United States US Embassy Jobs – Supervisory USAID Project Management Specialist (Health Systems Strengthening)

Organisation: United States
Embassy, US Mission in Uganda
Duty Station:  USAID Office, Kampala, Uganda
About US Embassy:
Welcome to the
United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda. 
The United States has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over
30 years.  Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi
currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. 
The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working
under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador.
Among the
offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are:
·        
United States Agency for International Development
(USAID)
·        
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
·        
Peace Corps (PC)
Job Summary: The Supervisory
USAID Project Management Specialist (Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) will
have the primary responsibility for providing technical leadership to the
entire USAID/Uganda Mission and to the USG Mission to Uganda as a whole in the
areas of HSS, health legislation and policy, planning, healthcare financing,
strategic information, human resources, and logistics and commodities. The
Specialist is recognized by the USG and the GOU as an expert in HSS, and serves
as a key Advisor to Mission Management, the USG Mission to Uganda, to the GOU,
and implementing partners (IPs). The Specialist provides supervision and
managerial oversight, and is involved in the planning, design, and
implementation and evaluation of all USAID/Uganda HSS activities. The
Specialist provides day-to-day technical management and oversight of the HSS
portfolio.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:  
1.
Strategic and Technical Advisor for HSS and Global Health Initiative (GHI) –
55%
·        
The Specialist provides policy and strategic
leadership, in support of the GHI and the overall USAID/USG health program,
with a focus on health systems strengthening, health-care reform, and
health-care financing, as well as health information systems and human
resources for health; develops new HSS activities;
·        
Assures monitoring and evaluation standards are met;
and, provides expert technical and programmatic information and assistance as
requested by the Ambassador, the Mission Director/Deputy Mission Director, and
the Office Chief relating to health systems strengthening, including content
for reporting documents, speeches, cables, analyses, and briefing papers.
·        
The Specialist will also work with various offices
in the Mission to design and commission studies and research relating to HSS.
As HSS Division Chief, the Specialist represents USAID/Uganda and the broader
USG at national and international meetings, and leads internal and external
meetings on issues related to USAID/USG health activities with emphasis on all
elements related to HSS;
·        
Meeting senior and mid-level GOU officials, such as
the Minister of Health, senior representatives from other donor agencies and
NGOs, and senior USAID and USG staff.
·        
The Specialist serves as the USG HSS lead in
coordination of the GOU, with health-sector IPs, to put appropriate procedures
in place for better coordination among health teams, partners, regional
programs, and the GOU.
·        
The Specialist provides senior policy, strategic,
and technical advice and guidance to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in areas such
as HSS, health-care reform, and health-care financing; works with senior MoH
officials to plan, draft, and evaluate the GOU health development plan and
other strategic documents and policies; and, provides advice and guidance to
the MoH Director of Planning and Finance in planning regional and national
(Ugandan) annual review meetings.
·        
The Specialist represents USAID/USG on the Ugandan
National Advisory Committee for Health Management Information Systems, the
Joint Core Coordinating Committee, and the MoH Task Force and serves on HH
Health Management teams.
·        
The Specialist will work in liaison with
USAID/Washington counterparts, ensuring compliance and constant communication.
·        
The Specialist oversees development of site visit
schedules and effective monitoring plans for the HSS program, ensuring
schedules are carried out routinely and that end-use checks occur; prepares for
VIP visits, including preparing briefers, scene setters, arranging for site
visits and accompanying delegations on visits to USAID programs, and briefing
VIPs on Uganda, the country’s health challenges and programs, and on USAID and
USG support.
·        
The Specialist coordinates the compiling of lessons
learned, and the dissemination of results to all health partners.
2.
Program/Project/Activity Management and Monitoring – 25%
·        
The Specialist serves as AOR/COR or Activity Manager
for a variety of programs, projects, activities in the HSS portfolio, and
supervises and provides guidance to subordinate staff who serving as AORs/CORs
for additional projects;
·        
Provides supervision for the Demographic and Health
Survey; conducts regular site visits to review program implementation and meet
with beneficiaries, and, based on the information collected during such visits,
adjusts or recommends adjustments to programs/projects/activities as
appropriate;
·        
Regularly reviews performance reports to ensure IPs
are in compliance with bilateral government agreements and with the performance
expectations outlined in their work plans and in agreements with USAID: and,
ensures IPs are in compliance with all relevant USAID regulations and
procedures, communicating regularly with IPs regarding USAID rules and
regulations as well as their obligations to USAID.
·        
The Specialist ensures monitoring and evaluation
systems are in place to capture IP results and contributions to overall
portfolio targets; approves annual work plans for HSS Division IPs; and,
maintains a regular schedule of HSS project site visits at headquarters, as
well as at the field level.
·        
The Specialist participates fully in the preparation
of the annual PEPFAR Country Operational Plan, and the USAID Operational Plan.
3.
HHS Division Financial Management – 10%
·        
The Specialist will be responsible for the financial
management of programs, projects, activities assigned to the HSS Division,
including regular budgeting for the HSS program, ensuring that that
obligations, expenditures, and budget pipelines conform to action plans;
ensuring appropriate and timely incremental funding of activities; ensuring
program activities are in compliance with USAID financial regulations,
reporting any financial discrepancies to the HH Office Chief and Financial
Analyst, the Mission Controller, and the Office of Acquisition and Assistance,
keeping the Controller and Financial Analyst informed on the liquidation of
advances; and, reviewing and providing administrative approval for assigned
activities.
