Programme Manager

The USAID/Bangladesh’s Strengthening Local Level Health Systems (SLLHS) Activity is a project managed by a consortium, where icddr,b is the “Country Anchor Partner”. SLLHS is supported by USAID with a vision to develop a health system in Bangladesh that can enable universal health coverage (UHC) by delivering high-performing, responsive, equitable, resilient, and adaptive services, that are effectively planned for and managed by skilled and accountable district and upazila health managers.

Working under the SLLHS Activity and reporting to the Scientist, the Programme Manager will be responsible for planning, organizing, monitoring, and implementing program activities to effectively execute operational plans and provide efficient coordination support to ensure the smooth implementation of these activities. This will be done following the project’s guidelines, as well as by following the organizational values and standards.

Specific areas of responsibilities are outlined below:

Project Planning and Organizing:

• Understand strategic objectives of the project; derive periodical work plans based on the project’s detailed implementation plan; derive implications for project execution and allocate different project verticals to the team;
• Guide team to prepare implementation plans for “Health Systems Improvement Plan (HSIP)”;
• Provide operational direction, oversight, and guidance to the implementation team for effective delivery of the program at a national scale;
• Oversee the implementation of the project activities and supervise day-to-day activities;
• Manage and report all implementation activities under the project; track progress against work plans; derive implications and focus areas for Team members; Finalize implementation plan with the team; Cascade goals and responsibilities; Establish review mechanisms and collaborate with team for implementation to effectively create a road-map for effective project implementation.

Project Management and Implementation:

• Design and plan project activity in consultation with the Project Management team;
• Develop an appropriate action plan and methodology to complete the project in the scheduled time;
• Assign suitable Program Officers of icddr,b or equivalent  to carry out the plan properly;
• Organize periodic pause and reflect meetings in consultation with the project management team and provide evidence-based input;
• Ensure adequate resources to implement the project activities as per plan to ensure efficient management and implementation of project activities effectively within the guidelines of the project.

Coordination, Collaboration, and Relationship Management with GoB/External Institutions/NGOs:

• Strengthen the coordination mechanism within and between Government sectors, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders for making the project achieve its goal;
• Develop supporting relationships with other stakeholders in the operating network;
• Resolve conflicts and arrive at mutually beneficial solutions;
• Develop team approach and promote harmonious relationships within icddr,b, and Govt. Institutes to provide a conflict-free environment for project implementation.

Data analysis and reporting:

• Analyze epidemiological and health service-driven data for evidence-based decision-making;
• Ensure all requirements based on project implementation are met and reported accordingly;
• Explain and defend findings to varying audiences (fellow scientists, policy-makers, boards of donor organizations, other stakeholders, etc.);
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of the project reports and assist the supervisor in the internal review of the reports to ensure the qualitative outcome of the project.

People Management:

• Promote a spirit of collegiality and gender diversity amongst team members and in the organization;
• Encourage team members to collaborate across areas; Address and resolve any diversity-related issues; Set goals and conduct appraisals for the team;
• Set high standards and confront poor performance where needed;
• Supervise project research physician and counselor;
• Mentor young professionals and prepare them for higher responsibilities;
• Take appropriate actions to manage poor performance (such as creating Performance Improvement Plans, coaching, job rotations, planning separations from icddr,b) to build and develop an engaged and high-performing team.

Required qualifications and experience:

• MBBS with MPH in Health Services Management;
• 8 years of progressive career experience in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health/ Nutrition/ Family Planning/ Tuberculosis/ Non-communicable Diseases/ HIV and AIDS, etc. with at least three years in a leadership role in health services management;
• Must have experience in managing large multidisciplinary teams;
• Must have experience in analyzing health facility-based service data for decision-making;
• Strong understanding regarding epidemiology and health services context of Bangladesh;
• Exposure to using analytical software (e.g. SPSS/STATA/R etc) is required;
• Excellent proficiency in both written and spoken English including presentation skills.

Source: https://career.icddrb.org/vacancy-preview/12003