Job Description
Project Overview and Role:
NPI EXPAND Overview
The New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) Expanding Health Partnerships—NPI EXPAND Project—is a global five-year (2019-2024) U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project that supports locally-driven efforts to increase the availability and utilization of high-quality health and education services. In line with USAID's Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) framework, NPI EXPAND invests in new and underutilized local partners (NUPs)[1] and strengthens their capacity to strategize, plan, and implement programs with USAID funds. Enhanced participation of capable local organizations to increase demand for and to deliver high-quality, high impact services will enable governments to meet crucial goals equitably and sustainably. NPI EXPAND will also catalyze opportunities to scale up innovative interventions by strengthening the capacity of NUPs with varying levels of capabilities and exposure to USAID.
NPI EXPAND in Kenya
In Kenya, NPI EXPAND will support locally driven solutions to increase access to and use of health services in Narok County. Specifically, the program will provide grants and tailored assistance to local organizations to implement context-specific approaches aimed at removing barriers to family planning. The activities will also promote continuity of services and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on routine health services. The primary beneficiaries of the program include adolescents and youth who are in- and out-of-school, women, men, and couples. While the NPI EXPAND program focuses on the health sector, this activity forms part of an integrated program that also advances livelihoods, food security, sustainable livestock raising, and conservation in the Mara Landscape.
Position Description
The NPI EXPAND Kenya Country Team Lead (CTL) will be responsible for overall leadership, management and technical direction of the project. The CTL will oversee all in-country activities and operations for the project, including direct supervision of the country team. They will report to the Field Support Director based in Washington, D.C., while also receiving guidance from the Project Director, HQ-based country manager, MEL Director, Capacity Development Director, and service delivery specialists. Responsibilities require strong management and coordination skills and extensive technical knowledge of capacity development, family planning, and maternal and child health in Narok County, Kenya.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Country Team Lead will be expected to:
- Provide technical guidance to all in-country activities under the NPI EXPAND project
- Provide oversight of the identified grantees supported by the project to ensure effective implementation of project activities and adherence to the conditions of their NPI EXPAND subaward
- Prepare annual work plans and ensure effective implementation in collaboration with the Field Support Director, HQ management and technical staff, the Capacity Development Director, and the Project Director
- Maintain regular communication with USAID, implementing partners, and county government officials to design, implement, and monitor workplan activities
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports for Palladium HQ office and USAID
- Review all technical deliverables and materials to ensure quality and accuracy
- Identify, support, and track cost share, submitting cost share reports and all supporting documentation on a monthly basis
- Ensure compliance and consistent implementation with USAID rules and regulations, established project and Palladium policies, procedures, and technical guidance in collaboration with HQ’s Project Delivery team
- Review and approve relevant financial requests and reports as required including but not limited to: vendor payments, field vouchers and Funds Transfer Requests (FTRs)
- Ensure timely and accurate submission of financial reports in coordination with the Finance and Operations Manager
- Provide oversight and support the adherence to strong internal financial controls
- Ensure good staff management and supervision practices including on-boarding, performance appraisal and development
- Perform regular check-ins with direct reports to promote quality performance and provide constructive feedback and coaching (if required)
- Contribute to training needs assessment of the team, developing and implementing performance improvement plans and on-the-job-training where appropriate
- Escalate any performance issues to HQ
- Other duties as assigned.
Other Requirements
The position will require regular travel to Narok County. Only Kenyan nationals will be considered. Some international travel may be required to support other NPI EXPAND activities, attend meetings, or participate in conferences or workshops.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- Extensive experience in project management required; preference for USAID-funded projects
- Bachelor’s degree in public health, international development, international relations, or related field, required with a Master’s degree or higher qualification preferred
- Strong experience supervising project staff required
- Strong experience working in the health sector (especially family planning/reproductive health and/or maternal and child health) required
- Strong experience working with the civil society sector (NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, non-profits, private sector) preferred
- Strong experience working to address gender barriers to uptake of health services preferred
- Experience integrating health services in other sectors such as agriculture, the environment, etc., preferred
- Strong interpersonal, writing, presentation, and organizational skills are required.
- Experience representing a project and/or organization with donors, and other key stakeholders preferred
- Experience in leading participatory exercises and group processes
- Fluency in speaking and writing in Kiswahili and English
- Kenyan nationality with authorization to work in Kenya
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
To apply for this job please visit (https://palladium.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/11592?c=palladium)