Chief of Party- Ghana PMI Evolve Project at Abt Associates

The Opportunity

• Under the supervision of the US-based Project Management Director, the Chief of Party manages, and supervises the successful implementation of the PMI Evolve Project in Ghana, and acts as the primary liaison between the project and the local USAID mission, the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), other government agencies completing malaria control activities, and various other malaria stakeholders in-country. The COP is required to provide overall strategic direction, operations management, technical leadership, and financial and administrative compliance for all project activities to assure vector control activities meet desired outcomes, are completed on-time, and within budget.
• The PMI Evolve Project supports the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control strategy with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria while promoting equity to sustain malaria gains. Abt has implemented integrated vector control for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality indoor residual spraying (IRS), technical assistance for insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution and durability monitoring, and new approaches for larval source management (LSM). Additionally, Abt’s PMI-funded work manages the most comprehensive malaria vector entomological surveillance programs in 21 African countries to inform malaria vector control trends, strategies, and impact. Under the PMI Evolve Project, Abt will further its delivery of integrated vector control programs by partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments to co-design and co-implement tailored malaria vector control programs. The end goal is fighting malaria while strengthening local capacity to sustain malaria gains.

Core Responsibilities

• Represents Abt Associates and the Project to the PMI Advisor of the USAID Mission, the Ministry of Health, the NMCP, provincial and other key stakeholders.
• Carries full authority and accountability for project decisions, as delegated by the US-based Project Director.
• Sets and pursues a results-oriented program strategy in coordination with the project team and in consultation with USAID, other partners and stakeholders.
• Leads the development and production of all deliverables, including annual country work plans, semi-annual reports, and End-of-Spray reports.
• Ensures that all country planning activities, vector control operations, technical compliance measures, and other deliverables are achieved in a timely manner.
• Develops and leads a capacity-strengthening plan for transferring vector control knowledge and skills to local institutions and develops important connections for assuring an increased role of local institutions in vector control (e.g., IRS campaign) planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Ensures that gender initiatives increase the participation of women at all levels and in all aspects of vector control programming and ensure their safety.
• Supervises and mentors the Vector Control Manager, Technical Manager, Finance and Administrative Manager, and others as needed.
• Ensures that staff, team members and consultants understand their roles and responsibilities and comply with contract requirements, USAID and Abt policies and procedures.
• Oversees the development and timely implementation of monitoring plans for all project activities and ensures that data required for USAID performance benchmarks and results frameworks are produced.
• Ensures that project budget projections, expenditure, tracking and reporting are in accordance with USAID and Abt Associates requirements, procedures and practices.
• Ensures that lessons learned, and best practices are documented and shared.
• Maintains regular communication with Abt Headquarters team, in regards to project updates, issues and general project management aspects.

What We Value

• Bachelor’s Degree + Fifteen years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or PhD+ Ten years of relevant experience
• Master Degree (minimum), or a Doctorate Degree (desirable), in Public Health/Health Administration (or other relevant health specialization) or Business Administration. Candidates with Medical Degrees are also desirable.
• 15 years of relevant international health experience, including significant experience in the area of malaria prevention and control.
• At least 5 years of senior project management experience in large international health projects/programs.
• Demonstrated leadership in management skills and ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, ranging from 10 to 50 employees.
• Experience managing a fast paced, results-oriented, deadline-driven project.
• Significant ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, ministry officials, and other development partners.
• Experience developing and communicating a project vision, aligning key stakeholders around the vision, and assuring the vision is translated into efficiently implemented program activities.
• Strong ability to communicate and write reports and other professional documents proficiently in English.