Project Director, Building Rights for Improved Girls’ Health in Tanzania” (BRIGHT)  

Project Director, Building Rights for Improved Girls’ Health in Tanzania” (BRIGHT)

Client: Nutrition International - https://www.nutritionintl.org/our-work/our-global-projects/africa/tanzania/

Reports to: Country Director, Tanzania Nutrition International

·       This position is open only to nationals of Tanzania and offers an initial 2-year contract, with the potential for a 2-year extension based on performance and project            needs.

·       Location: Based in Tabora, Tanzania, with regular travel to Dar es salaam

·       Language Skills: Fluent in written and spoken English and understanding Swahili a plus

Introduction:

The Building Rights for Improved Girls' Health in Tanzania (BRIGHT) Project is implemented by Nutrition International (NI), Engender Health (EH), and Young and Alive Initiative (YAI) in partnership with the Government of Tanzania. The project targets all eight councils of the Tabora region and is implemented over a seven-year period. The Project office is based in Tabora.

BRIGHT uses youth-centered, feminist and rights-based interventions to integrate adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and nutrition care practices and interventions. The project is designed to provide young and/or pregnant girls an integrated package of sexual and reproductive health and nutrition services, including family planning /contraception; gender-based violence prevention and protective services; adolescent friendly antenatal, postnatal and post abortion care; nutrition support and counselling and the promotion of life skills. BRIGHT Project is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

This position is open only to nationals of Tanzania and offers an initial 2-year contract, with the potential for a 2-year extension based on performance and project needs.

Overall, Purpose/Broad Function:

The Project Director provides overall leadership for the BRIGHT project and is accountable for the timely and high-quality implementation of all aspects of this project in Tanzania. This includes responsibility for day-to-day planning, implementing, and tracking progress against project deliverables, to ensure targets are met through the efficient and effective management of resources.

A key function of this leadership role will be to develop and steward excellent relationships with project partners, Global Affairs Canada, the Government of Tanzania and with key stakeholders in Tabora region and councils.

The Project Director will supervise a project team comprised of Nutrition International staff and seconded staff from partner organizations.  They are required to work in a close and consultative manner with the BRIGHT Technical Director, Implementation (EngenderHealth) and the Technical Advisor, Nutrition (Nutrition International). They will also collaborate and coordinate with NI staff based in Ottawa and the Africa regional office in Nairobi, Kenya from units such as Program Operations, External Relations and Corporate Services.

The Project Director reports directly to the Country Director, Tanzania and will also work closely with the Global Portfolio Director for Complex Nutrition Projects, who provides a high-level oversight of the project.

Key Duties and responsibilities:

Project Management:

·       Facilitate the articulation of project scope, goals and deliverables and ensure they are understood by project staff, partners and stakeholders.

·       Oversee and work closely with government stakeholders and partners to develop detailed annual workplans that clearly define the strategies, activities and resources               (time, budget $CAN 16 MM and equipment etc.) required for effective implementation of the project; and update workplans regularly to ensure the timely completion           of activities and achievement of the deliverables.

·       Generate new ideas, initiatives and strategies to better meet project objectives and encourage staff and project stakeholders to do the same.

·       Guide the implementation of project activities and ensure project staff and partners are executing the project according to the approved project plan.

·       Manage sub-contracting agreements and relations with service providers and consultants/firms of the project, according to Nutrition International’s policies. This                    includes the development of Terms of Reference, service provided and consultant/firm selection, contracting, monitoring and end of contract processes.

·       Initiate and support project quality improvements through the project cycle by working closely with the Technical Director and Advisors, monitoring, data and                      learning and budgeting and compliance focal persons at project, regional and headquarter levels as well as the Country Director.

·       Liaise with NI’s program team in the region and headquarters to ensure adequate operational oversight and quality assurance.

·       Ensure a strong integration of gender equality and safeguarding across all elements of the project.

Partnership Management:

·       Cultivate and manage strong, collaborative relationships with implementing partners, local government authorities (LGAs), and other key stakeholders. Ensure open                communication channels and a shared understanding of the project’s goals, responsibilities, and timelines.

·       Identify and engage with potential new partners that align with the project's objectives, ensuring their capacities complement the project's needs and strategies.

·       Address any conflicts or challenges arising within partnerships swiftly and constructively, maintaining a focus on project goals and ensuring all partners are working                harmoniously towards the shared objectives.

·       Support partners in building their capacity to meet project requirements and to sustainably manage their roles within the project framework.

Project learning and effectiveness:

·       Work closely with the monitoring, data and learning team to ensure a monitoring plan is developed and followed and the information contributes to NI’s goals.

·       Ensure monitoring data is analyzed and used for course correction as needed.

