Program Officer, Health Systems Strengthening at Results for Development (R4D)

About The Job

Opportunity:

• R4D is seeking a Program Officer (PO) based in Accra, Ghana. The Program Officer will support the Accelerator’s activities in Ghana, and work on selected workstreams within the portfolio, alongside staff based in Ghana and the US.
• A successful candidate should have strong leadership, program management, and stakeholder management skills. S/he should have a technical background in health systems strengthening, with experience in program management. S/he should also be highly motivated, a creative problem solver; have strong analytical, writing, communication, process facilitation, and collaboration skills; and have a commitment to excellence and producing results.
• This position is based in Accra, Ghana and will report to the Sr. Program Officer.

Responsibilities:

• The PO will serve as a key member of the team, contributing technical assistance to specific health system challenges and supporting implementation of project activities. Responsibilities will encompass administrative, project management, research, business development, and communication tasks (among others). S/he may be expected to:
• Serve as a liaison between the HSS Accelerator activity in Ghana and the Accelerator Management team in DC
• Facilitate development and monitoring of workplan for activities in Ghana, working with team members and accounting for inputs from key partners and USAID
• Facilitate development and timely submissions of biweekly, quarterly, and annual reports. Identify key milestones to highlight to Accelerator Management team and donor
• Work with team to develop theory of change, results frameworks, and key performance indicators for the activity, and apply project-wide MEL plans
• Throughout implementation, identify and manage risks to minimize programmatic disruptions
• Develop and facilitate organization and maintenance of knowledge management and communications materials, including communications plan for Ghana activities
• Foster collaborative relationships with country and technical partners. Ensure effective and regular communications with internal and external stakeholders (including government partners, USAID, etc.)
• Work with Finance team to carefully monitor and track budget and expenses
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis on technical and policy issues related to health systems and financing, and contribute to highly polished presentations, concept notes, briefing materials, and other products such as blog posts, newsletters, meeting summaries, thought pieces, and e-communications on key topics of interest including Accelerator’s activities in Ghana
• Develop key deliverables, including analytical and communication materials (e.g., technical tools, workshop reports, operational guidelines etc.) in collaboration with other team members. Review and provide constructive feedback to work products developed by other team members and consultants within select activities
• Represent R4D and the HSS Accelerator at health policy forums in Ghana, as designated by the Country Director and Senior Program Director. Seek opportunities to present HSS Accelerator work both in Ghana and globally
• Contribute to new business development efforts including proposal writing
• Contribute to various other tasks including identifying/recruiting consultants, developing contracts, recruiting new team members

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience on issues related to health systems strengthening in Ghana. Ability to understand and describe complex health systems issues
• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and independently
• Master’s degree in a relevant field (public health, health economics, public or social policy, public administration, business, management or similar) preferred
• Experience with USAID or other donor-funded grants, with specific experience reporting to and managing relationships with USAID as a donor is highly desirable. Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations highly desirable
• Experience providing process facilitation support on issues related to health systems strengthening – i.e., supporting a country-led process that has broad stakeholder buy-in, develops the capacity of country partners, and leads to contextually appropriate and technically valid solutions.
• High level of organization, attention to detail, professionalism, and reliability. Ability to prioritize and manage work in a fast-paced environment and be responsive to country partners and funders amidst competing time and resource demands
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to effectively facilitate high-level meetings, and prepare clear and concise emails, presentations, and reports
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience effectively working with and meeting needs of various stakeholders in Ghana and globally
• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and independently
• High level of Microsoft Office proficiency, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and preferably Teams
• Experience providing process facilitation support on issues related to health systems strengthening – i.e., supporting a country-led process that has broad stakeholder buy-in, develops the capacity of country partners, and leads to contextually appropriate and technically valid solutions.