Program Officer

Overview

The Program Officer  will work in close collaboration with the Senior Program Manager and Senior Program Officer for Portfolio 2, Country Director and Project Directors, and Finance Manager to manage country operations for Nigeria. The Program Officer will act as the lead contact for assigned program area and will work in close collaboration with the Country Offices to provide specialized support and guidance for the duration of the program lifecycle.

In partnership with members of the Program and Country Teams, the Program Officer will develop and deliver program solutions to further enhance effectiveness of the program and the delivery of services within the established scope, budget and timelines for the supported area. This position is accountable for ensuring that strong program management methodology, practices and tools are being applied. Supports budget in the assigned region and for the country supported.  

This is a hybrid role based out of our Baltimore, MD office. 

Responsibilities

Leads & Proposals 

• Provides specialized advice and support pertinent to generation of leads for New Program Development (NPD) opportunities in Countries supported
• Serves as Program Lead for proposals of moderate-to-high complexity, integrating broader knowledge of the organization and overarching strategies where applicable
• Writes budget inputs, budget reviews, workplan matrixes and project management narrative sections used to inform and influence the development and design of moderate-to-highly complex proposals and overall development management
• Partners with Program Manager(s) and NPD liaisons to support highly complex proposal development
• Supports Country Directors and other stakeholders within Country Office(s) on leads development i.e. meetings with donors, initiating relationships between Country Director(s) and NPD liaisons, Support NPD Country plans, drafting concept notes
• Fosters country relationships and customer service with country teams to identify and support needs

Start-Up Activites

• Acts as a partner and provides specialized support to Country Office(s) in the development of high-quality workplans and project charters in alignment with program strategy and scope
• Facilitates project management training and In-Country start-up workshops
• May partner with members of the management/senior management team(s) to establish working parameters and guidelines
• Initiates start-up activities and after action reviews
• Analyzes the feasibility and potential impact of new initiatives, process improvements, solution

Implementation & Control Activities

• Independently conducts meaningful review and analyses used to inform the development of solutions and enhancements to program delivery
• Interprets and advises teams on the effective application of program management practices and methodologies, ensuring compliance with Jhpiego’s internal Project Management curricula requirements (PM@Jhpiego)
• Manages and monitors program management standards for assigned program
• Identifies programmatic issues, concerns and gaps of high concern or impact to the delivery of services; initiates investigations / problem resolution within defined parameters and escalates as needed
• Monitors and assesses service, productivity and efficiency levels within assigned program(s) and escalates any technical, project management, financial and/or compliance concerns as needed
• Solves complex problems requiring specialized advice and guidance, including consultation with multiple stakeholders i.e. workplans, budgets
• Ensures the timely and quality delivery of workplans and progress reports to appropriate stakeholders
• Participates in cross-functional / organizational initiatives as a subject matter expert helping to identify risk and provide guidance for complex situations
• Facilitates routine monthly operations meetings, drawing attention to any current problems/concerns requiring attention or resolution
• Ensures knowledge management is maintained for all projects
• Contributes to reports for the Leadership Team with highlights / updates on programming within the assigned area

Close-Out Activities

• Manages close out process according to internal processes and donor guidelines
• Conducts After Action Reviews for closed out projects
• Ensures quality final report is delivered

Supervision

• Responsible for the management of team members providing leadership, guidance, coaching, mentorship and counselling where needed
• Grows team expertise to align with organizational demand and direction while assessing team skills / capabilities and continually looking for ways to provide / enhance the value delivered
• Leads a high-performing team and provides ongoing feedback and performance reviews
• Tracks, monitors and effectively addresses performance of team members
• Manages employees in compliance with all HR policies, procedures and guidelines of conduct
• Shares knowledge, information, skills and subject matter expertise among the team and ensures the timely communication of issues while encouraging good working relationships with other functions / teams
• Recruits for hires to ensure a highly diverse, qualified workforce with the necessary capabilities needed to achieve goals

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in public health or related field, or relevant experience
• 5 years’ progressively responsible experience developing or implementing international health  or development programs 
• 2 years' supporting PEPFAR programs
• Certified in PM@Jhpiego (Jhpiego’s internal project management curricula) or Project management for Development Professionals (DPro). If these certifications have not been completed, the successful candidate must complete within 60 days of hire.
• Proven experience successfully managing public health projects of moderate-to-high complexity and scope with different donors, including one USG donor.
  • High quality reports submitted on time to donors.
  • Provide budget inputs and review budgets
  • Expenses routinely tracked and countries supported to stay within budget
  • Experience successfully leading activities across project phases
• Proven experience successfully supporting proposal development
  • Served as program lead on at least 2 proposals – including budget inputs
• Knowledge of USG rules and regulations
• Strong understanding of at least 3 technical areas Jhpiego works in
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong writing skills
• Team player
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with diverse groups
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills: developing communication products (success stories, FB posts, briefs, PowerPoint presentations)
• Office 365
• Travel: Ability to travel 30%
• Fluent in written and spoken English

Preferred Qualifications

• Contractual financial management experience
• Fluency in a second language is highly desirable and required for some regions

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

EEO is the Law