[e-drug] Vacancy: National Project Manager DFID Nigeria

["Suzanne Law" <suzanne.law@hlsp.org>]

E-DRUG: Vacancy: National Project Manager DFID Nigeria
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[WB]

HEALTH COMMODITIES AND EQUIPMENT PROJECT

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGER

OBJECTIVE: 

1.	The purpose of the project is to make available essential commodities and equipment for primary health care and emergency obstetric care to government and non-government facilities that serve poor people. 

2.	The objective of the project manager will be to manage the technical inputs and coordinate this project on behalf of DFID ensuring that the Crown Agents and PATHS deliver project outputs and purpose as outlined in the project memorandum.

SCOPE:

DFID Nigeria has developed a 3-year, #30m project which is designed to assist progress towards the health MDGs in Nigeria by providing material inputs to improve access and service delivery in the DFID-supported states. The Health Commodities and Equipment Project (HCP) is intended to support the work of PATHS (Partnership for Transforming Health Systems) DFIDs longer-term systems strengthening programme which will be jointly responsible for needs assessment.

Specifically, the project will deliver:
	Essential medicines procured for use in government and primary and secondary facilities in states where DFID is supporting the development and implementation of a SEEDS
	Vaccines, syringes and cold chain equipment provided for routine immunisation services in states where DFID is supporting the strengthening of routine immunisation services
	Essential equipment for the management of priority health conditions procured for government primary health care and emergency obstetric care in SEEDS states.
	Medicines, vaccines and essential equipment provided to non-governmental facilities that operate functional primary health care facilities and a functional referral system.

DFID wishes to appoint a Project Manager who will have overall responsibility for the delivery of project outputs in collaboration with PATHS and Crown Agents, the DFID Nigerias procurement agent who will undertake the procurement of goods and services under the terms and conditions of the Core Country Agreement.  These terms of reference outline the responsibilities of the Project Manager.  The details of the project are set out in the project memorandum.

The project will be in two phases: a needs assessment phase and an implementation phase.  The project will commence with a needs assessment exercise in Enugu State in collaboration with PATHS to identify, specify and cost the specific inputs and prepare an overall procurement plan to cover all DFID states.  Procurement and delivery of inputs will be in accordance with the roll-out plan to the states agreed between HCP, DFID and PATHS at the end of the needs assessment exercise.

TASKS/ACTIVITIES:

	Provide a single point of contact for DFID, Crown Agents, the PATHS programme, donor agencies, state governments and NGO umbrella organisations regarding project activities and progress and a timely flow of information between them.
	Overall responsibility for project coordination, including financial management of non-direct project costs.
	Responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective collaborative working arrangements with the Procurement Agent (Crown Agents) and PATHS to ensure that all planning activities and procurement plans are well-coordinated.
	Overall responsibility for the inputs of any short-term international and local consultants coordinating their support to PATHS and Crown Agents and ensuring that their project related activities are complementary and well-coordinated.
	Preparation of work plans and estimates.
	Preparation of progress reports.
	Organisation and servicing of meetings of the Technical Working Group, including preparation of the agenda, action taking and regular liaison with its members.
	Working with other donor and UN agencies to better coordinate HCP plans and activities with existing programmes and projects, in particular the World Bank/ADB HSDP2 Project, the EU PRIME project, USAID, UNICEF and WHO.
	Liaison with Federal, State and LGA health authorities and other key stakeholders as required.
	Overall responsibility for organising/coordinating the needs assessment exercises and the assessment and selection process for participating facilities in the DFID states.
	Preparation of overall and individual state plans for the roll-out process to the selected states in conjunction with Crown Agents and PATHS.
	Assistance with agreed tasks relating to the roll-out process to individual states including the organisation of participatory consultation mechanisms as required.
	To monitor project progress against the logframe, obtaining the means of verification of purpose and output indicators.
	Oversee and manage the work of the civil society coalition responsible for poverty monitoring and dissemination activities of the project.
	Alert DFID, PATHS and Crown Agents to any potential problems and ensure the prompt resolution of any obstacles or difficulties that might be encountered.

DELIVERABLES:

The Project Manager is responsible for delivering the programme outputs as set out in the project document.  Success will be measured in accordance with the logframe indicators which the project manager is required to review and revise following the needs assessment phase (Phase 1).  In addition to these OVIs, it is anticipated that a successful programme would also:
	Provide regular updates on progress on the procurement and roll-out plans.
	Develop an effective partnership and collaboration with the procurement agent and PATHS.
	Develop close linkages with the World Bank HSDP2 Project and other donor supported programmes to ensure coherence.
	Disseminate findings and any lessons learned and feed them into emerging Federal and State policies regarding procurement of goods and services.
	Timely deliveries of quality goods to health facilities.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

	At least 10 years experience at senior level in health project management with experience of large scale procurement; 
	Extensive experience with health systems and public health in developing countries;
	Very strong interpersonal skills and proven negotiating skills working both in government and non-governmental sectors;
	Excellent communication and networking skills;
	Experience of working with faith-based organisations desirable.

REPORTING:

The Project Manager will report to DFID Nigerias Health Adviser and develop effective mechanisms for working with PATHS and Crown Agents who are the key partners in HCP.

TIMING:

The project was approved in August 2004 and is to last for three years in the first instance.  The first phase, consisting of a series of needs assessments in Enugu state, started in October 2004.  The National Project Manager is needed as soon as possible.


Suzanne Law 
Consultancy Services Unit 
HLSP Limited 
13 Young Street 
Edinburgh EH2 4HU 
UK 
Tel: +44 (0) 131 622 6270 
Direct Tel: + 44 (0) 131 622 6278 
Fax: +44 (0) 131 622 6271 
www.hlsp.org 
suzanne.law@hlsp.org