Senior Project Manager at Malaria Consortium

Malaria Consortium Nigeria is committed to tackling the large number of malaria cases and deaths in the country. Working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other partners, we lead and support three major malaria control initiatives in the country: Support to the National Malaria Control Programme (SuNMaP); NetWorks and MAPS. Our areas of focus include:
Technical support for malaria control
Capacity building, harmonisation and training of health workers
Heath systems strengthening
Behaviour Change Communications and community outreach activities
Operational research, policy and advocacyJob purpose

The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for the overall management, coordination and harmonisation of the LSM project, and will lead project implementation activities ensuring consistency with the project’s performance framework, and in line with Malaria Consortium’s core values.
S/he will lead the project team and liaise closely with the Principal Investigator and the Public Health Specialist.

Scope of work

The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for delivery and achievements of the project goal and objectives and ensure that all planned activities are implemented on schedule, within budget and at the expected quality standard.

Key working relationships

This role involves working closely with the project team and Kebbi State government officials, in particular the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP), Malaria Consortium’s Principal Investigator, Public Health Specialist, the project’s State Project Manager, M&E Officer and Data Analyst, research investigators, field staff, and consultants, to ensure all study components are implemented according to relevant work plans.
The Senior Project Manager reports to the Public Health Specialist, with dotted line reporting to the Principal Investigator.
The Senior Project Manager will have a line management role for the State Project Manager and Data Analyst.

Key accountabilities (percent of time spent on each area)
Project management (60%):

Manage the project to ensure that all activities are implemented according to plan and milestones are achieved on time, within budget and at the required quality standards
Lead the work plan development in collaboration with the project team and leads of the various project components
Prepare and process the requisition and procurement of LSM supplies in consultation with the leads of each project component and the Principal Investigator and the Public Health Specialist
Ensure smooth functioning of the project’s logistics for efficient implementation of all activities
Coordinate the planning and assignment of human resources to the various project components, including training and mobilisation of field staff and consultants, and allocation and harmonisation of technical assistance.
Ensure that project budgets are developed and approved on time
Actively oversee management of project budget, including compliance with established cost categories, monthly review and correction of transaction lists, analysis of monthly budget versus actual reports, and quarterly financial forecasting.
Organise project meetings and staff training programmes when required.
Request fees, per diem, accommodation and transport payments for field staff, consultants and Malaria Consortium staff as necessary and ensure the payments are made on time in collaboration with relevant staff.
Ensure that the project’s research data are collected and recorded accurately and stored in appropriate databases in collaboration with the M&E Officer and Data Analyst.
Provide supportive supervision to ensure that activities in the field and project LSM sites and health facilities are carried out according to plan
Responsible for line management of the project’s State Project Manager  and Data Analyst.
Liaise with laboratories sub-contracted to carry out sample analysis in close coordination with the project technical team  and process the necessary service contracts and fees, and ensure efficient transfer of samples and analysis results.
Participate in relevant Malaria Consortium’s activities and work on issues and tasks assigned by the line manager.

Technical performance management and quality assurance (30%):

Implement project deliverables using the Country Technical Quality Assurance System as a guide to assure the quality of the work.
Monitor project progress using the appropriate templates for reporting on achievements against targets quarterly and ensure data is entered into the organisational projects database, PReS
Develop and submit regular progress reports including achievements and successes, challenges and lessons learned.
Organise periodic and timely progress update meetings with the Principal Investigator

Representation (10%):

Represent the project at internal Malaria Consortium meetings, and in consultation with the Principal Investigator and the Public Health Specialist   in external meetings as necessary.
Work with the Principal Investigator and the Public Health Specialist to keep state level stakeholders abreast of the project.
Liaise, negotiate with partners and provide advice to SMEP, co-investigators, and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth implementation of the project, communicate project plans and progress and to solicit support.
Represent Malaria Consortium on NMEP’s coordination platforms.

Person specification
Qualifications and experience
Essential:    

A post-graduate Degree or a postgraduate qualification in Public-health related field or equivalent work experience in project management of developmental programmes.
Substantial experience in project management in public health-related projects
Experience coordinating field-level activities and engaging with government and other project stakeholders
Work experience in donor-funded public health-related projects in budget and financial management
Language fluency in English, written and verbal.

 Desirable:

Qualification in project management
Experience in coordinating field-based research or surveys, including malaria or vector control studies
Experience in database management.

Work-based skills
Essential: 

Demonstrable project management skills
Strong analytical skills, including collecting and analysing data or information and Ability to manage and prioritize high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines solving problems
Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to make complex information understandable to diverse audiences
Ability to manage performing teams
Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel
Excellent presentation skills
A team player, with a friendly attitude
Proactive and takes initiative as required
Results-oriented work ethic.

Desirable: 

 Familiar with value-for-money principles
Ability to collaborate with a diverse range of partners at state and national levels