MSH Technical Director Job in Kenya

Strengthening Public Health Laboratory Systems in the Republic of Kenya under PEPFAR

Position Description

Title: Technical Director / Deputy Project Director

Band: 7

Reports To: Project Director

Location: Kenya

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a nonprofit international health organization founded in 1971. Our mission is to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. 

Together with our partners, we are helping managers and leaders in developing countries to create stronger management systems that improve health services for the greatest health impact.

The Project goal is to strengthen and expand public health laboratory systems and develop indigenous capacity in Kenya to support HIV prevention, treatment and care as part of the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS relief.

Overall Responsibilities:

The Technical Director /Deputy Project Director will lead, direct, mentor and monitor the team of local technical laboratory staff carrying out approved activities to strengthen laboratory systems and services in Kenya in order to support and improve HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programs.  

In collaboration with the Project Director, she will contribute significantly to providing the overall vision, strategic direction and state-of-the-art technical approaches for the project. 

She willdetermine the scopes of work and will work closely with the project’s M&E specialist in the negotiation of performance indicators and targets to ensure that expectations and required results are fully understood. 

She will monitor the project’s technical progress against benchmarks to ensure that project deliverables are met and supervise relevant project support functions. 

She will demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of technical skills and utilization of effective, up-to-date methods of providing technical assistance and building local capacity.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Lead and supervise the project technical activities to ensure that the work is technically and logistically sound, collaborative, timely, and is conducted in line with the donor-approved project work plan and budget.
2. Ensure that technical work plans and budgets and individual staff action plans are developed and implemented in a timely manner and that the various activities and outputs are clearly linked to the overall project performance monitoring plan.
3. With the Project Director, ensure that the project has adequate staff to carry out high-quality work and that staff are recruited and hired in accordance with project requirements.
4. Supervise the laboratory technical staff, as assigned. Supervisory responsibilities include, but are not limited to regular meetings with supervisees to discuss issues, track progress, provide guidance and support, and ensure consistent quality of work performed; conducting Performance Planning and Reviews; communicating, implementing and ensuring adherence to MSH policies, guidelines and values; developing staff skills and knowledge; approving time sheets; and facilitating supervisee success whenever possible.
5. Act as the main point of contact for the subcontractor (AMREF) and short term consultants and oversee their performance.
6. Work with the Project Director to prepare and present annual and quarterly project progress and technical reports to MSH, CDC/USG, MOH and other partners.
7. In partnership with the Project Director, meet regularly with senior Government of Kenya officials, CDC, collaborating partners, and other stakeholders to share progress, accomplishments and challenges and to advocate and ensure technical assistance activities result in skills transfer in sustainable ways.  Consult frequently with CDC on the current and future strategic direction of the project.
8. Act as the deputy to the Project Director and serve as a member of the Senior Project Management Team.
9. Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience:

1. Basic medical or science degree from a recognized university, plus a higher qualification (Doctoral or Master’s Degree) in clinical pathology, microbiology, public health or related field essential
2. Clinical Pathologist,Laboratory Scientistor Public Health professional, with at least 8 years’ experience at a senior level in managing clinical and public health laboratories essential.
3. Be registered  with the appropriate  regulatory authority such as the  Kenya Medical Practitioners’ and Dentists Board , Kenya Medical  Laboratory Technicians’ and Technologists’  Board ( KMLTTB).
4. Experience in implementing and managing CDC, USAID, WHO, GFATM or other donor-funded health projects related to laboratory systems development, preferred
5. Ability to guide strategy development, manage technical implementation of projects and lead a team as well as ability to supervise, mentor and coach other project staff. 
6. Experience in monitoring and evaluating project outputs and ensuring timely completion of project activities in a fast-paced environment.
7. Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with colleagues and partners.
8. Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to advocate and bring about consensus with senior government officials and numerous stakeholders.
9. Computer literacy; competency with Office, internet and email systems.
10. Fluency in English and Swahili is required, and ability to work in other local languages is a plus.
11. Willingness and availability to travel extensively within Kenya and elsewhere as required.

Please apply by going to https://jobs-msh.icims.com/jobs/5571/technical-director-deputy-project-director/job and sending Curriculum Vitea.