Deputy Country Director, Burkina Faso

Helen Keller International

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Deputy Country Director, Burkina Faso

(Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)

Helen Keller International is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition and diseases of poverty. Cofounded by Helen Keller – and guided by her fierce optimism and belief in human potential – the organization delivers life-changing health solutions to vulnerable families where the need is great but access to care is limited. In the U.S., Africa, and Asia, Helen Keller’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change.

We are seeking a Deputy Country Director to join our growing country program in Burkina Faso.

Country Program Overview

Helen Keller International started its programs in Burkina Faso in 1986 and opened an operating office in 1999. Currently, Helen Keller implements a large and complex program where each element is designed to deliver the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, to help people create lasting change in their own lives.

We support the government’s efforts in the fight against malnutrition by implementing a wide range of activities: Vitamin A supplementation at national level, food fortification, promotion of the production and consumption of micronutrients-rich foods, etc. Recognizing the link between malnutrition and birth spacing, Helen Keller is also implementing a major program focusing on sexual and reproduction health, nutrition, and gender equity among adolescents. Helen Keller provides technical assistance and financial support to the national Neglected Tropical Disease control program with an integrated community-based program to control onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths through mass drug administration. Helen Keller also supports an eye-health program implemented in schools, that includes distribution of glasses in addition to eye care and has recently initiated a large-scale program to reduce child mortality through mass administration of azithromycin supported by a complex set of clinical research.

Functional Relationships

The Deputy Country Director reports directly to the Country Director (CD) and serves on the Country Management Team (CMT). The position directly supervises a team of professional level staff, works closely with colleagues at all levels of Helen Keller’s global management structure and may be called upon to participate in global working groups and/or steering committees.

Helen Keller’s programs require close relations with governments, partner universities and NGOs, private industry, donors, and UN agencies and the Deputy CD will represent Helen Keller at relevant external meetings.

Helen Keller has a matrixed reporting structure that respects both the line management and authority within country office and global management hierarchies; and the accountability and oversight duties of the many subject matter experts that support our country offices. Regular communication and a spirit of team work among colleagues, both hierarchically and laterally are essential to make this structure thrive.

Scope of the Position

The Deputy CD supports the efficient realization of program objectives and activities by implementing sound management practices for optimal performance in all areas of financial and grants management, risk management, safety and security, office management, information technology, and human resource management in compliance with Helen Keller and donor policies. This may include leading the screening of sub-grantees, development of sub-grant agreements, and monitoring of their financial performance.

The Deputy CD supports the CD to develop country office planning and goals and backs up the CD in overall supervision of the country office. S/he supports efforts to ensure all aspects of finance and administration are fully integrated with the work of program teams to fulfill the Helen Keller mission and the objectives established in grants. The Deputy CD contributes to securing funding for project activities for the country office as well as to organization-wide efforts to optimize systems and procedures.

The position is based in Ouagadougou with periodic travel to field sites, as well as international travel for meetings and training.

Specific Responsibilities

Overall Management and Leadership

· As a member of the CMT, participate in planning and direction setting for the country office programs, lending your unique perspective and expertise to the process, while listening to and integrating the expertise of others.

· Support the development of the Annual Program Plan that is in alignment with Helen Keller’s strategic plan, and budget.

· Collaborate with senior colleagues to ensure:

o Sound planning, implementation and evaluation of programs and operations;

o High-quality financial planning, management, reporting and auditing of programs, including thorough budget oversight;

o Compliance with Helen Keller standards, policies and procedures, and processes across the portfolio, including performance management; and

o Compliance with donor requirements, including timely and accurate reporting of results and expenditures, and required interim and final reports.

· Participate in international work groups assigned to develop global policies and/or optimize systems and procedures.

Project Development

· Work closely with the CD to identify funding opportunities that support the country program objectives.

· Contribute to project design and proposal development processes in close collaboration with the CD and the Business Development unit.

