Chief of Party – USAID Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA) Sierra Leone

The Chief of Party is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, managerial oversight and technical direction of the anticipated USAID Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity in Sierra Leone. They lead the implementation team and serve as the key point of contact for USAID, government, project consortium partners, and other stakeholders.

• Strategic leadership and people management - Provide overall leadership, technical direction, and management oversight to staff and the overall project team including staff, consultants, and consortium partners. Plan, direct and coordination strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the project to achieve project objectives in line with USAID regulations and Options’ policies.
• Technical and operational oversight - Provide overall technical and administrative leadership to the project implementation team, including development of strategies, budgets, work plans, MEL plans and reporting. Responsible for meeting contractual obligations, producing deliverables and targets, and achieving project results as specified by USAID.
• Relationship management - Primary point of contact with USAID, consortium implementing partners, Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) and other stakeholders. Maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, effectively representing the project at external meetings. Manage proactive and responsive relationship with USAID in close collaboration with Options staff in Sierra Leone and the UK. 

• University degree in a relevant subject 
• Extensive experience providing technical, strategic and project management oversight to multi-year, multi-partner and complex projects in Sierra Leone and/or West Africa as a Chief of Party or Team Leader. 
• Demonstrated experience working to strengthen governance and accountability mechanisms as well as enhancing national local cooperation. 
• Strong understanding of Sierra Leone’s health sector including key context and trends relevant to health systems strengthening. Relevant networks at the district level.   
• Strong external liaison and negotiation experience fostering partnerships between Government and other stakeholders, including at district level, and building national and sub-national capacity. Familiarity with government practice and protocol.
• Significant experience and a track record of successful leadership and management of teams based in multiple locations. Previous experience leading a team of highly skilled, multidisciplinary staff to leverage joint management support, and empowering team members to deliver high quality work. Experience managing teams in high-risk environments.
• Demonstrable experience of working with USAID and familiarity with USAID practice and protocol with a proven ability to represent organizations and project with USAID. Significant experience with USAID planning and reporting systems, operations, programming, and structure.
• Experience in managing sizable budgets effectively with oversight on spending while providing regular oversight on issues related to risk and audit.
• Experience of risk management and mitigation in a project context.
• Leadership and influencing skills 
• Strategic thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills 
• Strong financial and risk management skills 
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills 
• Strong administration and organizational skills, good time management 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing 
• Commitment to equal opportunities 
• Commitment to the project’s and Options’ principles of Safeguarding, Do No Harm, and to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights.  
• Awareness and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. 
• Fluency in written and spoken English. 
• Fluency in spoken Krio is desirable.

Options offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package specific to each country, for further information please contact HR at opportunities@options.co.uk.

• To apply, please fill in the form HERE.
• Closing date for applications is: 01 June 2023
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.
• Please note that this role will be subject to full pre-employment background checks including criminal record check, identification check, employment references and right to work verification (where appropriate).

• As an equal opportunity employer, Options Consultancy Services is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage or civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Options Consultancy Services.
• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and postholders to share this commitment
• We seek people who are pro-choice, promote diversity and inclusion, are energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.
• Applicants must have the right to work in Sierra Leone.