Director Of Maternal, Newborn And Child Health And Family Planning Programs

The Director of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Family Planning (MNCH/FP) Programs is accountable for leading all of IntraHealth’s programs and services in these  areas, as well as programs focused on malaria. In this newly created role, the Director is responsible for the overall outcome and success of all MNCH/FP projects.  S/he supports the expansion of the organization’s portfolio of MNCH/FP programs and the evolution of the organization’s program and technical strategies and approaches, as an extension of project experience. S/he provides strategic vision, leadership and oversight of IntraHealth’s portfolio of MNCH/FP programs and ensures that projects, strategies and results are aligned with the organization’s mission, vision, core work and strategic plan, and consistent with IntraHealth policies and procedures, donor requirements and project agreements.

In this strategic role, the Director will lead a staff of senior managers and project directors/chiefs of party who are responsible for leading, managing and delivering quality results in MNCH/FP projects.

S/he works collaboratively with Directors and other senior staff and teams in headquarters and the field to foster organizational excellence, and serves as a member of senior management.  The position is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and is supervised by the Vice President of Programs.    

Specific Responsibilities Include:

Program and Technical Leadership

• Ensures that expected results in this program area are clear, measurable and consistent with the organization’s mission and aligned with the organizational strategic plan and strategic results framework.
• Ensures that project teams are focused on excellence in project design, implementation, use of data for quality assurance and management, and results, providing guidance as necessary.
• Works closely and collaboratively with Directors and teams that provide technical expertise and project support -- especially technical  leadership, monitoring, evaluation and research, contracts and grants, HR, finance and operations staff-- to ensure the smooth functioning and effective allocation of resources needed for optimum project functioning and results.
• Oversees implementation of projects in this program area and ensures compliance with organizational and donor policies, procedures and regulations, and project agreements.
• Coordinates regular program updates highlighting opportunities, best practices, challenges and recommendations.
• Contribute to organizational success by ensuring that MNCH/FP program models, strategies, approaches, results and lessons learned are well documented and disseminated.
• Organizes an annual review of projects in this program area, working closely with other Program Directors and the VP of Programs.

Program Development and Global Policy Leadership

• Leads development of the organization MNCH/FP and malaria program strategy and plans, working closely with other Directors, project leaders and other internal stakeholders.
• Expands the organization’s portfolio of MNCH/FP and malaria programs, working in close collaboration with program development, External Affairs, field leaders.
• Contributes to raising the profile of IntraHealth’s work in MNCH/FP and malaria with policy and decision-makers in the global health and donor communities.
• Represents IntraHealth’s MNCH/FP/malaria programs in a variety of fora, including international and national conferences and working groups, and with other international cooperating agencies and/or donors, in close coordination with External Affairs.
• Develops and sustains strong partnerships and professional relationships in MNCH/FP and malaria.

Management and Organizational leadership

• Overall responsibility for staff performance and supervision, which may include direction and guidance,  direct supervision, mentoring, coaching, conflict management and guidance to attract and retain effective staff.
• Responsible for the effective investment and management of resources for the department.
• Fosters clear, regular internal communication, especially regarding: program activities and plans, expectations and organizational policies, sharing of information, tools and ideas organization-wide and especially across projects and countries

Experience and requirements include an advanced degree in a relevant field, and nursing or midwifery certification is a plus;  a minimum of 12 years program leadership and management experience working with a USG funded global health organization, specialization in MNCH/FP ;  a minimum of 3 years of resident field experience working with USAID and/or CDC on global or bilateral projects with a significant level of leadership; a strong programmatic and technical knowledge of MNCH/FP and malaria; a strong track record of delivering results; experience with non-USG funded programs, fundraising, new business development and finance is highly desirable; excellent technical writing, editing, presentation and interpersonal communication skills are required; and fluency in written and spoken English is required, working knowledge of French and/or Spanish highly desirable. 

Managerial and supervisory skills and experience should include demonstrated leadership ability that encourages innovative, synergistic programming that draws on multiple complementary technical approaches to achieve results; a record of successful organizational decision-making and senior management experience  within a complex organization; demonstrated ability to recruit, build and develop, lead and manage high-performing, results-oriented teams; excellent team building, management, supervisory (coaching, mentoring) and negotiating skills.

This is a full-time position with IntraHealth International based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For immediate consideration, please forward cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to nvasagam@russellreynolds.com.  IntraHealth International, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.