Project Director

Background

LVCT Health is an established Kenyan NGO that is renowned for the implementation of health programs at scale in Kenya. Through its vision of Empowered, Healthy and Resilient Communities, LVCT Health is a leader in designing and implementing innovative HIV prevention and treatment approaches, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence programs reaching the most vulnerable populations. LVCT Health works with the government and other stakeholders at the national and county levels.

LVCT Health seeks to fill the position of Project Director for the CDC funded Dhibiti Project, supporting the Implementation of Sustainable, Comprehensive, High-Quality HIV Prevention and Treatment Programs in 6 Counties in the Central Region of the Republic of Kenya (Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Embu and Tharaka-Nithi). The project aims to support the Government of Kenya (GoK) at the National and County level in its HIV prevention and treatment initiatives towards attaining epidemic control in Kenya.

Job purpose

The Project Director will be responsible for providing overall strategic and technical oversight to the Dhibiti Project in Central region. This includes responsibility for the technical, monitoring and evaluation and financial and operations components of the project. S/he will work closely with the Program Director and other directors/managers to ensure adherence to technical and contractual requirements of the grant, achievement of targets and project alignment to institutional vision and mission, MOH, counties and donor objectives and requirements. S/he will also ensure LVCT Health’s mission and vision is fulfilled and will take a leadership role in liaison with internal and external stakeholders including donors, county government officials, other partners, private sector among others.

Specific Roles & Responsibilities

1.Leadership, Vision and Strategy

• Overall project strategy and management oversight, operations, and supervision of project implementation and ensuring the project meets goals and reporting requirements.
• Driving the vision and mission and organisational culture of the organisation among project staff.
• Keep abreast of new developments and opportunities within the project areas and beyond.
• Nurture innovation and support development of ideas from project staff to develop new strategies for delivering programs.

2. Stakeholder management

• Establishing and fostering relationships with relevant stakeholders including MOH, county governments, beneficiary groups and other implementing partners for effective implementation of the project and visibility of LVCT Health.
• Provide oversight and mentorship to project teams on engagement of county leadership.
• Act as the primary project contact person and liaison, ensuring the project is represented in national technical, policy, and planning forums with the donors, government, and key stakeholders.
• Identify and nurture new relationships to maintain external leadership and visibility for the project.

3. Project Management

• Provide overall technical leadership to the project team, including the development of strategies, work plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, and reporting; in alignment with the CDC and National HIV/TB priorities in Kenya to ensure quality implementation. Be knowledgeable and serve as a technical resource and backstop for the project teams.
• Oversee implementation of project strategies and interventions to ensure the project meets its stated goals and reporting requirements, with accountability to its beneficiaries and CDC.
• Ensure performance tracking is carried out effectively against the annual work plans.
• Coordinate development of the annual workplan/continuation application development.
• Coordinate project performance reviews and use the information to inform new program strategies. Coordinate prompt remedial action on Quarterly presentations/SIMS/TA visit action points.
• Identify and evaluate risks associated with program activities and take appropriate actions to control them.

4. Project Reporting and M&E

• Responsible for ensuring all assigned donor program & financial reports are done accurately and submitted in a timely manner.
• Build capacity of teams to improve quality of program reports e.g. quarterly and annual reports
• Carry out analysis of project data working closely with SI team to inform program improvements and documentation of best practices.
• Provide oversight for project evaluations. Ensure they are aligned to the project priorities and are done in a timely manner.
• Ensure continuous quality improvement mechanisms are put in place across the project.
• Coordinate project TA team visits to programs to ensure efficient program delivery and achievement of targets.

5. Budget, Award and Compliance management

• Keep up to date with the donor’s expectations and requirements, rules and regulations & organisation policies and procedures and provide TA to project teams to ensure compliance.
• Provide oversight to the project operational needs including finance, procurement and ICT and liaise with relevant departments to address them.
• Responsible for financial management of the project including oversight for budgeting, reviewing and approving budgets and liquidations, burn rate monitoring against project performance and ensuring proper use of resources.
• Ensure procurement plans are implemented and regularly review procurements to ensure compliance and minimise waste.
• Ensure sub awards are well managed and funded on time, and are compliant with the relevant policies and procedures.

6. People Management

• Coordinate with HR for recruitment of highly skilled and experienced staff for the Project.
• Line management for direct reports including ensuring updated JDs, performance targets & reviews, leave management, mentorship and capacity building etc.
• Timely and objective staff appraisal across the project with appropriate mentorship and capacity building put in place for all staff in the project.
• Ensure team work and cohesion within the project team.
• Provide regular feedback to staff on emerging issues from management, CDC and County/MOH.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• A minimum of a medical degree and Master’s degree in public health, health administration, management, international health, or related field.
• Ten (10) years of experience in a senior role leading a complex program of similar scope and size as the Dhibiti Project, preferably in a developing country like Kenya.
• Demonstrated expertise in all aspects of TB and TB-HIV/AIDS.
• Seven (7) years of experience building partnerships with national and subnational governments, donors and other multilateral organizations, academia and research institutions, the private sector, local community organizations, and policy think tanks.
• Demonstrated experience in successful program management, including management of functions of complex multi-activity projects.
• Provide strong budget management and oversight to quickly identify problems and take corrective action.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships.
• Proven ability to provide effective and primary representation with high-profile donors and government stakeholders.
• Previous experience implementing and managing PEPFAR-funded programs required.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a good and productive working environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with a capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.
• Excellent relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels, internally and externally.
• Trusted networks across relevant sectors of the program.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).