Associate Director, Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health

The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries, while strengthening the capabilities of governments and the private sector in those countries to create and sustain high-quality health systems that can succeed without our assistance. For more information, please visit: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

Despite recent advances, Zambia continues to experience high maternal and neonatal mortality rates. As of 2014, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was estimated to be 398 per 100,000 live births, and the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) was 24 deaths per 1,000 live births.[1] Zambia has one of the highest total fertility rates (6.2 children per woman) in the world. While nearly half of married women use a modern contraceptive, 21% have an unmet need for Family Planning (FP). Adolescent girls are particularly at risk due to societal factors. 32% of adolescents aged 15-17 and 60% of those aged 18-19 are sexually active in Zambia. Almost one in five adolescent girls aged 15-19 are already married (compared to only one in 100 adolescent boys); and 25% of girls aged 17 and 60% of girls aged 19 have already started child bearing.[2]

Recognizing the need for an innovative and high impact response to reduce the high maternal and child mortality rates in developing countries, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) commenced the implementation of a comprehensive Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health (SRMNH) program in Northern and Western Provinces using an integrated approach to address critical gaps, create linkages through the entire system from communities up to tertiary care, and leave a sustainable system for on-going impact. The program seeks to reduce unplanned pregnancies, reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by 40% and still births by 20% in target geographies.

CHAI Zambia is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual with strong program management experience as Associate Director, Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health (SRMNH). The Associate Director reports directly to the Country Director and manages a high-achieving team of national and sub-national level structures to deliver multiple deliverables under the SRMNH program. The Associate Director provides the day to day management on program implementation, ensures timely completion and reporting of program deliverables, and manages the review, analysis and interpretation of program impact results.

[1] CSO, MOH, TDRC, University of Zambia, and Macro International Inc., 2014.

[2] 2015 Zambia Health and Demographic Survey

• Oversee the implementation of the SRMNH program work plans including program planning, budgeting, coordination, forecasting, monitoring and reporting
• Develop and manage key relationships with government and implementing partners and other stakeholders at the national and sub national levels
• Provide the strategic leadership and technical assistance to government – MOH, partners and other national regulatory bodies in shaping the dialogue for effective implementation, ownership and sustainability of SRMNH Programs in Zambia
• Providing technical assistance to GRZ to assist with SRMNH program design and rollout influencing national research, policy formulation, strategic documents development and analysis
• Manage communication with senior management and ensuring monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements to program donors are met on time
• Provide technical guidance and oversee quality of program implementation and reporting deliverables to ensure that communications and work products shared externally meet CHAI standards
• Work with Program Managers and HR Manager in the hiring process to recruit, retain and develop high quality staff aligned with CHAI’s vision, mission and values
• Manage, coach and mentor Program Managers and their teams to ensure program teams work towards the same objectives
• Drive internal strategic planning and budgeting processes related to the SRMNH work streams and oversee project performance against work plans and budget
• Promote a culture of high performance and accountability for outcomes and ensure coordination with other teams in the CHAI country office
• Manage and coordinate activities across multiple work streams which includes country and global teams
• Represent CHAI at policy and guidelines development forums at the national level, while providing technical support to sub national teams for same processes
• Develop research protocols and obtain necessary ethical approvals as needed for specific interventions in the program
• Identify strategic areas for expansion or redirection and guide strategic planning or proposal development as needed
• Ensure effective documentation and file management within the program
• Promote effective communication with the CHAI country and global teams in order to ensure well-coordinated work streams
• Perform any other tasks assigned

• Minimum of Masters degree in Public Health, Community Health, Development, Business Management, or Public Administration
• 10+ years of experience in a demanding results driven environment, including at least 5 years of successful experience in a leadership role managing staff and directing a division or a large program in developing countries
• First hand experience in program management or implementation preferably an SRMNH program or large public health program
• High degree of understanding of SRMNH issues a strong plus
• Strong donor reporting and program documentation and communication skills
• Experience being a tenacious manager, role model and team player who demonstrates exceptionally high performance and harnesses the same from a diverse, talented and dynamic team
• Ability to manage and motivate program teams towards a collective goal and manage conflict in diverse teams
• Strong experience in leading and managing in a fast-paced and changing environment, both internally and externally
• Ability to navigate complex government processes with multiple influencers, and effective at negotiating and achieving consensus
• Ability to identify and manage program risks, proactively addressing or reporting issues before they affect program performance and donor relationships
• Ability to guide teams in studies and research protocol development and implementation