Deputy Country Director, Programs – Guinea

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 Guinea.

Country Program Overview

HKI started its nutrition program in Guinea in 2000. Currently, HKI implements a program focusing on nutrition and the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTD). HKI assists the government’s efforts in the fight against malnutrition through supporting food fortification (oil and flour) and vitamin A supplementation. Efforts need to be made to develop new strategies and approaches to achieve universal coverage for vitamin A supplementation using both routine health services and child health days. Additional work in nutrition is envisioned for the future – most likely with an emphasis on essential nutrition actions for pregnant women and children under age five. HKI also provides technical assistance and financial support to the national NTD control program in its work to map diseases and provide treatment through mass drug administration for onchocerciasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthes.

Scope of the Position

HKI-Guinea has approximately 20 staff and an annual operating budget of $3.5m to $4.5m. The current program is funded by several donors including USAID, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The funding situation is solid, with a couple of small-scale 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 design and proposal writing, program planning, 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 Guinea, 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 identifying research opportunities and overseeing research and evaluation. The DCD supervises the nutrition coordinator, the NTD coordinator and the monitoring and evaluation coordinator.

Specific Responsibilities

The DCD leads and directly supervises the program team, and is a member of the country management team, along with the Finance Manager and the Administrator. Field travel includes supervision of project interventions throughout the country. 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 its alignment with the agency’s strategic plan, and annual 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.
• 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 program implementation on a monthly basis to identify spending trends, and if significant issues 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 quality narrative reports are submitted to donors and HKI’s Regional and HQ offices (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 files, records and documents relating to HKI projects

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

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public health or nutrition, plus minimum 7 years working in program 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 language skills in both English and French
• 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 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
• 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, regionally and internationally as required

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

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 with a copy toMarily Knieriemen, Country Director at .   Please include the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.