Associate Director of Programs

Associate Director of Programs
November 2012

Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental international humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working toward the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.  Concern’s  Innovations Project for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health is an initiative that field tests new ways to overcome barriers to and improve access and delivery of health services for women and children in India, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Concern Worldwide US, which manages this project, is seeking an Associate Director of Programs to supervise field staff and oversee nine field projects from our NY head-quarters. If you are a strong manager with deep experience in implementing and evaluating MNCH projects, this position offers you an almost unique opportunity to test the impact of multiple new ideas across several countries, working with a broad range of unusual partners and pioneering different approaches to project design and implementation. 

Job Purpose

The Associate Director of Programs will have the exciting and engaging role of ensuring that the Innovations’ pilot and research projects are well-implemented on the ground in five countries as part of action research aimed at testing innovative solutions to long-standing MNCH challenges. As the five new pilot projects move through their different stages (design, implementation, advocacy and post-pilot transition) and the four existing pilot projects continue with implementation and move to evaluation, the Associate Director of Programs will ensure that all the Innovations projects on the ground are creative, flexible, well-run and highly participatory, offering a clear framework for robust research and monitoring and evaluation. S/he will also be a crucial part of helping to analyze and communicate policy, practice, and research lessons from each individual project and from the Innovations process overall. 

The Associate Director of Programs will play a key role in the Innovations senior management team and will report to the Innovations Director. S/he will work closely with all members of the New York HQ staff, in particular, the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) Manager and the Senior Advisor, MNCH, and will supervise six direct reports, including country-based Program Managers in the field. The Associate Director of Programs will also work closely with contracted global and local implementing and research agencies, and liaise with other Concern Worldwide staff in the US, Dublin, and in country offices. This position is based in New York and will require frequent travel (30-40%) to project sites. More information on the Innovations Project can be found on our website (www.innovationsformnch.org).

RESPONSIBILITIES
The ADP’s key tasks will be:

Manage, oversee, and coordinate support for each project in the field:

• Directly manage in-country program managers
• Coordinate with implementing and research agencies and consultants
• Coordinate with technical RME & MNCH expert staff and consultants
• Coordinate with Learning, Policy and Knowledge Management staff and Communications and Advocacy staff.

Help oversee the entire Innovations initiative as part of a 4-person senior leadership team (including Innovations Director, Associate Director of Finance and Operations, and Associate Director of Communications and Advocacy.

Assist in reporting to external and internal audiences about project implementation, initial research and M&E findings, policy implications, and lessons learned. Contribute to reports to the Innovations funder, the Concern US Board of Directors, and the Concern Worldwide management at international headquarters in Dublin and in country offices.

REQUIREMENTS

• At least 10 years of total experience, at HQ and in the field, in the area of maternal, newborn and child health projects, preferably with experience in both clinical and community-based initiatives
• Direct project management experience in MNCH projects in Africa
• Experience supporting complex, multi-country initiatives from HQ
• Experience with action and operations research related to MNCH issues
• A Masters-level degree in Public Health or a relevant discipline
• Outstanding project and people management skills
• Strong track record in fostering effective working relationships with stakeholders at various levels
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills
• A demonstrated willingness to think creatively, to problem-solve, and to try new approaches
• Commitment to the core values and vision of Concern Worldwide

SALARY
Commensurate with experience and salary history. This position is grant-funded and is expected to end by mid-2015.

APPLICATION
Email cover letter and resume to hr.innovations@concern.net, with Associate Director of Programs in the subject line.  The deadline for applications is 30 January 2013.  No phone calls please.

Concern Worldwide US is an equal opportunity employer.

 Moreinfo: http://www.concernusa.org/Public/News.aspx?Id=1042