Responsibilities
The Managing Director will be accountable for delivering on FP2030’s strategic objectives and program activities in the NCWA region.
Strategic Planning and Management:
- Provide strategic direction to the NWCA FP2030 hub for the advancement of family planning policies, programs, and financing.
- Ensure regional program is in line with regional needs and context and is well placed to address the gaps in family planning and amplify program excellence.
- Oversee and actively cultivate coordination among regional and country partners to meet FP2030 commitments and towards fulfilling 2030 Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on changing the narrative of family planning among policy makers as key in development; advocacy for sustainable financing for family planning, fostering innovative practices that accelerate progress and ensuring family planning programs include the marginalised.
- Will lead in the conceptualisation and setting up of a Global Centre of Excellence for Adolescents and Youth in Family Planning
- Manage the budget and workplan for the Regional Hub, working closely with the hub host organization, supporting partner and with FP2030’s Executive Director and ensuring that both align with all policies and requirements of the hub host organization and have approval by FP2030’s Executive Director.
- Keep up to date with new trends in the FP field and develop partnerships for advocacy and accountability work, helping identify gaps in regional networking or the potential to develop new approaches wherever possible.
- Oversee and ensure the smooth flow of information for the region, including meeting deadlines and ensuring the correct internal procedures are followed.
- Keep the Hub host organization and supporting partner directors apprised of issues that may affect implementation or that need resolution.
External Relations/Stakeholder Management:
- Convene and organize regional meetings for commitment-making countries in the region and ensure proper follow up and deliverables are met.
- Actively contribute and lead regional engagement on the formation of the Presidential Task Force on Family Planning for selected countries
- Lead strategic engagement of partners in the region including ECOWAS, WAHO, the AFDB and where necessary the AU in ensuring FP is a foundational pillar for development.
- Serve as spokesperson and representative for FP2030 in the region and highlight FP2030’s work.
- Build and manage constructive relationships with key partners including the core convening organizations as well as other key stakeholders.
- Participate in the development and implementation of the partnership’s global communications, branding, and advocacy and accountability strategy.
- Work with partners and to respond to gaps and challenges identified by countries for FP2030 progress.
- Intentionally and proactively contribute to building a more equitable and inclusive partnership that reflects and advances FP2030’s deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Resource Mobilisation:
- Development liaison for funders interested in investing in Family Planning in the region, particularly those from the donor engagement group.
- Identify opportunities for business development according to the set strategy for the region and for the technical areas situated in the region.
- Working with FP2030’s Business Development team, oversee FP2030 fundraising and partnership development in the region, i.e., stewarding donors, developing proposals, and managing reporting.
Financial Management and Administration:
- In coordination with the hub host organization’s finance and administration team:
- Monitor expenditures against the Hub’s annual budget; and
- Manage contracts with external resources and service providers.
- Maintain project management KPIs at acceptable levels.
- Provide monitoring support and tracking of relevant fiscal data towards FP2030 country commitments.
People Management:
- Line manages, mentors, and evaluates the performance and workflow of the Hub team.
- In coordination with Population Council’s human resources team, recruit, hire and manage FP2030 staff and consultants for the region.
- Ensure that staff and contractors reflect the full diversity of people the hub is committed to serve.
- Ensure that talent is developed and encouraged across the team.
- Ensure that compensation for all staff is based on principles of equity and fairness.
- Facilitate a supportive working environment in which every staff member’s talent, potential, and skills are maximized.
Representation:
- Ensure that FP2030 becomes a key actor on issues related to Family Planning in the region.
- Lead on presenting FP2030’s activities and achievements to donors, government, and other policy makers.
- Ensure that FP2030 maximises influence among donors and government departments as we work towards effective implementation of positive policy change.
Audit, Compliance and Fraud:
- Population Council is committed to being an effective steward of funds we receive from our various donors. We take compliance with their requirements and our own requirements very seriously. We also maintain a ‘zero tolerance’ policy toward fraudulent, dishonest, and corrupt practices. Where they are detected, it will be investigated and appropriate action against staff, volunteers, partners, vendors, suppliers, and any other implicated party. Therefore, the Managing Director is accountable for the implementation of and compliance with all aspects of the Population Council and FP2030 Anti-Fraud policies are implemented, including rapid reporting and cooperation with investigations.
Security Management:
- Population Council is committed to minimizing safety and security risks to staff and ensuring staff are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact for children. Therefore, the Managing Director is accountable for the implementation of and compliance with all aspects of the Safety and Security policy
- Ensure the Hub office and staff comply with security plans and procedures in line with policies, systems, and guidelines.
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
Qualifications
We understand that there are many paths to acquiring expertise and experience and strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse and/or nontraditional backgrounds who bring passion, skills, and experience in many or most of these areas:
- Master’s degree in Public Health, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, Economics or related field, or equivalent standard of education.
- Entrepreneurial individuals with exceptional staff and office management experience and at least 10 years’ professional senior experience.
- Written and spoken fluency in English and French required.
- Significant exposure to international development, global health and preferably in family planning/sexual and reproductive health in NWCA region
- Proven track record in managing large projects and experience in budget planning and oversight.
- Experience in working with multi-stakeholder partnerships including donors, bi-lateral partners, multi-lateral agencies, developing countries and civil society organizations.
- Experience in supervising staff.
- Able to work effectively within the context of significant intra-regional travel.
- Ability to lead a regional team and to develop effective working relationships with national and regional partners.
- The job holder will be expected to exercise considerable ingenuity and tact in applying guidelines to unique and different settings, as the work is highly complex and can be challenging.
- Ability to provide leadership for partnership design and strategic FP advocacy planning; and, apply this knowledge to advance commitments in the region; strong skills with interpretation of FP data and monitoring indicators for the hub’s own success.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, ability to deal effectively and efficiently with high-level stakeholders in a professional setting.
- Knowledge and field experiences in Family Planning/Reproductive Health and Women’s Health programs. Knowledge of adolescent and youth programs and especially girls’ health programs, is a plus.
- An advocate who is credible in a range of settings including at governmental level, and with donors and staff.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships and team working across the Regional Hubs and with other stakeholders.
- Sound organizational management skills to support operational plans that are monitored and evaluated regularly.
- Strong analytical and writing skills with advanced knowledge of and proficiency in the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Politically astute with a good understanding of the bigger picture, culturally sensitive, diplomatic and ability to influence.
- Enthusiastic and motivated about FP2030’s vision, mission, and values.
- Commitment to community and civil society engagement including the meaningful participation of underrepresented communities.
Salary and Benefits
- Salary range and benefits will be in accordance with the pay scale and benefits structure in the relevant Council international office.
- Our international offices provide competitive benefits packages including health insurance available immediately upon hire, generous annual and sick leave, and paid parental leave.
