Country Support Manager

Panagora Group seeks a Country Support Coordinator to join the five-year USAID-funded Localize Global Health Security (LGHS) project. The project will work in priority countries under the USAID Global Health Security Agenda to strengthen global health security capabilities of local partners and address critical health security gaps as defined in national health security action plans.

The CSM is responsible for ensuring effective management and backstopping support for up to three LGHS countries and coordinating technical assistance and core investments at country level. The CSM will work in close collaboration with the HQ-based LGHS Deputy Project Director (DPD), country support coordinators, and finance & accounting staff to provide daily oversight and managerial support to assigned country programs. The CSM will report to the DPD and work in alignment with the in-country Grants Engagement Managers GEM(s) to support local entities, including local grant and technical assistance recipients and collaborate with other LGHS stakeholders, including USAID.

This is a full-time position based in the Washington DC area and may require travel to project countries.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Management, Planning, and Oversight

• Backstop implementation of project activities at the country level, manage country budget, ensure performance and monitor progress against targets.
• Manage day-to-day interactions with the GEMs to ensure that country program implementation is aligned with project expectations and approved work plans. Ensure that adequate systems and resources are in place for successful delivery. Propose corrective action where necessary to realize project commitments.
• Lead the timely development, submission and approval of annual country work plans and budgets in assigned LGHS country programs. Support in negotiating country work plan activities and budgets with USAID Missions, partners, and country counterparts.
• Coordinate the development of global strategic direction for LGHS country related work and ensure sound strategic and work planning processes consistent with global priorities and direction at country level.
• Oversee the development, accuracy, and submission of progress reports (semiannual, annual and end-of-project) and other deliverables in LGHS program countries.
• Monitor financial management and administration of country programs to ensure the effective, efficient, and compliant operations of country programs. Work with the LGHS HQ Activity Management Team (AMT) and Finance & Accounting (F&A) Manager to provide guidance and resolve any outstanding issues.
• In collaboration with the LGHS AMT, F&A Manager and Grants team, ensure that country programs are managed in accordance with LGHS and Panagora policies and procedures, comply with USAID rules and regulations, and comply with local laws.
• Keep the Deputy Project Director appraised on complex and/or sensitive issues and work closely with the country support team to troubleshoot these and identify the appropriate course of action.
• Support GEM(s) in developing and nurturing relationships with USAID at the country level
• Serve as a point of contact for country Missions and represent country program related issues with USAID/Washington as delegated.
• Work with relevant LGHS staff to support incoming award documentation and processing, award amendments, and donor reporting.
• Support HR related processes at country level.
• Supervise and mentor HQ-based country support coordinators, and coordinate/collaborate with other Country Support Managers.

Coordination of Technical Assistance and Support

• In consultation with other key LGHS personnel, identify technical assistance needs at country level, and ensure timely, coordinated and appropriate TA; and,
• Coordinate global engagement at country level to ensure timely, efficient delivery on all LGHS commitments. Ensure global engagement is consistent with country level commitments and capacities.

Support Local Grants Program

• Support the successful implementation of the grants under contract program in compliance with Panagora’s policies and procedures and standard of practices, as well as relevant USAID requirements and regulations.
• Participate in grant review meetings with country colleagues and support resolution of issues raised.
• Liaise with the in-country grants engagement managers (GEMs) and the HQ-based director of grants and grants coordinator to ensure agreement and contractual obligations are being met and in accordance with applicable donor requirements. Ensure all documentation is being completed correctly, and that procurements and delivery of goods to grantees are moving forward appropriately.

Knowledge Management

• Ensure proper brand identification at country level, and work with the Knowledge Management Specialist to increase visibility of LGHS country work and success stories at both local and global levels. Oversee content of the Country Initiatives web-page, ensuring regular updates and quality submissions.
• Develop communication mechanisms and protocols to ensure effective, efficient communication between LGHS teams at global and country level and ensure broad sharing of country level plans and performance.
• Foster cross-country and global/country learning and exchange in collaboration with the Deputy Project Director and KMC specialist. Develop mechanisms for identifying promising practices, and opportunities for enhancing programs through lessons learned and innovations.