JOB OPPORTUNITY
MSI Nigeria is a result-oriented social enterprise, which uses modern management and marketing techniques to provide reproductive health care and allied services. MSI Nigeria’s goal is to meet the needs of underserved Nigerians and dramatically improve access and use of a range of reproductive health services.
MSI Nigeria is part of Marie Stopes International’s Global Partnership which is in over 37 countries worldwide and it operates in Nigeria through six service delivery channels.
POSITION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS
LOCATION: ABUJA
OBJECTIVES:
The Assistant Director, Programmes (AD-Prog) is a key member of the Programme Operations Team and will work closely with Regional Managers, project team and other units to achieve MSI objectives. S/he is responsible for supporting the delivering of strategies targeted to field operations implementation of MSI’s channel objectives in all the regions drawing support from the Director, Programme Operations.
She/he supports the Programme Operations Director in directing the operational activities of the organisation to ensure effective implementation, continual improvement and strengthening of MSI’s service delivery channels and regions. These include donor project implementation, relationship management, partnership management with partner institutions, procurement and logistics, fleet management and coordination for MSI field implementation team members.
Reporting to Programme Operations Director, the holder will be responsible for achieving operation’s productivity growth, and effective management. He/she supports the coordination, preparation and execution of field operating budgets, and work plans; ensures that financial, administrative, and logistical resources to field programme operations team adheres to MSI minimum standards; and assures quality operations in line with annual and long-term strategic goals and objectives.
KEY OBJECTIVES:
Field Operations Coordination
• Support regional and state teams in the development of annual and quarterly budgets and financial performance targets and monitoring budget management and performance including determining and managing risk to programme.
• Ensure equitable distribution of resources according to the workplans and resource needs of all MSI’s regions.
• Monitor progress of field activities and adjust as necessary to ensure successful completion of set objectives working with and through the regional managers in assigned region. This will include managing the regional managers performance on delegated responsibility with periodic feedback as necessary.
• In coordination with HR, Finance, Procurement & Logistics team
a. Coordinate support of field logistics to operations team ensuring that systems including ordering, transportation, delivery, storage, and control and reporting on the use of program, projects and team supplies are in accordance with MSI policies.
b. Work with regional teams to implement an effective system for the supply of commodities to match client demands while ensuring all regional staff have adequate working tools to aid delivery of objectives.
• Support the Director Programme Operations in ensuring that all relevant regional team members are trained in all aspects of compliance with donor rules and regulations and related MSI standards and policies.
• Set up new teams and/or regions; leading in launching new offices and supporting them to grow to high productivity and efficiency.
• Work closely with field operations team members in taking a strategic, forward-looking role in establishing MSI future programme direction, with particularly focusing on driving MSI programme towards sustainability, and ensuring the organisation plays a leading role in improving health demographics in Nigeria
• Work with RMs to draft and implement field operations workplans in consultation and coordination with other departments including overseeing field operations budget management reviews and approvals in assigned regions.
• Ensure clear, timely communication between all departments on all aspects of regional programme implementation and management.
Advocacy and Stakeholder Management
• Support the regional managers in the formation of effective partnerships within the development arena to increase the status and level of recognition for MSI’s work and to influence policy, practice and grant making decisions of donors and the NGO sector in assigned region.
• Ensure visibility and raise the profile of MSI among key stakeholders, including selected donors’ partners, by organizing and attending meetings and maintaining professional relationships with strategically placed individuals within target institutions for smooth regional operations and overall MSI programme success
• Create and support opportunities to highlight MSI policy messages and technical expertise to a wider audience through media channels and special events, linking with communications and clinical teams as required.
• Build strong relationships with key policy makers and cooperating partners to influence policy change and place MSI in a strong position.
• Work with the external engagement unit to regularly take stock of the external environment through external stakeholder assessments and evaluations and allowing the results to help guide MSI’s strategic and external relations plans.
• Support the regional teams in leveraging on relationships with influential people to the benefit of the region and country programme, such as in recognition or funding.
Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Collate monthly, quarterly and annual Operations reports flowing from each regional/state reports.
• Produce operations monthly factsheet and quarterly MSI Newsletter.
• Manage and report periodically on the field implementation of MSI annual work-plan among others.
• Work with the Operations Director to ensure operations data management alignment with field strategy, agreement on annual targets and inclusion of data collection and analysis activities in the work plan.
• Work with RMs to ensure at least one human interest story or success story are produced monthly. This must be well documented and presented as part of quarterly reports.
• Produce progress reports for the Line Manager for assigned regions on a regular basis.
Leadership
• As a senior member of the operations team, demonstrate a strong commitment to MSI’s mission and goals and encourage a similar commitment from all team members.
• Link, train and harmonise different departments of the organisation to work efficiently together to meet field operations requirements as well as achieve MSI goals.
• Ensure that a high level of communication is maintained with other MSI departments, as well as with external partners and MSI.
• Encourage a positive culture, work environment and attitude among all team members.
• From time to time represent the organisation at meetings, workshops, press conferences, or other forums.
REQUIRED, SKILL, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATION:
To perform this role, it is essential that you have the following skills:
• Excellent leadership skills: with the ability to motivate others to exceed expectations and to up skill other managers to reflect the same behaviours.
• Conflict management, negotiation and resolution skills and experience
• Strong management skills; able to manage performance effectively and support others during times of change.
• Ability to influence and communicate with stakeholders, both internal and external
• Strong analytical skills – the ability to accurately interpret data both financial and statistical and take relevant actions.
• Track record of delivering quality results and impact in previous roles
• Adaptable during times of change and ambiguity and able to quickly gain the cooperation of other departments and external parties.
To perform this role, it is essential that you have the following experience:
• Over 10 years post NYSC experience in INGO managing programmes, operations, and field support.
• Master Degree in Management, Administration, Health Science, Social Science, or International Development Management
• Experience in a senior management role of a medium to large organisation, with a proven track record of leading and motivating dynamic teams in developing countries
• Significant experience in managing donor -funded, health related projects, including technical and financial management and compliance (USAID, EC, and DFID experience valued).
• Significant experience in managing donor -funded, health related projects, including technical and financial management and compliance (USAID, EC, and DFID experience valued)
• Thorough understanding of health interventions and approaches in developing country setting.
• Proven track record in external relations, fundraising and communication.
• Sound knowledge of family planning, reproductive and maternal health an advantage
Note: There are no relocation allowances available for this position.
Interested persons may send a comprehensive resume with a brief cover letter as ONE MS Word document or PDF to [email protected] no later than December 29th, 2023. If you wish to be considered for the post, please specify the position in the subject line. Note that if the underline instructions are not followed application will not be considered.
MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, colour, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.
