NGO JOBS

World Concern is a global relief and development agency sympathetic towards Christian values, whose supporters’ faith compels them to extend opportunity and hope to people facing the most profound human challenges of extreme poverty. We serve nearly 6 million people in 18 countries, focusing on food security, child protection, education, maternal and child health, microfinance, vocational training, clean water and sanitation and disaster response.

The Intergenerational Deaf Education Outreach (IDEO) Project is implemented by World Concern Development Organization in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) through four years (July 2011 – June 2015) in the provinces of Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Quang Binh and Ho Chi Minh City. The overall objective of the project is to assist young deaf children to integrate into mainstream society, by piloting an innovative joint family and institution-based delivery system comprising screening, family support, and preschool services. The project is funded by Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF Grant No. TF099058), a trust fund managed by the World Bank (WB). The total grant is USD 2,798,270.

Position: Program Manager (Chief of Party) Location: Hanoi, Vietnam base with travel to project sites
Reports To: Asia Area Director
Supervises: Approximately 15 program staff and various consultants
Length of Contract: 1 year with possibility of renewal;estimated start date January 1, 2013

Purpose:
The Program Manager is responsible for (i) overall monitoring and supervision of the project for donor and World Concern compliance; (ii) ensuring technical support in Deaf area; (iii) coordinating with national and international consultants in all components to ensure the project’s successful implementation and the achievement of project targets; (iv) maintaining effective cooperating relationship with donor & partners.

Responsibilities:
Management
• Provide management support to the project to ensure cost effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out planned activities;
• Monitor grant budget utilization to ensure that project expenditures are in accordance with approved budget;
• Coordinate and ensure collaboration among the consultants working in each project component, and the project partners at national and local levels for the project’s effective implementation;
• Facilitate and work with main project stakeholders to develop and maintain an effective monitoring and evaluation system;
• Review, evaluate and analyze project progress and achievement against objectives and target indicators, and make necessary adjustments to ensure corrective actions are taken.

Technical:
• Coordinate project M&E process including baseline survey, mid-term and final evaluation, on-going monitoring and review etc.;
• Ensure technical support by team members in the area of Deaf and Sign Language for the project consultants and partners in all project components;
• Work with international and national specialists in Deaf Education and incorporate suitable models and experiences in preschool education for deaf children for applying in Vietnam;
• Coordinate the development of an Essential Knowledge Base to support training, monitor the efficacy of educational approaches for young deaf children, conduct demonstration of program mechanisms and outcomes, and devise assessment tools for language development of the child;
• Ensure the involvement and ownership of both the Deaf and also MOET (Ministry of Education and Training) in this project;
• Participate in the selection process of international and national consultants, trainers (deaf and hearing) and project beneficiaries (Deaf children, Deaf adults, hearing signers etc.);
• Provide support in networking with global, regional and national deaf communities and related service providers.

Reporting
• Produce periodical project reports based on component reports as required by World Concern and donor in a timely manner;
• Ensure the project research and experience is well documented and communicated.

Representation
• Represent the project to government, partners, donors, visitors as needed;
• Disseminate lessons learned and advocate for more responsive and adapted approaches in preschool education for deaf children.

General accountability
• Comply with World Concern’s Child Protection Policy to ensure maximum protection for children;
• Comply with policies/regulations of World Concern, government and donors as needed.

Required Education, Skills & Experience:
1. Sympathetic towards Christian values; committed to World Concern’s values and mission;
2. University degree in education, social sciences or a related discipline and/or equal expertise in Deaf area;
3. Fluent written and verbal English and Vietnamese;
4. 8 years of relevant working experience that includes demonstrated proven track record of successful project management for a comparable grant;
5. Experience in working with government grants and government partners at different levels in developing countries; Vietnam and/or Asia context experience beneficial;
6. Committed to work with, serve and learn from disadvantaged people;
7. Mature, able to lead and take on high level of responsibility, able to work independently and as a team member;
8. High degree of interpersonal skills;
9. Motivated, results oriented and hard working, ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Preferred Education, Skills & Experience:
1. Substantial involvement with Deaf communities in Vietnam and other countries;
2. Substantial experience in Deaf education and networking, understanding of Deaf culture;
3. Fluent in Sign Language of the Deaf (Vietnamese and international);

Overall Responsibilities

MSH seeks a Project Director to lead a small team to provide strategic leadership and management to the implementation of the new Leadership, Management and Governance (LMG) Project in Vietnam. The Project Director is accountable for project deliverables and results, and has full accountability and authority for the development, execution, and monitoring of the project, including (1) vision and technical strategy; (2) project results and management; (3) client(s) and stakeholder(s) relationships; (4) documentation and communication; (5) strategic partnerships and cost share leverage; and (6) coordination and synergy with other MSH projects. This position is aimed at providing strategic leadership, vision, and rapid start-up with early results in the first year of the project.

