Chief Of Party - Guinea PMI Evolve Project

The Opportunity
Under the supervision of the US-based Project Management Director, the Chief of Party manages, and supervises the successful implementation of the PMI Evolve Project in Guinea and acts as the primary liaison between the project and the local USAID mission, the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), other government agencies completing malaria control activities, and various other malaria stakeholders in-country.  The COP is required to provide overall strategic direction, operations management, technical leadership, and financial and administrative compliance for all project activities to assure VC operations and entomological activities are completed on-time, and within budget.
The PMI Evolve Project supports the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control strategy with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria while promoting equity to sustain malaria gains. Abt has implemented integrated vector control for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality indoor residual spraying (IRS), technical assistance for insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution and durability monitoring, and new approaches for larval source management (LSM). Additionally, Abt’s PMI-funded work manages the most comprehensive malaria vector entomological surveillance programs in 21 African countries to inform malaria vector control trends, strategies, and impact. Under the PMI Evolve Project, Abt will further its delivery of integrated vector control programs by partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments to co-design and co-implement tailored malaria vector control programs. The end goal is fighting malaria while strengthening local capacity to sustain malaria gains.
Core Responsibilities
Managerial Responsibilities:
Represents Abt Associates and the Project to the PMI Advisor of the USAID Mission, the Ministry of Health, the NMCP, and other key stakeholders.
Carries full authority and accountability for project decisions, as delegated by the US-based Project Director.
Sets and pursues a results-oriented program strategy in coordination with the project team and in consultation with USAID, other partners and stakeholders.
Leads the development and production of all deliverables, including annual country work plans and annual and semi-annual entomology reports.
Ensures that all country planning activities, vector control operations, technical compliance measures, and other deliverables are achieved in a timely manner.
Ensures that staff, team members and consultants understand their roles and responsibilities and comply with contract requirements, USAID and Abt policies and procedures.
Ensures that project budget projections, expenditure, tracking and reporting are in accordance with USAID and Abt Associates requirements, procedures and practices.
Ensures that lessons learned and best practices are documented and shared.
Maintains regular communication with Abt Headquarters team, in regard to project updates, issues and general project management aspects.
Technical Responsibilities:

• Leads the development of national entomological monitoring plan in collaboration with National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), in country malaria vector control partners, research institutes, Universities and private sectors involved in malaria vector control.
• Develops and leads a capacity-strengthening plan for transferring vector control knowledge and skills to local institutions,and develops important connections for assuring an increased role of local institutions to lead in vector control planning, entomological monitoring and implementation.
• Oversees the development and timely implementation of monitoring plans for all project activities and ensures that data required for USAID performance benchmarks and results frameworks are produced.
• Ensure that field teams and local institutions follow all WHO, CDC and PMI approved guidelines, protocols and techniques for mosquito collections and tests.
• Ensures that gender initiatives increase the participation of women at all levels and in all aspects of entomological monitoring activities and leadership, and ensure their safety.
• Prepare all technical reports for activities implemented including progress and annual entomological monitoring reports.
• Publish results from regular entomological monitoring and operational research activities on peer reviewed journals; and prepare and present abstracts in international vector control and scientific conferences.

What We Value

• Bachelor’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Ten years of relevant experience, or PhD+ Eight years of relevant experience
• Master's degree (minimum), or a Doctorate Degree (desirable), in Medical Entomology, Public Health/Health Administration (or other relevant health specialization) or Environmental Health preferred.  Candidates with Medical Degrees are also desirable.
• At least 10 years of relevant international health experience, including significant experience in the area of malaria prevention and control.
• At least 5 years of project management experience in international health projects/programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of direction and supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership in management skills and ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, ranging from 5 to 25 employees.
• Experience managing a fast paced, results-oriented, deadline-driven project.
• Significant ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, ministry officials, and other development partners.
• Experience developing and communicating a project vision, aligning key stakeholders around the vision, and assuring the vision is translated into efficiently implemented program activities.
• Ability to communicate and write reports and other professional documents in English.