Jhpiego Ghana Job Vacancy For Technical Director

The Technical Director will provide technical leadership and project oversight for an upcoming USAID health systems strengthening project. The project will support the Government of Ghana to accelerate achievement of universal health coverage and bridge the inequity gap in health services, using the national Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) approach to primary health care service delivery nationally as a mechanism for achieving this goal. Working closely with Ghana Health Service (GHS), the project will strengthen vital health system building blocks (management and leadership; health information systems; health workforce; supply chain and infrastructure; and health financing) to ensure access to, and use of, high-quality health services by all Ghanaians. The project will operate over a five-year period.

The position will operate under the leadership of the Chief of Party and Jhpiego’s senior management team, and will oversee and ensure the technical and methodological soundness of all project activities. In collaboration with project team and partners, the position will support the design and implementation of service delivery strategies based on scientific evidence

 This position is contingent upon award from USAID. Ghanaian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Provide technical oversight, strategic direction and definition of appropriate project activities
• Establish and implement a system to ensure technical quality of project activities
• Develop and/or update evidence-based training materials, standards, job aids, and curricula, supervisory systems needed for implementation of the Project to meet the needs of USAID and the Government of Ghana
• Provide mentoring and capacity building at the individual and organizational level in specific areas of expertise relating to health systems strengthening
• Provide technical assistance for conducting site assessments and strengthening referral systems, in-service and/or pre-service education, and supportive supervision
• Coordinate advocacy, demand generation, and policy support, across project sites as required
• Lead the formulation of innovative approaches for strengthening health systems
• Actively participate in relevant technical advisory/working groups and professional forums representing Jhpiego
• Work with health care providers, local authorities, community members and project team members to identify health systems issues that impede access to care and uptake of services
• Identify and implement appropriate facility- and community-based strategies to address health system gaps
• Identify training needs for clinical and community healthcare providers and assist in the design and implementation of measures to address those needs
• Work closely with the Chief of Party on setting project priorities and directions, and responding to requests for support from local counterparts
• Work with M&E staff to design, implement a plan to track data/results related to health systems strengthening to inform adjustments in project implementation
• Collaborate with all local stakeholders and implementing partners, especially the Ministry of Health and other US and international implementing partners, to ensure that all activities conform to the requirements and regulations
• Document successes, lessons learned and challenges in implementation as well as reports of project activities and results to the project and donor, including routine quarterly
• and annual reports and other reporting requirements as requested
• Document and maintain an inventory of successful tools and approaches for health systems strengthening
• Author/co-author abstracts, presentations, and articles for journals and conferences
• Supervise technical staff
• Manage technical contributions of subgrantees, including defining scopes of work
• Cultivate strong working relationships with USAID and GHS, other implementing partners, private sector partners and other key stakeholders in Ghana to maximize resources and avoid duplication of effort
• Provide technical leadership to the development the project strategic plan, work plan, and project monitoring, in close collaboration with USAID, GHS, partners and the project team to ensure timely implementation and compliance to the requirements and regulations of the award

• Master’s degree in public health, health administration, international health or a related field; advanced degree is a plus.
• At least 10 years’ experience implementing and/or providing technical assistance in the implementation of progressively complex, multi-faceted health programs in Africa
• Extensive knowledge and experience in strengthening health systems in the developing world, including human resources issues, planning and management in decentralized systems, and health financing, including performance-based financing
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in establishing project systems and overseeing project start-up and close-out
• Previous experience working in Ghana, with intimate understanding of local health system, gaps and opportunities, and solid relationships at government agencies
• Experience hiring and supervising personnel and ensuring they acquire the necessary training and skills to meet evolving project needs
• Experience in effective personnel management, coordination, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships at various levels with USAID, other donors, other projects, high-level host-country government counterparts and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector in African contexts
• In-depth knowledge of USAID projects, regulations, compliance and reporting requirements
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, organizational, team-building, and representational skills
• Track record in identifying and applying best practices to specific project contexts
• Excellent skills in facilitation, team building, coaching/ mentorship, and coordination
• Strong understanding of the intersections between monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, and communications
• Excellent verbal, written interpersonal and presentation skills in English
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally up to 40% of the time