Funded through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Leadership, Management and Governance (LMG) Project supports country health systems strengthening by addressing the needs in leadership, management and governance capacity of policy makers, health care providers and program managers to implement quality health services at all levels of the health system. In Vietnam, the project is the Leadership, Management and Governance - Transition Support Project (LMG-TSP). The objective of LMG-TSP is to build capacity and collaborate with the Government of Vietnam in transition-related policy, planning and coordination in support of a sustainable, country-owned HIV/AIDS response at national and provincial levels.

Ideal candidates will possess the ability to collaborate with many partners including implementing agencies and government officials. The candidate should be familiar with the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and HIV/AIDS service delivery programs in Vietnam. Good knowledge of the expectations and demands of USAID and other international donor agencies will be an added advantage. S/he is expected to have strong facilitation and writing skills and be able to work with and provide technical assistance to government institutions and partner organizations. Experience in the areas of governance, health financing, or human resources for health are also of particular interest.

The Project Director is aware of, and adheres to, MSH procurement integrity standards in all activities and assures compliance with USAID and Vietnamese regulations and requirements.

This position is based in Hanoi, Vietnam and may require extensive domestic travel.

Specific Responsibilities

 Vision and Technical Strategy

• Lead and support the project’s strategy, supervise all technical, management and operations aspects of the project, assuring the appropriate human and financial resources are maintained to achieve project goals and complete all deliverables.

• Contribute technical knowledge to the development and implementation of project deliverables.

Project Results and Management

• Meet client expectations to achieve agreement goals and client approved Results and Performance Monitoring Plan.

• Manage the implementation of technical activities at the national and provincial levels, ensuring that all activities are adequately implemented in a timely fashion and that they address needs at different levels of the system to meet the expectations of clients, partners and other local stakeholders.

• Coordinate with the LMG backstopping team at MSH home office to assure appropriate management, operations and technical support.

• Oversee and supervise provincial level staff, as requested.

• Implement effective project management systems within MSH policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures while ensuring local ownership, appropriateness and responsiveness.

• Manage and supervise technical and administrative staff as per MSH values, policies and guidelines.

Client(s) and Stakeholder(s) Relationships

• Liaise with USAID and other members of the PEPFAR team, the Vietnamese government at national and provincial levels, and implementing partners in the HIV/AIDS response in Vietnam to assure that project implementation is in line with expectations.

• Foster effective dialogue, relationships, and implementation plans with project clients, and other local and international stakeholders.

Documentation and Communication

• Ensure appropriate and timely documentation and dissemination of key results and deliverables for maximum project impact using a variety of communication strategies.

• Communicate with USAID and the PEPFAR team on technical strategy, progress and results accomplished.

• Coordinate with LMG on global strategies, and share experiences and lessons learned.

One MSH Contribution

• Ensure effective coordination with other MSH projects in country for consistent MSH representation, and support opportunities to build synergies across programs for maximum impact and efficient use of resources.

• Ensure harmonious collaboration with, and cost-effective use of, the Country Operations Management Unit in Vietnam.

Qualifications

1. A minimum of a master’s level degree in public health, public policy, business administration, or other related field or equivalent experience.

2. Ten plus (10+) years of progressively responsible, related experience in senior leadership or project management roles.

3. Familiarity with PEPFAR and HIV/AIDS service delivery programs.

4. Familiarity with US Government (including USAID) regulations and administrative procedures in the implementation of donor assisted projects.

5. Experience in at least one of the following health system areas:

Governance, Health Financing, and/or Human Resources for Health preferred.

1. Experience in Southeast Asia preferred.

2. Experience managing and supervising technical staff.

3. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior-level colleagues, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with host country and US government agencies, implementing partners, civil society organizations, donor organizations, and cooperating agencies.

4. Demonstrated strategic agility, diplomacy, conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.

5. Proven record of aligning diverse, multi-level teams with project mission and vision.

6. Strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, and supporting creative initiatives.

7. Willingness to travel within Vietnam as needed.

8. Fluency in written and spoken English is required.