I-TECH South Africa
Job Description
Position Title
Number of Positions
Unit
Supervisor
Contract Duration
Location
: Senior Program Manager HAST
: 2
: Programmes
: Director of Programmes
: effective as soon as possible up to September 2016
: Pretoria
Organisational Background: The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) is a
United States of America federally-funded project which supports the development of HIV/AIDS care
and treatment training initiatives in 25 developing countries acutely impacted by the global AIDS
epidemic. I-TECH is an initiative of the University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public
Health & Community Medicine. Its Central Office is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and it
currently supports ten international offices, including one in Pretoria, South Africa.
I-TECH South Africa Goal: I-TECH South Africa’s goal is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and
sustainability of South African national HIV, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis
response.
Brief Summary of Position: The Senior Program Manager provides technical expertise and
leadership to ensure deliverables are met. This position helps to manage a comprehensive health
portfolio that includes interventions to implement evidence based health resources for health
strengthening; TB/HIV programming; provision of technical assistance to the National, Provincial,
and District Departments of Health (N/PDOH), National Department of Correctional Services and
South African Nursing Council (SANC); capacity building to help the Provincial and District
Departments of Health develop sustainable programs that are country-owned and country-driven;
and innovative approaches to integrate science and operational research with program
implementation.
The Senior Program Manager will provide strategic direction, technical guidance, leadership and
management on issues related to technical assistance, capacity development, research, health care
worker (HCW) training development, combination prevention, home-based testing and counselling,
and strengthening health systems for service delivery. S/he will work closely with USG agencies in
South Africa, the National/Provincial Departments of Health, DCS, SANC, and other stakeholders on
broader policy, strategic and systems issues, work-planning, and reporting. S/he may link closely
with multiple Principle Investigators (PI) from Universities and other entities, consultants and
technical advisors to implement programs, including operational research, and strengthen
demonstration of impact and publications in collaboration with I-TECH SA’s Strategic Information
team.
The Senior Program Manager will manage a multi-cultural team, interfacing closely with other
colleagues within the Strategic Information and Programmes Teams. S/he will be expected to work
independently, make programme recommendations, manage programmatic budgets, and take
initiative.
It is the responsibility of this individual to understand the organization’s “Operating Principles” and
“Management Guidelines” and to apply these principles in their work.
Responsibilities include:
Strategic Direction for Portfolio: 10%
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Represent I-TECH SA at high level meetings and workshops with both internal and external
stakeholders representing I-TECH SA in collaboration with the Director of Programmes and
Country Director.
Develop and maintain strong local partnerships, to facilitate collaborative efforts and
information-sharing.
Coordinate implementation efforts with the government and other stakeholders and
partners.
In collaboration with Country Director and Director of Programmes, maintain regular
communication with CDC SA, N/PDOH, HRSA, UW HQ and other implementing partners and
stakeholders.
Programmatic Management and Administrative Oversight of Portfolios: 45%
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Conceptualize, develop, and manage strategic plans and workplans as needed related to the
given portfolios.
Manage program budget and other program resources including subcontracts, consultants,
and University resources with Operations and Finance teams, in collaboration with Director
of Programmes.
Regular reviews of program budget and design interventions to address variances.
Lead and participate in the development and implementation of high quality and sustainable
HIV/AIDS, STI and TB programs in South Africa, with concrete transition plans negotiated
with respective partners.
Lead and supervise team on all aspects of program implementation, from design to planning,
implementation, monitoring & evaluation, status review and progress of programs.
Provide technical assistance as regards capacity building, planning, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation to key governmental and non-governmental partners.
Program Technical Oversight: 30%
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Provide oversight of research activities across portfolios in collaboration with University
faculty, consultants, and the Strategic Information team.
Ensure clinical and technical aspects are accurate and appropriate, with support of
consultants or other staff, as needed.
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Provide technical assistance from I-TECH SA, to other partners N/PDOH, USG agencies,
and/or implementing partners and drafts the scope of work for consultants and
subcontractors.
Review all protocols and Standard Operation procedures for given programmes.
Lead and support adherence to protocols and SOPS in collaboration with SI department and
faculty.
Provide program progress reports on goals and objectives per internal and external
reporting requirements.
Ensure systematic, consistent collection, compilation and dissemination of program activity
indicator data.
Develop conference abstracts and presentations on specific country project scope and
achievements, as needed.
Develop and review reports and manuscripts for publication/dissemination.
Human Resource Management (15%)
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Lead supervision of Programme Managers and the programme team, including review and
approval of annual work and performance plans.
Ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities for staff managed, between Country office, HQ,
donor agencies and consultants in relation to deliverables.
Recruit and hire program staff in country, as needed.
Ensure a consistent approach and information sharing with appropriate country office and
HQ staff on the recruitment, engaging, evaluation and discharge of consultants to meet
project needs.
Review local and international consulting agreements for their designated group to assure
that the scope of work, deliverables, and compensation terms are clearly defined.
Participate in field office-based orientation for I-TECH staff and consultants.
Provide oversight and guidance in the development of country-specific plans for new staff
orientation and capacity and professional development and managing time and attendance
(time sheet, leave time approval, etc.).
Encourage, lead and promote good communication with the team and facilitate excellent
communication with other departments in I-TECH SA and headquarters in Seattle.
Requirements:
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A Master's Degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Nursing, Business Administration, or
related field is required, AND eight years’ experience in planning and managing public health
programmes related to HIV/AIDS, STI and TB, and capacity building initiatives. Experience in
a leadership role in a complex, multi-faceted project is preferred.
At least four years of experience supervising the work of other staff and/or consultants.
In-depth knowledge of Human Resources for Health programmes, policies, regulations and
precedents applicable to development and administration of national public health
programs.
Experience working with South African National and Provincial Departments of Health.
Experience training health care workers.
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Ability to exercise good judgment and decision-making.
Excellent writing and editing skills.
Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking).
Commitment to building personal and organizational capacity.
Demonstrated ability to communicate between colleagues with a variety of cultural
backgrounds in a respectful and diplomatic manner.
Demonstrated ability to enhance effective professional partnerships.
Strong initiative, ability to develop and carry out work plans, and demonstrated skills for
solving problems independently.
Strong organizational, electronic file management and computer skills including MS
Office, Power Point, Excel and Access.
Ability to facilitate and present publically at project meetings and in public forums.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for minimum
education requirement.
Desired:
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Expertise in HIV/AIDS, STI, TB issues and priorities of South Africa.
Experience working with International NGO’s particularly under PEPFAR funding
environment (CDC/HRSA/USAID)
Capacity building and/or health worker training experience including curriculum
development and instructional design in resource-limited settings.
Fluency in one or more national South African languages.
Demonstrated background in research, epidemiology, or health economics.
Conditions of Employment: This position is 1.0 FTE, based in Pretoria, South Africa. Must be
available and willing to travel within South Africa and up to 4 trips/year to regional and or
international meetings/conferences. Up to several times per week, the job requires participation in
telephone conference calls during the early morning and late evening to
accommodate the time zones of countries where I-TECH works. Complex deliverables on short
timelines may require work in excess of 40 hours.
Application Process: Applicants are required to quote the relevant Position Title mentioned above
when submitting their applications via email to recruitment@itech-southafrica.org .Shortlisting will
start on the 3rd of December 2015, however, and position shall be open until filled. Only short-listed
candidates will be contacted. Preference will be given to South African applicants.