Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.
Department Program Operations (PrOps) - Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Program Operations teams contribute to realizing this by: ensuring effective project management through supporting project startups, implementation, reporting and financial management as well as closeouts; portfolio coordination: providing a coordinating role across departments in DC that support country offices and programs; working with country teams to develop, refine and pursue their strategies by leveraging technical knowledge (our own and others) and supporting business development as needed; knowledge sharing and learning: enhancing communication between country offices and DC-based teams to ensure better understanding of the diverse operating environments and program approaches.
Position Overview
Pact seeks an experienced Country Manager/Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Local Health Systems Solutions (LHESS) Activity, which is expected to be released in 2023. The purpose of this activity is to support Liberia’s MoH in strengthening critical components of the health system to improve access and affordability, thus increasing patient outcomes at all levels and focuses on three core objectives:
- Obj 1 - Strengthened Decentralization Structures at national and subnational level to drive health system performance.
- Obj 2 - Strengthened systems for delivery of quality health services; and
- Obj 3 - Increased financial protection through reduced out-of-pocket spending on health care.
This is anticipated to be a five-year activity (2024-2029). This position is contingent upon award.
Key Responsibilities
The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and the overall management and operations of the Activity as well as Pact Liberia office. The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID/Liberia development objectives. The COP will take a leadership role in coordination of all activities across all relevant parties including USAID, the Government of the Liberia, local organizations, key stakeholders, and implementing partners. The COP will also oversee all project staff and consortium partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities.
As the Country Manager, the individual will be the main contact for all organizational matters pertaining to Pact Liberia office and will liaise with Pact DC office teams, Africa Regional office and other country offices.
The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below:
- Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the project’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans.
- Serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Contract or Agreement Officer’s Representative (C/AOR) on management and technical matters.
- Ensure compliance with USAID rules/regulations and Pact processes.
- Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements.
- Take a leadership role in coordination among USAID and key stakeholders, including partners, government stakeholders, civil society, and other USAID projects.
- Promote the use of recognized evidence-based tools and promising innovations in public health for strengthening the capacities of public health practitioners.
- Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.
- Liaise closely with Pact Regional Director and Finance team, and Pact’s U.S. team to ensure that all project activities are compliant with USG rules and regulations, as well as consistent Pact’s policies, procedures and best practices.
- Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and technical and financial reports) in accordance with the highest standards.
- Oversee project budget and work in close coordination with Activity and Pact DC finance leadership to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact’s resources.
- Support the implementation of a highly adaptive, context-driven programmatic approach.
- Provide strategic management and oversight of the project’s partner portfolio.
- Manage a team of flexible and adaptive employees and oversee evidence-based adjustments in programming to achieve greater impact.
- Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information in an efficient and timely manner.
- Ensure the program meets programmatic and financial targets and makes accurate projections.
- Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID and Pact’s thought leadership in building public health resilience.
- Ensure that Pact’s operations in Liberia are compliant with national laws and regulations, and that Pact’s good reputation is maintained.
- Champion and disseminate Pact’s values and strategic priorities to other staff.
Basic Requirements
- Master's degree with eleven (11) years work experience or bachelor's degree with at least thirteen (13+) years work experience. Graduate degree in public health or relevant field strongly prefered.
- At least six (6+) years management experience, preferably as a COP or in a comparable managerial position on donor-funded health projects, preferably for USAID programs.
- At least ten (10) years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with demonstrable experience in public health, health systems, and health policy.
- Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments.
- Experience working on and leading teams for USAID contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
- Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners with conflict sensitivity.
- Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders, including local organizations, government institutions, private sector entities, and US Government agencies.
- Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
- Fluency in English (oral, writing, and reading)
- Experience with national health policy development and implementation
- Ability to travel within Liberia and occasionally internationally.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience managing highly adaptive programs, as well as applying systems-driven approaches and/or thinking and working politically (TWP) principles.
- Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Liberia.
- Broad understanding of public health, health systems, and health policy and practice in Liberia.
- Preference for individuals with experience leading performance-based financing or health quality assurance projects.
- Liberian nationals, especially women, are strongly encouraged to apply.