAI experience
• Fluency in Krio or other local languages of Sierra Leone