Save the Children is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated five-year USAID/PEPFAR-funded PREVENTION – EMPOWER program in Malawi. The program will aim to a) expand the use of high quality, integrated, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV prevention services by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 10 to 24; and, b) increase case-finding of undiagnosed HIV-positive individuals in four districts, through targeted outreach testing with robust linkages to ART. HIV case-finding will focus on adult men and young people aged 15-24, who constitute the majority of undiagnosed HIV-positive persons in Malawi.
The COP is expected to provide leadership and direction to ensure the strategic, programmatic, technical, and financial integrity of the program, and is responsible for achieving the planned results set out for the program. The COP will be Save the Children’s primary point of contact with USAID/PEPFAR and all relevant stakeholders. S/he will collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other critical partners to provide high-level support for effective capacity building at the local level and sustainability of the project interventions. S/he will also provide technical assistance on HIV prevention and case finding for young people in key districts in Malawi. The COP will oversee a team of experts and support staff, prepare reports and annual operating plans, align project initiatives with in-country priorities and ensure the program is compliant with USAID and Save the Children’s regulations. The COP will also be responsible for the overall direction and coordination of the activities of any sub-recipient partners under this grant.
- Ensure achievements of the project objectives, as contained in project proposal and guidance; developing strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the grant implementation in line with USAID/PEPFAR guidelines;
- Ensure high quality technical leadership and oversight is in place for the program;
- Ensure that program team, and consortium partners are familiar with program design and targets agreed to in the performance framework;
- Lead team in ensuring proper coordination among local government, country-wide initiatives, community partners, NGOs and other key stakeholders;
- Ensure that relevant technical materials are made available and that appropriate dissemination takes place;
- Ensure good practice by supporting the development of strong M&E mechanisms;
- Ensure program monitoring tools and systems are in place to support high quality implementation by partners;
- Ensure compliance with USAID/PEPFAR regulations, and procedures, including compliance with Save the Children guidelines;
- Ensure compliance with all relevant administrative, human resources, procurement and financial policies and procedures of Save the Children and the donor;
- Represent Save the Children as the prime with partners and key stakeholders, maintain positive relationships with USAID, Ministry of Health, and the Malawi Country Team;
- Cultivate strategic relationships and alliances with other partners and funders, and private sector partnerships
- Increase the visibility of the program through representation at high-level visits with USAID/PEPFAR, and the Ministry of Health.
- Establish, build, and nurture effective teamwork within the EMPOWER team and ensure a cohesive workplace environment for optimum staff retention and motivation;
- Supervise team and provide necessary guidance to ensure that program targets are met;
- Incorporate SC’s vision and values and full adherence to Code of Conduct principles;
- At least 5 years of senior-level experience leading large-scale, complex HIV and/or public health programs, including supervision of technical staff, preferably in ESA;
- An additional 10 years of progressively increasing responsibility working in HIV prevention, family planning/reproductive health or related fields internationally, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa. Specific experience working with HIV testing and SRH service delivery preferred;
- Prior experience managing PEPFAR and/or USAID-funded agreements or contracts;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations;
- Demonstrated ability to establish professional relationships and to work collaboratively with host government agencies, donors, civil society and CBOs.
- Creative problem solving skills with the ability to work effectively in resource-constrained environments is important;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.