COUNTRY DIRECTOR - KENYA

Job Details:

Req #:
58642 Department:
I-TECH Job Location:
Other Locations Job Location Detail:
Kenya Posting Date:
10/19/2009 Closing Info:
Closes On 10/26/2009 Salary:
Salary is commensurate with experience and education The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation?s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) is a federally-funded project which supports the development of HIV/AIDS care and treatment training initiatives serving healthcare providers in 25 developing countries acutely impacted by the global AIDS epidemic. With an annual budget of approximately $50 million, I-TECH currently supports 10 international offices and approximately 600 international and domestic staff. I-TECH is an initiative of the University of Washington schools of Medicine and Public Health & Community Medicine and it partners with the University of California, San Francisco. I-TECH is currently the largest center in the Department of Global Health, and, in fact, is one of the largest centers at the University of Washington. I-TECH is headquartered at the Cabrini Tower in close proximity to its primary Principal Investigator, Dr. King K. Holmes, Chair of the Department of Global Health. The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH)has an outstanding opportunity for aCountry Director - Kenya. The Country Director will lead the in-country team in assuring that I-TECH Kenya implements its funded scope of work, including:
1) supporting the development and implementation of national standards & architecture for HMIS; 2) creating reference implementations to test interoperability between different types of applications and to further develop HMIS applications appropriate for Kenyan health care settings; and 3) building local capacity to support HMIS applications in Kenya. This position will be responsible for regular reporting to I-TECH?s US headquarters on programmatic, policy and fiscal matters. This position will also ensure that I-TECH Kenya is in compliance with relevant rules and regulations of the Kenyan government, PEPFAR, and the University of Washington (UW). This demanding and critical leadership position requires a strong commitment to I-TECH?s mission and goals, proven high level experience in implementing complex projects, strong knowledge of Health Management Information Systems (HMIS), excellent communication skills, familiarity with capacity-building strategies, and knowledge of current issues in global health with a focus on HIV/AIDS. Responsibilities Technical and Programmatic Leadership:
* Provide leadership to establish I-TECH?s role in HMIS in Kenya * Represent I-TECH at key meetings with national government representatives, local and international non-government organizations, and funders to advance effective communication, planning, development and implementation of HMIS activities * Serve as the primary contact for I-TECH Kenya?s in-country partners, including USG officials, other PEPFAR implementing partners, the Government of Kenya, and non-governmental organizations * Furnish technical assistance to national counterparts and participate in relevant technical advisory groups with counterparts and partner institutions * Coordinate activities with funders and partners, including CDC-GAP, to develop and maintain strong local partnerships on technical issues and participate in relevant technical advisory groups with counterparts and partner institutions Program Management & Administration:
* In collaboration with I-TECH HQ leadership, guide strategic planning and provide leadership in the development, implementation and regular monitoring of the I-TECH Kenya work plan * Assume overall accountability for attainment of I-TECH program goals, objectives and deliverables; develop and manage program budgets * Oversee the establishment of robust financial systems which ensure adequate cash flow, transparency and accountability * Oversee development, application and regular updating of written policies and procedures for country office operations; verify that these are in accordance with I-TECH, UW, funder and Kenyan government regulations * Oversee all administrative, financial, logistical and security activities for the country office * Assume responsibility for in-country budget of approximately $1,000,000; * Supervise 4-10 project staff * Supervise subcontractors to ensure effective implementation of their activities Reporting, Monitoring & Evaluation:
* Communicate regularly and substantively with I-TECH headquarters on all program activities, and respond in a timely manner to reporting requests from CDC-GAP Kenya and other local partners * Submit regular reports to funders and stakeholders as required As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position,click here. Requirements * Masters degree in health or informatics related field * A minimum of five years? experience in high-level, multi-faceted program management * Experience and/or formal education in both:
a) public health/ health administration/health research and b) informatics/computer science * Demonstrated ability to bring together diverse professionals into a functioning unit and be able to facilitate communication in order to keep partners working together effectively * Strong familiarity with international public health and/or HIV/AIDS issues * Working knowledge of administrative mechanisms for government contracting and procurement so that project needs can be met in a timely way * Excellent writing and communication skills in English; ability to interact with persons from a variety of professional disciplines and from different levels of society in a tactful, diplomatic, and culturally-appropriate manner * Ability to work independently, and give close attention to detail * Demonstrated experience in the supervision of staff, including managers, technical experts and support staff * Program monitoring and evaluation experience * Fiscal monitoring experience * Computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access Conditions of Employment:
* This is a full-time position, based in Nairobi, Kenya. * Must be available and willing to travel within Kenya, with occasional international travel. Application Process:
Part of the application process for this position includes completing an on-line cover letter assessment to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. The cover letter assessment will appear on your screen for you to complete as soon as you select "Apply to this Position" on this job announcement. Once you begin the assessment, it must be completed at that time. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready.Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until the assessment is complete. The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 / 206.543.6452 (tty) ordso@u.washington.edu.