Mali Country Director Helen Keller

Established in 1915 with Helen Keller as a founding trustee, Helen Keller International (HKI) works to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia as well as in the United States. HKI is known for sustainability, reliability, efficiency and the highest level of technical expertise in fighting and treating blindness and malnutrition. To accomplish its work, HKI builds the capacity of local governmental, civil society and private sector systems and infrastructure, and promotes the development of sustained, large-scale programs that deliver effective preventative and curative services for nutrition, eye health and neglected tropical diseases. The hallmark of the organization’s work is its proven effectiveness in developing, testing and scaling-up health interventions, and integrating them within government and community structures. HKI works with partners around the world to help meet key provisions of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), selected by all 191 United Nations member states, as well as VISION2020, The Right to Sight. With over 700 staff and an annual cash operating budget of over $45 million, HKI is seeking a Country Director to lead and manage our programs in Mali

Country Program Overview: HKI started its programs in Mali in 1999. HKI supports government’s efforts in the fight against malnutrition by implementing a wide range of activities including: Vitamin A supplementation, food fortification, essential nutrition actions and community management of acute malnutrition. HKI has supported the national program for Blindness control for 8 years, in particular School Health and Trachoma and has expanded this engagement to provide technical assistance to the national program to control Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) as well as implementing the SAFE strategy for trachoma control.

We are currently seeking a Country Director in Mali to represent HKI and be responsible for all HKI-Mali programs. HKI-Mali works with a several partners, notably the Ministry of Health, USAID, EU, UNICEF, research institutions, international NGOs and private sector in the public health areas of nutrition and control of neglected tropical diseases. Nutrition programming actions include support to the national vitamin A supplementation program; industrial fortification of wheat flour and cooking oil; promotion of essential nutrition actions package in different regions of Mali; community treatment for acute malnutrition in 10 districts in three different regions; and technical assistance for agricultural research on bio-fortified millet and sorghum varieties (with iron and zinc). In the area of blindness prevention and neglected tropical diseases (NTD), HKI is working with the National Programs for the control of Trachoma, Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, intestinal worms and Lymphatic Filariasis in a nationwide program, providing technical and financial assistance for strategy, planning, mass drug distribution, communication and monitoring. Most programs have a strong community radio communication component. The HKI-Mali office currently has 32 employees.

Scope of the Position: The Country Director (CD) has overall responsibility for supervising the implementation of HKI/Mali programs and management of the office, including performance management of staff, to achieve the HKI mission and the objectives established in grants. The CD is responsible for representing HKI and securing funding for project activities in Mali; developing and implementing strategic and annual plans to further the HKI’s mission in Mali; program design, proposal development, implementation and reporting; financial and grant management; operations, security, and human resource management. This position is based in Bamako, Mali, with travel up country. The CD reports to the Deputy Regional Director for West Africa (based in Dakar) and works closely with other staff members at HKI’s Africa regional office and headquarters. The CD leads and directly supervises the country management team, including deputy country director, finance manager and manager for administration and human resources.

Overall Management and Leadership: • Implement and periodically update HKI-Mali strategic plan. • Generate funding from international and bilateral agencies, donor agencies, corporations, and individuals in collaboration with national, regional and Headquarters staff in alignment with the country office’s strategic plan. • Manage financial resources and provide oversight for grants. • Manage key project personnel including supporting their ongoing professional development. • Provide vision and direction for overall program design and proposal development; program implementation and reporting; grant management; financial planning; and human resource planning and management. • Represent HKI in formal and informal meetings with government officials, international donor agencies, and national technical advisory groups pertinent to HKI project activities.

Programmatic: • Provide technical input to the government, international donor agencies and technical advisory groups pertinent to HKI project activities. • Oversee research design, dissemination of information gathered and advocacy to advance programmatic and policy changes. • Oversee and coordinate the program portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building local capacity. • Ensure implementation of strong program monitoring, evaluation and learning functions. • Disseminate findings from HKI projects that are of importance to decision-makers in a position to fund or implement projects in Mali and internationally. • Keep the national partners and others informed about progress of the projects, plans for the development of new programs/projects/activities and donor involvement in the overall program.

Financial and Administrative: • Work with HKI Regional Office and Headquarters to manage the development and implementation of annual country budgets. • Prepare financial reports that comply with grant or contract agreements and ensure compliance with all aspects of donor funding and HKI policies. • Ensure timely submission of financial reports within the guidelines established by the HKI Finance and Accounting Department and the Grants and Contracts Management Department. • Authorize expenditures for grant or contract allocations and ensure compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements. • Hire and manage personnel for Mali projects in compliance with HKI policies and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.

Skills/Knowledge Required: Candidates must have at least seven (7) years of field experience in international public health or nutrition programs. Experience in, or willingness to learn, about nutrition and NTD control necessary. Required competencies include: demonstrated ability to manage a professional team in a multi-cultural environment, demonstrated ability to mobilize funds, demonstrated ability to develop and create budgets and monitor financial status, and the ability to design and implement workshops, seminars, surveys, monitoring systems and evaluations. Candidates must be fluent in both English and French, and must be computer literate, including use of Internet, word processing and spreadsheets. Experience with EPI-INFO and/or SPSS will be an advantage.

Specific Skills and Experience  Minimum masters degree in public health, nutrition, agriculture, development, management or related field.  Minimum seven years demonstrated experience in program development, implementation and evaluation, included strong background in nutrition programs and NTDs.  Demonstrated capacity to mobilize program funding including donor cultivation and grants writing.  Demonstrated ability to manage staff and other administrative and financial activities in developing country programs – five years experience in a management position.  Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to lead a team, communicate a vision, make timely and transparent decisions, and manage conflict.  Experience in managing USAID projects and familiarity with USAID policies and regulations.  Experience in research design, data analysis and interpretation.  Fluency in both English and French required. Excellent oral and written English language skills, good oral and written French language skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize complex technical and programmatic issues into concise communications.  Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representation and advocacy.  An ability to maintain balance when under stress.

The initial contract is for two years with possibility of renewal.

How to apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should submit: 1) cover letter; 2) current résumé (CV) in English; and 3) short writing samples (2-3 pages) in both English and French, to Human Resources at hkihr@hki.org . Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.