The Senior Program Officer (SPO) will manage day-to-day operations of and technical assistance to selected countries within Save the Children’s Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) portfolio worldwide. Working closely with SCUS technical, program and finance team, SCI country office staff, and MCSP partner agency staff, the SPO will provide strategic and programmatic oversight for the design, development, and implementation of Save-led activities under MCSP. For his/her designated portfolio, the SPO will ensure regular communication and strong collaboration between SC and MCSP partners, with donor representatives, as well as with DGH and SCUS support functions, including finance and awards management. This position has a projected end date of October 2016.
The Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP), is a global U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) cooperative agreement to introduce and support high-impact health interventions in 24 priority countries with the ultimate goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths (EPMCD) within a generation. MCSP supports programming in in maternal, newborn and child health, immunization, family planning and reproductive health, nutrition, health systems strengthening, water/sanitation/hygiene, malaria, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and pediatric HIV care and treatment. The Program engages governments, policymakers, private sector leaders, health care providers, civil society, faith-based organizations and communities in adopting and accelerating proven approaches to address the major causes of maternal, newborn and child mortality such as postpartum hemorrhage, birth asphyxia and diarrhea, respectively, and improve the quality of health services from household to hospital. The Program will tackle these issues through approaches that also focus on health systems strengthening, household and community mobilization, gender integration and eHealth, among others. The Maternal and Child Survival Program carries forward the momentum and lessons learned from the highly successful USAID funded Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), which has made significant progress in improving the health of women and children in over 50 developing countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. MCSP is a partnership led by Jhpiego, with Save the Children serving as a lead partner and providing technical leadership in newborn health, adolescent health, WASH and community engagement/mobilization.
Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Impact
Program Management & Leadership (65%)
Provide leadership to the design and management of MCSP country programs that are led by SC or have substantial technical involvement by SC staff. Specific responsibilities include:
Serve as SCUS HQ lead on development/coordination of SC’s annual work planning inputs and processes;
Monitor program implementation and completion of deliverables against approved work plans;
Proactively anticipate delays, challenges and opportunities, and lead or support country teams, partners and HQ colleagues to identify solutions;
Ensure quarterly and annual narrative reports reflect SC’s efforts and inputs;
Work collaboratively with awards management staff to prepare project budgets and track the progress of spending;
In collaboration with SC technical advisors, ensure technical assistance is organized and aligned with program needs.
Present program progress and results to both internal and external audiences, including USAID and partners;
Ensure compliance with SC, MCSP and USAID policies and regulations;
Ensure efficiency of SC systems to support MCSP country programming and work with Save’s Director of MCSP country support to improve SC MCSP program backstopping systems;
And travel to country offices to provide management support and leadership (approximately 20%).
Knowledge Management & Program Documentation (15%)
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of assigned portfolio and represent SC to MCSP partner agencies and USAID, both in Washington and in the field;
Monitor new developments in relevant newborn, adolescent, WASH and Community technical areas fields, apply best practice within SC MCSP country programs, and facilitate transfer and application of knowledge and program learning between countries.
Contribute to the development of novel program innovation, knowledge management and sharing tools and processes.
Coordinate input for SC MCSP quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports
Promote and support knowledge management and sharing efforts
Coordination and Partnership (10%)
Foster program relationships between relevant SC MCSP staff, SNL and DGH programs. Coordinate efforts on work in overlapping countries and on complementary technical programming;
Work in close collaboration with the SC MCSP technical and program team, SC MCSP Awards Managers, and SC support functions to ensure smooth implementation of SC MCSP programs.
Develop and maintain relationships with SC International counterparts and country offices.
Human Resource Management /Other (10%)
Provide leadership and mentoring to MCSP Program Coordinator(s) assigned to support portfolio
Manage consultants hired in support of portfolio activities.
Support and mentor country office staff.
Other duties, as identified by the Department or Agency
Required Background and Experience, Skills and Behaviors
Advanced degree in public health or related field (MPH preferred)
Minimum of 5-9 years’ experience managing international health programs, with a focus on reproductive, maternal & newborn, child, adolescent health (RMNCHA), WASH and/or community health strongly preferred
Minimum of two years living and working in a developing country
Experience managing USAID-funded health programs, and knowledge of USAID technical and operational requirements
Experience developing and managing strategic and operational plans in collaboration with others who represent a wide range of interests and needs
Experience interacting effectively with established networks of senior global health professionals, donors, partners and networks
Field oriented and comfortable with a team approach to programming and the ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines simultaneously
Appreciation for economic and socio-cultural differences in countries
Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and pressure to perform
Skills and Behaviors
Establishes course of action for self and ensures work is completed efficiently and effectively
Strong program management and technical skills, specifically with RMNCH programs
Excellent presentation, verbal and written communications skills
Excellent skills in facilitation, team building and coordination
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Strong detail orientation
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and prioritize multiple tasks
Demonstrated ability to balance focus on task with attention to relationships; identifies and cultivates relationships with key stakeholders internally, cross functionally; and externally establishes and promotes trust to facilitate collaboration and information sharing.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain relationships with key groups (internal and external) to the organization.
Demonstrates Save the Children’s Core Values
Ability to travel up to 20% of the time to developing countries
Fluency in a relevant foreign language preferred (French, Portuguese, Spanish)
Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Each year, we and our partners reach millions of children in communities around the world. Our dedicated and diverse staff work hard to improve the well-being of children everywhere.
Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.
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