Project Manager, Primary and Secondary Health

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

SCOPE OF WORK: The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating all aspects of IRC’s activities for a European Commission-funded health project. He/she will manage and lead the project by assisting two hospitals and six primary health facilities in Kolahun and neighboring districts in Lofa County, Liberia. The Project Manager will lead a team of up to 15 Liberians and 1 international health and operational staff. He/she will be responsible for managing implementation of all project activities; these include ensuring logistical, administrative and financial activities are conducted as per IRC standards and donor requirements. They also include liaising with all relevant stakeholders and partners, including leadership at health facilities, county and district health authorities, national and international NGOs and international agencies.

The Project Manager will specifically ensure that: • Activities are conducted to achieve project objectives • Expenditure and procurement are conducted in a regular and planned manner • Reporting, both internal and external, is conducted as per requirements • On-going coordination, update and consolidation of activities is done with all relevant stakeholders • The IRC is represented in all local coordination instances • The partner completes all required obligations

The Project Manager will report directly to the Lofa County Health Coordinator, and will also work closely with the IRC’s Field Coordinator and Deputy Director for Programs - Health based in Monrovia. The position will work closely with the project’s Medical Coordinator, also based in Kolahun, that oversees the technical aspects of the project.

Responsibilities 1. Project Implementation & Planning: • Directly responsible for all project cycle management processes including: participation, preparation and execution of workplans, organizing training and staff development activities, budget and actual expenditure analysis, and other monthly planning as required (travel, spending, and activities) • Ensure the project staff adheres to IRC logistics and finance policies and procedures • Develop monthly project spending plan and cash forecasts to be submitted to the Financial Controller • Manage and monitor monthly project expenditure and track budgets to ensure that all spending is in line with approved budgets • Ensure project goals and objectives are met within timeline and budget while ensuring high quality • Work closely with the international project Medical Coordinator to ensure the project is advancing according to agreed objectives, including routine review of achievements and correcting identified problems

1. Logistics and Operations: • Manage the logistics team and ensure that procurement, warehousing and reporting are done in a correct and timely manner • Oversee the use of vehicles, the rationalization of movement and timely maintenance • Monitor the base management and the maintenance of IRC assests, buildings and property • Develop and implement project procurement plans and, in coordination with logistics department, ensure on time delivery of all goods and services

2. Human Resources Management • Overall responsibility for the entire project team, including ensuring that all supervisors perform their evaluation and management duties • Initiate and follow-up on recruitment of staff as required • Provide leadership, promote professional working relationships, conflict resolution, and manage project staff effectively

3. Partner Management • Serve as the main focal person in the field for the IRC’s implementing partners and regularly meet and coordinate with partners • Review and monitor partner activities, expenditures and performance regularly to ensure achievement of the project’s set objectives

4. Reporting and Project Development • Produce IRC and donor reports as per set schedules about project activities, indicators and achievements • Assess possibilities for future health interventions and contribute to donor concepts and proposals, including budgets, when required

5. Representation and Communication • In coordination with the County Health Coordinator and the Lofa Field Coordinator, ensure coordination and information sharing activities with national NGOs, international organizations, donors and Government of Liberia’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare at County and District levels are performed • Ensure that beneficiaries’ accountability is respected and that local communities’ opinions and view are included in project design and implementation

6. Other duties • Responsible for safety and security of team; liaise with all relevant bodies to monitor security evolution and changes • Other duties as required by the County Health Coordinator or the IRC Liberia senior management

REQUIREMENTS:

• A university degree in the field of project management, international development, public health, social sciences, administration, economy, human resources or other relevant topic • Minimum 4 years experience with an NGO and/or international organization managing program activities with a proven track record in program management and implementation • Minimum 2 year experience of working in remote locations and emergency/post-conflict settings, with a track record in managing primary and secondary public health programs preferred • Commitment to humanitarian principles and understanding of the developmental/transitional post conflict needs • Excellent oral and writing skills in English • Computer skills in Outlook, Word and Excel • Excellent coordination, communication and human relations skills • Flexible and able to quickly adapt to the changing environments • Must be organized, efficient and able to work autonomously with minimum supervision

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The position is placed in Kolahun, about 2 days road travel from Monrovia. For most of the year the location is hard to access. Accommodation based on IRC compound and shared between several international staff members. Accommodation provides limited internet and electricity. No other international agencies are present in Kolahun. Security situation is mostly calm for post-conflict countries.

Please apply online: www.ircjobs.org or http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=7422 .