Akros is Currently Recruiting: Field Manager

Akros is a cutting-edge organization that establishes data-driven systems that improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged communities. We pride ourselves in our ground-level knowledge of the health systems where we work, and our ability to provide novel, lasting solutions implemented in developing regions.

Background

The Crown Agents Accelerating Sustainable Control and Elimination of NTDs (ASCEND) project, funded by the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), is seeking to support the Government of Zambia’s efforts to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by carrying out a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and Morbidity Mapping (MM) campaign across 69 districts in Zambia. This initiative will involve supporting the Ministry of Health (MOH) neglected tropical disease (NTD) department to effectively deliver the MDA activity, including planning, training, supervision, morbidity mapping, data collection, and reporting. Activities will occur at the provincial, district, and community levels. The MOH will avail community-based distributors and supervision teams, based on pre-existing structures.

The Field Manager will support the Operations Manager in the planning, coordination, development and ensuring quality implementation of program activities. He/she will provide necessary technical oversight and guidance to the project team to ensure the successful implementation of a national-level surveillance platform. The Field Manager will actively liaise with stakeholders from the donor organization, key actors within the government, district and sub-district stakeholders, and Akros senior management to facilitate the realization of program objectives and optimize resource flow.

Specific Responsibilities

• Train, supervise, and monitor the performance of project staff and ensure that they actively contribute to the realization of program objectives and targets
• Develop collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders to ensure that project activities are highlighted, and good relationships established
• Coordinate implementation and supervision efforts at provincial, district, and health facility levels
  Monitor MDA and MM progress through project data platforms, quickly identifying implementation issues, backstopping field staff to resolve issues, and traveling onsite when necessary
• Maintain regular communication with implementation counterparts at the district and health facility levels
• Routinely assess whether project activities are sufficient to achieve programmatic outcomes; swiftly develop and validate alternate strategies if not
• Backstop the project team including the Field Officers to ensure individual implementation efforts are in line with programmatic objectives and outcomes
• Manage team relationships and group dynamics, and implement performance management processes for all program staff
• Manage advance requests and ensure all expenditures are in line with set budgets. Accurately forecast expenditures
• Ensure all forms and records are documented and updated
• Supervise program staff by providing direction, input, and feedback
• Liaise with the Operations Manager and other Field Managers to ensure effective and efficient program delivery and provide detailed reports to project leadership
• Conduct routine field-visits with government counterparts to monitor implementation efforts; provide field-based mentoring to harmonize Akros’ supervision approach

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree (required) or Masters degree (highly preferred) in relevant field
• 3-5 years of experience with program management in developing countries
• Strong experience working with donors, districts and sub-district structures and managing a dynamic team
• Self-starter who will thrive through exemplifying ownership and initiative
• Excellent technical writing, quantitative and critical thinking skills
• Excellent skills computer skills with fluency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Candidate should be highly productive and internally motivated
• Candidate should work well against complex and challenging delivery schedules
• Candidate should be culturally adaptable and sensitive
• Demonstrable field experience in rural Zambia required
• Zambian national preferred

Location and Term

This position will be based part-time in Lusaka, Zambia and part-time in a to-be-determined Zambian province. This position is open to local candidates. It will require roughly 95% travel within Zambia. The Field Manager position is contingent upon the successful award of the ASCEND MDA and MM for the treatment of the LF program to Akros. This position will be for three to four months.

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. To apply, please submit a cover letter and CV with references to [email protected] with “Application: LF Field Manager” as the email’s subject line.