Health Programme Manager

Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) invites all qualified candidates to apply for the following position. SCA actively promotes and encourages Women and People with Disabilities to apply

Title of Position:

Health Programme Manager

Job Number:

HRM/KMO 70-17

Duty Station:

Kabul Management Office

Number of Positions:

One (Male/Female)

Status:

The position is Fixed Term (Two years)

Remuneration:

Salary and benefits are according to internal SCA salary policy                                       

Non-monetary Benefits for Females:

Transportation close to residence and work, child nursery at workplace, safe travel facilities and companion to field trips, female association membership, trainings and capacity building

Announcement Date:

13th-Dec,2017

Closing Date:

27th-Dec, 2017

SCA Background

The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) has been working in Afghanistan since 1982, presently managing development programmes concerning Health, Education, Rural Livelihoods and Community Governance, with a total annual budget of roughly USD 40 million. The total number of staff is around 5,500. During the last 10 years SCA has undertaken a change process moving from a primarily humanitarian service delivery approach towards more of a developmental role, putting increasing emphasis on capacity development, rights-based programming and outcome orientation. The mission of SCA is to empower individuals, communities and local organizations, primarily in rural areas and with particular focus on women, girls, boys and vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, so that they may participate fully in society and influence their own development. SCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment based on their skills, abilities and experience without regard to age (18-65 years), ethnicity, religion, marital status, gender, or physical disability.

Scope of work:

The position of Health Programme Manager (HPM) is a senior, and full time position within the Health Programme Unit (HPU) based in Kabul Management Office (KMO) with frequent visits to the RMOs. The HPM leads the HPU, which exists to ensure that all SCA interventions in health are streamlined as per the conceptual frame of the Programme and towards the SCA strategic objectives and strategically oversee and backstop the development and implementation of the Health Programme being implemented through all five RMOs.

The HPM closely works with the Programmes Director and ensures strong synergy and working relationship with other programmes, support and crosscutting units within SCA, at KMO level. S/he also maintains close coordination with the line ministry (Ministry of Public Health) as well as other major actors in the Health sector. Donor relation is another major area where the HPM plays significant role through developing and submission of project applications, project discussions, on time reporting and other project implementation related issues. The HPM advocates for women, girls, children and people with disability rights to health on national level and makes sure that gender equality is adhered to in all aspects of the programme planning and implementation.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Master Degree, or equivalent, in relevant professional field preferably public health.

Experience

• Six to eight years of relevant work experience within international development, NGOs, UN agencies or similar organization.
• Experience in the Rights-Based Approach to development.
• Experience of monitoring, evaluation and assessment.
• Experience in research and studies will be an added value.
• Experiences of coordination, representation and advocacy on the ministries and donor agencies level.

Others

• A proven record of being direct responsible for preparing strategic outlines, plans, donor applications and budgets.
• Demonstrated team-building capabilities and strong organizational, interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills
• Proven ability to priorities, delegate, handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines - Ability to take initiatives, innovate and pursue work proactively.
• Ability to analyses information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically. Gender and cultural sensitivity required.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English and Dari/Pashto
• Computer skill at operator level, especially with MS Office packages.
• Ability and willingness to travel to the project sites within Afghanistan and adjust to SCA environment.
• Be an Afghan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Managerial & Supervisory:

• Ensure strategic programme development that stresses improvements in the Health sector of Afghanistan and leads overall development strategies for SCA Health Programme.
• Oversee the processes of internal assessment and evaluations of the programme including surveys and feasibility studies of the projects.
• Ensure focus on relevance and quality, and mainstreaming of rights and gender, in programme design and implementation;
• Enhance Health Programme’s internal capacity for effectiveness through identification of training needs, team-building and coordination at all levels of the programme that aim at strengthening technical competencies, local initiatives, sustainability and participation;
• Supervise the activities of HPU staff
• Oversee the implementation compliance of the Health programme activities to the Strategic Plan, annual work plan, budget and other guidelines
• Contribute to annual performance appraisal of Health Project Managers by providing necessary technical inputs to Heads of RMOs concerning the Health Project Managers annual performance and development needs.

Technical:

• Manage the development of Health Programme directives, manuals and guidelines in such a way that the SCA Health interventions are adapted to the Health needs and rights of SCA target groups.
• Oversee the processes of internal and external assessment and evaluations of the Programme and provide support to the Health Teams in RMOs in conducting surveys and feasibility studies in their project areas as well as ensures that relevant findings and recommendations are incorporated and considered in the programme planning and implementation.
• Provide adequate technical oversight and instructions to various field projects through coordinated and recurrent technical monitoring missions and evaluations, planning, proposal writing, overall budgeting and report writing.
• Lead developing various proposals, work plan, budget and reports
• Ensure focus on relevance and quality, and mainstreaming of rights and gender, in programme design and implementation;
• Analyse technically the Health programme data and share analytical reports/recommendations with Programme Director on improving qualitative aspects of the programme/projects
• Communicate and coordinate relevant/programme related issues with the line ministries and other stakeholders at national level
• Participate in recruitment of Health Project Managers and HPU staff in line with SCA recruitment guidelines.
• Ensure delegation and share information within the programme unit and with other units of SCA

Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach:

• Support rights-based programmes approach with a focus on enhancing SCA priority target groups participation in the design and implementation of programme/projects.
• Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programme planning and design processes with focus on results.
• Provide professional and technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of rural communities including women and children, recommendations on programme, new initiatives and management issues to ensure achievement of strategic objectives.

Financial:

• Be accountable for the HPU budget and its effective utilization.
• Manage the overall budgeting process for the Health Programme, in consultation with the Health Programme Coordinator and the Health Project Managers as well as the SCA Finance Unit.
• Oversee programme budget utilization on RMOs level and provide justifications for deviations in consultation with Health project teams.

Training:

• Supervise the overall process of Health staff training needs assessment, facilitation of training opportunities inside and outside SCA in consultation with the Senior Health Specialist, Health Programme Coordinator as well as SCA Human Resource Development Unit.
• Enhance the managerial, research and assessment skills of HPU and POs staff in consultation with the Senior Health Specialist, Heads of RMOs, Health Project Managers and SCA Human Resource Unit.

Coordination and Advocacy:

• Maintain close contact regarding the Health Programme issues, with donor agencies, authorities, UN agencies, international and national NGOs in order to promote coordination and continuous upgrading of the Health activities at different levels.
• Identify the advocacy areas for the Health Programme in line with the SCA Strategic Objectives in consultation with the Advocacy Unit.

Procurement & Purchase

• Oversee the technical quality (standards) and type of goods and equipment to be procured for the Health                      Programme/Projects.

Application Procedures:

• Interested qualified candidates should submit a full CV with a cover letter explaining their motivation in applying for the job and highlighting their relevant skills and experience;
• To apply online please send your application / CV to vacancies@sca.org.af
• Subject Line Must be:  Health Programme Manager, HRM/KMO 70-17, Otherwise your application May not be Considered.
• Candidates may also submit applications by letter (hard copy) directly to the SCA HRM Unit in either Kabul, Ghazni, Kunduz, Wardak, Taloqan, Mazar-e-Sharif, Laghman or Jalalabad;
• Academic certificates or references need not to be submitted at this time. These will be requested if called for interview.
• Only short-listed candidates will be invited for written test and interview.

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