·       Ensure project evaluations are conducted in a timely way and adhere to NI’s high technical standards for data quality.

·       Work with the project partners, technical advisors and Country Director to conduct regular learning reviews and ensure this information is utilized to improve and                correct course programming.

·       Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in on project progress.

·       Develop forms and records to document project activities and set up a system to ensure that all project information is appropriately documented, secured and shared.

·       Prepare reports according to the donor calendar that captures progress on project plans, significant project achievements and NI’s contribution to change.

Human resource management:

·       Ensure the overall leadership of the project team in accordance with NI and partner values.

·       Ensure the performance of project staff is effectively appraised and that mentoring needs or training required to improve staff performance are identified and supported.

·       Ensure staff profiles are in line with agreed qualifications required for the project.

·       Manage NI employees’ contracts, seconded staff agreements and consultants in a timely manner and according to local legislation and NI/partner policies.

·       In consultation with partners, interview, select, hire and induct new project team members and/or consultants with appropriate skill for the jobs and ensure all new staff          receive appropriate orientation to the project.

Financial management:

·       Ensure that the contracts database is regularly updated, regular relevant reports are generated, and budget variances are adequately explained and managed.

·       Develop quarterly cash flow projections and monitor actuals and review variance analysis monthly to ensure the project operates within its budget parameters.

·       Ensure that partners set up appropriate financial procedures and tools required to be in alignment with NI requirements and standards.

·       Ensure all project funds are managed according to established accounting policies and procedures.

·       Liaise with Corporate Services to ensure adherence to NI finance and contracting policy and procedures; trouble shoot, and support improvements as needed.

Donor relations, external representation and advocacy:

·       Build and strengthen relationships with key project stakeholders and partners to ensure the project is harmonized with other donors funded project/programs and                    facilitates government leadership and ownership.

·       Ensure timely responses to donors and other key stakeholder inquiries and concerns.

·       Represent Nutrition International and the BRIGHT project at sub-national, national and international conferences, as well as play active role on sub-national level task          forces and alliances in line with the scope of the project.

·       Ensure positive communication and build a positive relationship with the donor and government agencies at national, regional and local level.

·       Jointly with the Country Director meet with the donor regularly to provide updates and discuss challenges.

Office management:

·       Ensure that the budget for office management is properly and transparently managed, in liaison with the Corporate Service Director – Africa.

·       Ensure the project office space and environment meets acceptable standards of safety, security and hygiene, and is properly maintained; and

·       Any other task as requested by the Country Director.

Supervisory Responsibilities

·       The post directly supervises three staff:

·       Technical Director Implementation,

·       Senior Project Officer-MEAL

·       Finance Officer

Education/Professional Designations/Experience:

·       A Master’s degree from a recognized university in one of the following areas: nutrition, public health, international development and/or a related field.

·       10 years of work experience with NGOs, UN agencies or similar working on public health, reproductive health, food security and/or nutrition related programs with at          least 5 years of experience working in gender in Tanzania or elsewhere in a project management or senior technical role.

·       Demonstrated experience in managing complex partnerships with multiple stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and international organizations.                       Experience in fostering collaborative environments and ensuring the alignment of partner activities with overall project goals is essential.

·       Able to work as part of multi-cultural global team in a dynamic and growing organization.

·       Expertise and commitment to integrating gender equality into public health and/or development programs.

·       Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.

·       Superior communications skills (oral and written), including good technical writing and presentation skills in English and Swahili.

·       Strong expertise in health system strengthening is an added advantage.

·       The post holder will regularly interact with young adolescents and youth within the Project. Therefore, a strong understanding of Safeguarding Principles is essential

Language Skills:

·       Fluent in written and spoken English and understanding Swahili is an added advantage

Travel Requirements:

·       Based in Tabora, Tanzania, with regular travel to Dar es salaam

Other Specific Skill Requirements:

·       Strengths in inspiring and enabling others through teamwork, training, and organizational development to realize organization objectives.

·       Proven ability to think strategically.

·       Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.

·       Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility.

·       Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

·       Comfort working with numbers (budget, program data).

·       Ability to consistently work ahead to meet deadlines in a calm and organized manner.

·       Very good presentation skills.

·       Discretion.

·       Integrity.

TO APPLY Nutrition International has hired Global Recruitment Specialists to assist with sourcing applicants for this position. Candidates are welcome to contact GRS with inquiries or to apply directly with a Cover letter and CV to: Jill Solomon, Senior Recruiter, Global Recruitment Specialists "Positioning You for Success", Norwalk, CT 06851 USA

Apply for the Program Director, BRIGHT Tanzania via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/3uzek866

NI is a non-smoking work environment. The client complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

NOTE: This job description can and will be amended as required from time to time.