Back Project Director- Global Fund Malaria, Mali

Job Title: Project Director – Global Fund Malaria, Mali
Job Location: Bamako, Mali
Job Type: Regular, Full Time
Reports to: Head of Programming
Start Date: October 1, 2021

About CRS
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.
CRS has been operating in Mali since 1999 supporting relief and development operations in the country. Over the past years, CRS engaged in health, humanitarian response, education, agriculture, and peacebuilding/social cohesion. CRS has developed strong relationships with government line ministries, partners, and communities we serve in the country, implementing a multi-sectoral program portfolio.
CRS Mali has been engaged in Malaria work since 2015 with work on the ACCESS-SMC project, and partnere d with PSI in 2017 as a sub-recipient on their Global Fund Malaria grant in charge of delivering Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) activities in 19 health districts. CRS applied for and was granted the Principal Recipient role for the Global Fund malaria NFM3 grant slated to be implemented from 2022-2024. The new grant will support Mali’s National Malaria Control Program implement its malaria control strategy towards its 2030 vision of “a Mali without Malaria.” Specific objectives for 2024 include the reduction of the mortality rate from malaria by at least 60% compared to 2015, the reduction of malaria incidence by at least 60% compared to 2015, and strengthen coordination and program management capacities at all levels.
Job Summary:
As Global Fund Malaria Project Director, you will provide overall leadership to the Global Fund Malaria and health system strengthening project team and be responsible for the overall management of the project including the quality of programmatic implementation (monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning) and administrative elements of the project to serve the poor and vulnerable as well as relationship with the GFATM, Ministry of Health/National Malaria Control Program and different services and other public, private and non-government stakeholders. You are responsible for ensuring that project results are achieved on time and on budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability (in like with the High-Performing Implementers strategy), and that the budget is consumed as planned. As a senior leader, you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.
Roles & Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the GF Malaria project. Provide oversight for all aspects of program quality, program management, representation, and human resources. Serve as the primary point of contact to GFATM as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders including SRs. Ensure that the project will be ready to begin implementation on January 1, 2022.
• Ensure strategic objectives and results are accomplished and meet technical quality standards through annual and quarterly activity planning and budget forecasts. Lead quarterly technical review of implementation plans.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and recruitment process of senior staff.
• Coordinate with Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Accountability (MEAL) Manager to oversee the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation system, using appropriate forms, procedures, and tools for data collection and analysis, promote ICT4D as the basis for measuring, documenting and reporting outcomes.
• Manage and mitigate risk. Ensure compliance in GF Malaria grant including oversight of partner budgets, finance and administration, and reporting to GFATM.
• Coordinate relationships with consortium partner organizations. Contribute to coordination of roles and activities of staff from consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high-quality training and technical assistance in line with the High-Performing Implementer program.
• Ensure that the “limited cash policy” is respected, progressively evaluated and develop/update “limited cash policy” alleviation plans with Ministry of Health and its programs & entities.
• Maintain regular and positive communication with the PNLP as well as with Global Fund officials, ensuring problems are rapidly identified and proactively and effectively addressed.

Basic Qualifications

• Medical doctorate or Masters degree in Public Health, International Development, International Relations or a related field.
• 5 or more years’ relevant experience managing large scale development grants, preferably focusing on Health and Malaria.
• Proven track record of successful Global Fund (GFATM) funded program management, including management of multi-activity projects, complicated logistics and large budgets, as well as health products & medical commodities.
• At least three years of supervisory experience, including performance evaluation, coaching and mentoring.

Required Languages –French fluency required; English fluency a benefit.
Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing Global Fund grant, preferred.
• Knowledge & experience of Partnership strategy and Partner Capacity Building.
• Commitment to local leadership and empowering local actors.
• Prior experience working in Mali, preferred.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management and project management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Deputy Director, MEAL Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Risk and Compliance Manager, Finance Coordinator, Communication Specialist, Administrative Assistant

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.