Program Oversight

· Oversee the design and implementation of effective work plans that allow for timely and ongoing review of all key outputs of the programs.

· Ensure that project implementation is in accordance with Helen Keller established plans, policies and procedures and Helen Keller core values.

· Facilitate the integration with other projects and activities within Helen Keller as well as with other partners and government entities.

· Work with staff and partners to ensure strong Monitor & Evaluation (M&E) systems are in place for the development of regular project monitoring systems, the agency’s shared indicator system, as well as for special studies and project evaluations, including baseline, mid-term and end-of-project.

· Oversee research and special studies design and implementation with project staff and ensure dissemination of information with a focus on publications of major findings.

· Conduct field-level monitoring for quality insurance; providing timely and constructive feedback and support to Helen Keller and partner project staff; identify and seek necessary technical support for programs as required.

· Work closely with the CD to address all issues raised by Helen Keller staff, donors or respective line ministries regarding program implementation.

Team and Performance Management

• Model collaboration for your team: effectively consult and inform colleagues to maximize efficiency and knowledge sharing and integrate guidance and direction from subject matter experts in your office and elsewhere in the global organization to maximize performance.

· Mentor, supervise and evaluate project coordinators for assigned project portfolio and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.

· Coordinate and develop terms of reference and supervise consultants and other technical support resources needed for program-related activities.

· Cultivate an atmosphere conducive to sharing of lessons-learned and to mutual learning among Helen Keller staff and among partners.

· Consult with and guide staff to achieve goals and ensure accountability to the people we serve, partners, colleagues and donors by providing ongoing feedback in a context of mutual respect.

· Provide guidance to program coordinators in supervising their project teams to implement high quality programs on time and on budget as outlined above.

External Representation / Coordination with partners

· Work with project staff to ensure partners are knowledgeable of Helen Keller’s technical and financial policies and procedures, and donor compliance requirements.

· Ensure that project staff have the skills and tools necessary to build partner capacity.

· Collaborate with respective line ministries and other organizations’ technical staff working in the sectors of interest to Helen Keller to build partnerships.

· Ensure that Helen Keller programs are recognized/promoted and implemented in accordance with national agendas.

· Participate in meetings and seminars within Helen Keller, nationally, and internationally as requested by CD.

Financial and Administrative

· Support and back up the Finance & Administrative duties of the CD including but not limited to:

o Supporting the development and implementation of annual country budgets;

o Ensuring timely submission of financial reports within the guidelines established by the Accounting and Grants & Contracts units of the Finance department;

o Authorizing expenditures for grant or contract allocations and ensuring compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements;

o Managing the safety and security of staff and responding promptly to emergent issues.

Required Competencies

· Masters’ degree or equivalent in public health or other relevant field, plus minimum seven years working in project management for an international organization in the area of public health, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

· Substantial experience in the fields of intervention as described in the country overview is essential.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to effectively lead a team, communicate a vision, make timely and transparent decisions, and manage conflict.

· Excellent oral and written French and English language skills, including the ability to synthesize complex technical and programmatic issues.

· An ability to work in challenging and insecure environments.

· Demonstrated ability to develop budgets, monitor financial status and manage administrative and financial activities of complex programs.

· Substantial experience with a variety of donors including USAID, and other government and foundation donors an advantage.

· Demonstrated ability in project design and proposal writing.

· Experience with monitoring and evaluation tools and systems.

· Proven track record with institutional strengthening and partnership building.

· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to exercise diplomacy and tact as demonstrated in previous roles that required communication with a broad and diverse set of partners.

· Computer literate and proficient; including knowledge of data management and analysis.

· Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender.

· Willingness to travel within the country to project sites.

The initial employment agreement is for two years with the possibility of renewal.

How to apply:

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to HKI.Recruitment@hki.org noting the job title in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

This is an international recruitment but local nationals are also eligible and encouraged to apply.

In the spirit of our namesake, Helen Keller International is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is fully valued.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email above or call +1 646-356-1789.