·        
The Specialist ensures compliance with Non-Federal
Audits (NFAS) and the closure of open recommendations, and maintains monthly
project financial management tracking systems.
4.
Supervision of HSS Division Staff – 10%
·        
The Specialist provides oversight of work and
supervision of approximately of four Foreign Service National staff and two
expatriate staff, and other short-term staff (including AORs/CORs), and mentors
the entire Division in health systems strengthening, health care reform, and
health care financing.
·        
The Specialist serves as a full supervisor, providing
supervision, leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the professional and
assistant-level HSS Division staff, and provides guidance on HSS matters to all
members of the HH Office, including advising the Office Chief/Deputy Office
Chief, as well as the Mission Director and Deputy Mission Director.
·        
The Specialist participates with considerable weight
in selection decisions within the Division, and performs the full range of
training, evaluation, and other supervisory responsibilities expected at the
full professional level.
·        
Performs any other duties as assigned or required.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
NOTE:  All
applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific
and comprehensive information supporting each item.
·        
The ideal candidate for the Supervisory USAID
Project Management Specialist (Health Systems Strengthening (HSS)  must hold an advanced degree, or the local
equivalent, in medicine, public health, social science, or anthropology is
required. An MPH is preferred.
·        
At least seven years of progressively responsible,
professional-level experience in health-sector program management, with at
least four years of that time in strategy and policy development, is required.
·        
Prior experience must have provided the opportunity
for project design, program planning, and/or implementation.
·        
At least two years of experience in
development-related work or related fields for USAID, other donor agencies, GOU
organizations, or private-sector institutions which included project design,
performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation of large amounts
of data is desired. In addition, two to four years of previous successful supervisory
experience is desired.
·        
Detailed professional-level knowledge of development
principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to health
systems strengthening in Uganda and the region, is required. Mastery of a
variety of health development areas, including HSS, health care reform, health
care financing, health information systems, human resources development,
logistics systems and commodity supply, maternal and child health, and family
planning is expected.
·        
The Specialist must have detailed knowledge and
understanding of the economic political, social and cultural characteristics of
Uganda; and, the economic developments, resources, and resource constraints,
and development prospects and priorities of Uganda and the region.
·        
The Specialist must have a good knowledge of, or the
potential to acquire such knowledge, USG legislation, policy, and practice
relating to development assistance; USAID programming policies, regulations,
procedures, and documentation; and, of the objectives, methodology, and status
of assigned activities.
·        
The Specialist must have knowledge and understanding
of the organization and respective roles of the different branches in the GOU,
in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on
program/project/activity strategy and implementation plans.
·        
The Specialist must have an in-depth knowledge of
GOU institutions, policy directions, objectives, and priorities relating to
USAID activities in the sector; and, a sound knowledge of the political,
economic, social, and cultural characteristics and developments in Uganda.
·        
Possess the ability to plan, organize, manage, and
evaluate HSS program activities is required. Verbal communication skills, tact,
and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working
relations and a high level of trust with senior and middle-level GOU officials,
and with public and private organizations, such as primary USAID technical
contacts in the development area.
·        
Verbal communication skills are also used to explain
and interpret GOU attitudes, priorities, and concerns to USAID/USG officials,
and to negotiate program/project/activity plans and resolve implementation
issues with appropriate host-country organizations, technical advisors, IPs,
counterparts, and peers.
·        
Excellent writing skills are required in order to
prepare regular and ad hoc reports, project documentation, and briefing papers.
Analytical ability is required in order to interpret public policies, and to
assist in the development of revised policies, as required; and, to develop and
monitor the performance of budgets, and the development of periodic work plans.
·        
Skill in program/project/activity programming,
policies, and plans, and in developing strategies for implementation, is
desired.
·        
The Specialist must have the ability to work
effectively in a team environment, and to achieve consensus on policy, project,
and administrative matters.
·        
Good computer skills are required to manage activity
goals and achievements, both technical and financial.
·        
Language Proficiency: Level IV
(fluent) English. The ability to communicate effectively in both written and
spoken English is required. Knowledge of one or more Ugandan languages will be
highly useful.
How to Apply:
All those
interested in working with the US mission in Kampala should send their
applications and strictly adhere to the following:
·        
Universal Application for Employment as a Locally
Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174) Download it Here.
·        
A current resume or curriculum vitae.
·        
Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must
provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.  Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans
preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional
preference in hiring with their application.
·        
Any other documentation (e.g. essays,
transcripts/certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements
of the position as listed above.
Submit
Application To:
Human Resources
Office
By email at
KampalaHR@state.gov
NB: Only electronic submissions will be accepted and
only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Please clearly
indicate the position applied for in the subject area of the email submission.
Please use
standard file types such as Microsoft Word (.doc) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) and
please send all documents in one file attachment.
Telephone:  0414-306001/259-791/5
Deadline: 16th August 2015
The US Mission
in Kampala provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in
employment to all people without regard to race, color religion, sex, national
origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual
orientation.  The Department of State
also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel
operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

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