Program Manager

Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) is a faith-based health solutions provider founded by an ecumenical partnership of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK). The Organization’s core mandate is to provide reliable and affordable Health Products and Technologies, Quality Assurance and Health Systems Strengthening Services. MEDS was established in 1986 and serves clients spread all over Kenya, other regions in Africa and beyond.

Project Summary

MEDS has entered into a Contract with USAID Kenya and East Africa named USAID Dawa za Ubora. The purpose of the contract is to obtain efficient, reliable and accountable supply chain management services for the procurement, warehousing, and distribution of health commodities for HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Maternal/Neonatal/Child Health (MNCH) and Global Health Security (GHS) activities for patients across all 47 Counties in Kenya for adequate care, treatment and prevention for communicable diseases and other health needs.

About the role

The Program Manager will be responsible for supporting the Project Director to manage and deliver work plans and donor reports. S/he will work pro-actively with colleagues to ensure that necessary information for donor reporting is available and that donor reports are drafted to a high standard and according to deadlines. The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya with occasional in country travels as needed. The offer and contract are subject to donor funding and approval.

Key Responsibilities

1. Preparing intermediate and final narrative and progress reports, adhering to internal and donor regulations
2. Monitor the quality and effectiveness of project activities, working closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to ensure that the project document and capture the impact and learning and promote knowledge sharing in the programme
3. Completing all project management documentation and regularly communicating updates internally
4. Lead on the design and delivery of workshops which co-create results and sustainability frameworks for Dawa za Ubora project
5. Be at the fore front of latest donor trends and share knowledge across the organization
6. Support management of knowledge and learning developed by Dawa za Ubora project, including lessons learned, best practices, challenges, how-to information, and information on reach and impact
7. Provide support and substantive inputs in project planning, proposal, budget and log frame development, project appraisal, and monitor project progress against approved programmatic and budgetary targets
8. Maintain a calendar of activities, such as the annual work plan and timelines for the various reports. Maintain programme risk log
9. Work closely with the Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager, enabling teams and the Programme team to develop efficient impact measurement and accountability mechanisms for proposed grants.
10. Conducting needs assessments and developing new project scope as necessary. Lead development of high-quality responses, coordinating input from other teams, including proposal writing, budget planning and contract management.
11. Supervise the staff for smooth implementation of the contract

Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in health-related studies, development studies, project management, business administration, communication and/or related field and Project management certification
2. A minimum of 7 years’ experience with donor funded programmes in a similar role of which three years as Program Manager
3. Writing and presentation skills: Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and ability to communicate clearly in a multicultural environment
4. Fluency in written and spoken English
5. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work comfortably as a team player and thrive in a fast-paced environment
6. Significant knowledge in communicable disease control particularly malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS