Global Health Fellows Program II

Technical Advisor III: Organizational Development Advisor

Rwanda Biomedical Center

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP II-P1-041

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with CDC Development Solutions and Management Systems International.  GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP-II's goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by developing and increasing the capacity of health professionals with tailored development opportunities. This is accomplished through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels, and performance management and professional development activities aimed to enhance the technical and leadership skills of fellows.  

BACKGROUND:

In March 2011 the Rwandan government passed legislation creating the new Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC). This legislation brings together 14 health sector institutions which were previously individual entities. Modeled after the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the consolidation of these entities is aimed at decreasing the duplication of work, and increase output and efficiency in delivery of health services. Through this process, many health related government agencies and their board of directors were dissolved, including the central medical stores, national reference laboratory, the Health Communications Center, the AIDS Control Commission, and the International Center for AIDS Research as they now sit within the RBC. The RBC structure presents many opportunities and challenges as new organizational structures form and roles and responsibilities of staff and programs are clarified.

USAID/Rwanda is looking to provide an Organizational Development (OD) Advisor to assist in ensuring a successful integration of the RBC.

INTRODUCTION:

The Organizational Development Advisor will focus on enabling the RBC to achieve the following objectives, which aim to create an effective institution:

• A clear sense of purpose and vision
• Aligned organizational structures
• Effective and efficient work flows across all departments
• Coordinated process and work flows to avoid duplication and ensure RBC institutions work towards similar overall goals and objectives
• Strengthened internal and external communications

The Organizational Development Advisor will work in close coordination with the RBC leadership team, the Ministry of Health and the USAID/Rwanda Health Team. S/he will also collaborate with other USG supported programs, as well as other funders which are working in similar areas, for example the CDC/JHPIEGO program entitled "Achieving Sustainability through Increased Health Systems Management Capacity" and the USAID program Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD). The Director of the RBC will serve as the onsite manager for the Organizational Development Advisor, with USAID/Rwanda's Health Office Director coordinating with the Minister of Health or Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health on general oversight of the position.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Organizational Development Advisor will strive to support the RBC to:

• Develop a unified strategic vision across all departments
• Understand and incorporate best practices in organizational development and change management processes
• Implement information and communication strategies to increase efficiency and effectiveness
• Improve staff skills to increase RBC's capacity
• Enhance collaboration and communication within the RBC, the Ministry of Health and other health sector partners
• Link resources and work priorities with overall institutional goals and objectives
• Identify the resources and tools necessary for staff to do their work effectively
• Increase communication and information flow to improve interagency cooperation
• Develop clear plans for achieving desired staffing levels
• Develop or improve data collection methods for performance monitoring, and use of program data in management and decision making
• Align the RBC's performance monitoring system with organizational priorities
• Define clear roles and responsibilities between RBC branches/department

Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational programming need and/or (b) the Advisor's own interests.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in a relevant discipline such as health care development, public health, the social sciences, organizational development, change management, business administration or other field related to international development and/or public health
• Minimum 10 years' experience in developing country contexts that provided experience in organizational capacity development, especially experience working with HIV/AIDS issues and programs, capacity building, program design, strategic planning, program management and implementation, with at least three to five years' experience in an international or resource challenged setting
• Experience providing technical assistance, project management and oversight including financial management in a developing country context
• Experience working with USAID or USAID-funded health programs highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience working with developing country program managers and government authorities highly desirable
• Sound knowledge of the main technical and substantive issues related to organizational development, program/project development and public health in sub-Saharan Africa and a good understanding of African social, cultural and political contexts
• Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy, required to establish and maintain a wide range of senior-level and working-level contacts within government, non-governmental, and private-sector circles
• Ability to work effectively within team and interagency environments, and to mentor and coach others
• Strong management and analytical skills required to strategize, develop and implement effective organizational development and change management processes; and strong management and administrative skills
• Ability to interpret regulatory directives and related guidance
• Ability to organize and present information and to draft clear, concise documents
• Excellent written and oral English; functional French language communications skills
• Capability in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and related software for management, organization process mapping and change management etc
• US citizenship or US permanent residency required
• Ability to obtain and maintain medical clearance to live and work in Rwanda

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary will be based on commensurate experience and earnings history.  The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs

 http://www.ghfp.net/docs/2012_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.pdf 

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP's online recruitment system at  https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application. All online applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time, June 18, 2012.

Applicants who have applied previously have been given consideration and need not re-apply.

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