Deputy Country Director, Programs – Burkina Faso

Helen Keller International
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Deputy Country Director, Programs – Burkina Faso
(Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)

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 offers programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia as well as in the United States.  The organization combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on evidence and research. HKI is recruiting a deputy country director for Burkina Faso.

Country Program OverviewHKI started its programs in Burkina Faso in 1986 and opened an operating office in 1999. Currently, HKI implements a large and complex program focusing on nutrition and the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTD). HKI supports the government’s efforts in the fight against malnutrition by implementing a wide range of activities: Vitamin A supplementation, food fortification, school health and nutrition, prevention and management of acute malnutrition, enhanced homestead food production, promotion of orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes and development of strategies to promote essential nutrition actions HKI also provides technical assistance and financial support  to the national NTD control program, including an integrated community-based program to control onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths through mass drug administration  as well as implementation of the SAFE (surgery, antiobiotics, facial cleanliness, environmental change) strategy for combating trachoma.

Scope of the PositionWith about 70 staff and an annual operating budget of $4m to $5m, HKI-Burkina Faso has undergone significant growth over the past few years and is one of the largest HKI country offices in Africa. HKI’s program in Burkina Faso is funded by a number of donors, including, the US Agency for International Development (including OFDA and Food for Peace), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Taiwan embassy, and several others. The funding situation is solid, with several exciting initiatives in the pipeline.

HKI is seeking a Deputy Country Director (DCD) to oversee programs, under the supervision of the Country Director. The primary responsibilities are project planning/design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to ensure timely, effective and compliant programming in accordance with HKI programming principles and donor requirements.  The position requires close cooperation with the government of Burkina Faso, partner NGOs, food industries, donors and UN agencies. As an evidence-based organization, HKI places great importance on operational research and impact evaluation. The DCD plays a key role in overseeing research and evaluation, usually in partnership with qualified institutions. The DCD supervises a team of six (or more) program managers, with a total program staff of around 50 employees.

Specific ResponsibilitiesThe DCD leads and directly supervises the program team, and is a member of the country management team, along with the Finance Manager and the Manager for Administration and Human Resources. Field travel includes visits to project sites working from three sub-offices. The DCD serves as acting country director when the CD is absent.

 Project Development:

• Assist the CD in identification of funding opportunities that support the country program objectives.
• Participate in operational and strategic planning of the country senior management team; support the development of the Annual Program Plan, including ensuring this is in alignment with the agency’s strategic plan, and budget.
• Coordinate and develop terms of reference, and supervise consultants and other technical support resources needed for program-related activities.
• Strengthen staff and partner capacity in project development.
• Contribute to project design and proposal development processes in close collaboration with the CD.
• Play an active role in identifying and obtaining support for new initiatives that foster and improve the strategic objectives of the country office.

 Program Oversight:

• Oversee the design and implementation of effective work plans that allow for timely and ongoing progress review of all key outputs of the programs.
• Ensure that project implementation is in accordance with HKI established plans, policies and procedures and HKI core values.
• Work with staff and partners to ensure strong M&E systems are in place for the development of regular project monitoring systems, the agency’s shared indicator system, as well as for special studies and project evaluations, including baseline, mid-term and end-of-project.
• Oversee research and special studies design and implementation with project staff and ensure dissemination of information with a particular focus on publications of major findings.
• Conduct field-level monitoring for quality insurance; providing timely and constructive feedback and support to HKI and partner project staff.
• Work with project and finance staff to review expenses related to programs implementation on a monthly basis to identify either over or under spending trends, and if significant trends are noted to alert the CD for appropriate action.
• Mentor and supervise program staff and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.
• Work with project staff to ensure all narrative reports are submitted to donors and Regional and HQ office (as required) in a timely and compliant manner.
• Work closely with the CD to address all issues raised by HKI staff, donors or respective line ministries regarding program implementation.
• Work with project staff to ensure the proper maintenance of all files, records and documents relating to HKI activities of the project.

Coordination with partners:

• Work with project staff to ensure partners are knowledgeable of HKI’s technical and financial policies and procedures, and donor compliance requirements.
• Ensure that project staff have the skills and tools necessary to build partner capacity.
• Collaborate with respective line ministries and other organizations’ technical staff working in the sectors of interest to HKI to build partnerships.
• Ensure that HKI programs are recognized/promoted and implemented in accordance with national agendas.
• Participate in meetings and seminars within HKI, nationally, and internationally as requested by CD.

Qualifications

• Masters degree or equivalent in development, public health, program management, international development or other relevant field, plus minimum 7 years working in project management for an international organization in the area of public health, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to effectively lead a team, communicate a vision, make timely and transparent decisions, and manage conflict
• Excellent oral and written English and French language skills, including the ability to synthesize complex technical and programmatic issues
• Demonstrated ability to develop budgets, monitor financial status and manage administrative and financial activities of complex programs
• Substantial experience with a variety of donors including USAID, CIDA, European Commission and UNICEF an advantage
• Demonstrated ability in project design and proposal writing
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation tools and systems
• Proven track record with institutional strengthening and partnership building
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to exercise diplomacy and tact as demonstrated in previous roles that required communication with a broad and diverse set of partners
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook; Experience with EPI-INFO and/or SPSS an advantage
• Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender
• Willingness to travel within the country to project sites

The initial contract is for two years with possibility of renewal. 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.   Please include the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.