The role We are currently looking for Primary Health Care Programme Director based in Luang Prabang, Laos PDR. Role PurposeSave the Children International in Lao PDR (SCI) implements a well-recognized, multi-donor, comprehensive Primary Health Care Program (PHC) in 5 districts of Luang Prabang Province. The program works in close partnership with an EU funded integrated nutrition project (SCALING), which is implementing in 7 districts of Luang Prabang (LPB) province and aspects of the PHC approach and methods applied by SCALING consortium partners in additional provinces of Northern Laos (LNT, HMP, PXL). The Primary Health Care Program focuses on strengthening of the health system including community health systems and community nutrition interventions. The program prioritises sustainability by specifically focusing on capacity building of health managers and technical staff to improve management of district health activities and strengthen the quality of health services, prioritising maternal, new-born child health and nutrition activities. There is strong government partner ownership of the PHC approach. All activities in the PHC Program are delivered by government staff, at provincial, district and health centre level. The program also supports training of community health workers and mobile clinic outreach to remote villages. In 2017 SCI began a process of designing a social and behavior change communication (SBCC) plan to improve maternal and child nutrition with a focus on community ownership, cross sector collaboration and skills capacity building for community volunteers and government staff. In 2018 implementation of the SBCC approach commenced and by mid-2019 the SBCC approach is being implemented in 73 villages in 5 districts of Luang Prabang Province with the plan to scale up to an additional 50 more villages in 2020. The Primary Health Care Program Director is responsible for the overall design, coordination, and delivery of Save the Children’s comprehensive, muli funded, Primary Health Care Programme as well as complementary nutrition activities implemented in Luang Prabang Province through the SCALING partnership. S/he provides technical guidance, management oversight and is responsible for quality program implementation, in close coordination with support services and leadership in Luang Prabang and Vientiane. S/he will be responsible for ensuring that lessons derived through implementation of projects and approaches are well articulated, documented and disseminated both internally and externally and contributing towards the overall health & nutrition portfolio and strategic development within the country office.The position holder line manages a team of technical specialists and managers and is the primary budget holder for PHC awards, with flexibility to delegate responsibilities to direct reports. S/he will coordinate closely and regularly with Luang Prabang leadership and operations, the PDQ Director, SCALING Project Director, and additional health and nutrition staff in Vientiane. S/he will support smart integration, coordination, and information sharing across child protection and education activities in complementary districts. S/he will liaise with the relevant personnel from Member Offices and donors as appropriate, contribute towards the development of new programs. S/he will build the capacity of field staff to implement quality programs, coordinate with Program Director for Quality (PDQ) on Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) and advocacy activates, and lead reporting and representation activities for this portfolio.Member of the extended Senior Management Team in Laos. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly. KEY AREA OF ACCOUNTABILITY/ Main ResponsibilitiesEnsure they and their team fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and Local/Country Procedures.Conduct themselves and ensure their team conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse.That child safeguarding is integrated and given a “voice” in all management processes including recruitment, induction, performance management, team meetings, annual planning processes, field level monitoring, etc.Oversight and Leadership of Primary Health Care Program in Luang Prabang ProvinceResponsible for the overall implementation, coordination and reporting of Primary Health Care Program in Luang Prabang, in line with SCI, donor, and government regulations, and delegates responsibility for technical support and field delivery of high quality programming in line with the objectives of the country strategy. Supports and guides integration and coordination of SCALING LPB activities, within the broader Primary Health Care program;Ensures projects are implemented in ways responsive to the communities, children, health worker and government partners with Save the Children principles, values and strategic plan and also following Save the Children compliance procedures. This includes working with government and national NGO-partners;Maintain excellent relationships with relevant members, donors and government officials in the provinces of implementation and facilitates member and donor programme visits;In coordination with VTE Health, represent or support team members to represent SCI’s PHC work in local, national and global fora;Represent Save the Children externally with LPB - based government and other stakeholders, partner organizations, etc. Support broader country office representation efforts at VTE level.Oversee, support, and mentor technical and program staff and managers in province to:Effectively coordinate activity plans and budgets with partners;Provide high quality technical assistance and technical oversight to partners and to national programmes staff focus specifically on: health system strengthening, technical training, surveillance and supportive supervision and monitoring;Assist the provincial and district health personnel in the planning, implementation and monitoring of appropriate and effective primary health care interventions;Provide advice and support to the ongoing programme of village volunteer training;Mentor Health Department management staff and provide mentoring and formal feedback to partners through regular participation to PMT meetings;Ensure that programme review take place as scheduled and that relevant findings are incorporated into programming. Program Quality and DocumentationEnsure that all activities within the program portfolio are delivered at a high-level of quality to maximize impact for children and supports overall country portfolio where relevant and necessaryEnsure that there is an effective system for monitoring, data collection, analysis and evaluation and that there is a high level of staff capacity in using these tools and the data produced;In coordination with PDQ, develop and implement MEAL tools to track and report on accomplishments and challenges, and link learning to continuous program improvement;Make regular field-visits to different programme activities to check the quality, identify best practices, address issues and provide technical support to implementation teams. This includes monitoring and implementation of Child Safeguarding Risk Management Plan;Ensure evidence of impact of interventions is rigorously maintained, documented and disseminated internally and externally as appropriate, to contribute to improvements in programme quality and advocacy efforts;Coordinate with other programmes to create synergies and avoid duplications;Contributes towards broader country office health and nutrition strategy development, implementation and reporting.Work with PDQ team to ensure high quality communication products linked to project and program objectives.Team and Individual Performance Management: Direct line management and supervision of a team of four to five, indirect health & nutrition team roughly 25 employees;Manage the PHC team through effective use of Development to Perform (define expectations, measurable objectives, regular feedback, period reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations; coaching, mentoring and other development opportunities; Recognition and rewards for outstanding Performance, documentation of performance (both positive and less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvement plans);Encourage a culture of learning, creativity, innovation, and responsibility that achieves results and meets the needs of the beneficiary communities;Manage and document capacity building and succession plan;In coordination with Human Resources and HoPN, ensure appropriate staffing for PHC portfolio, including field based staff (technical and program management) and support staff;Incorporate staff development strategies and performance management systems into team building process.Primary Health Care Portfolio Management:Primary budget holder for awards under PHC program, with flexibility to delegate responsibilities to direct reports;Ensure preparation of timely and high quality progress reports, program reports, and donor reports;Participate in Portfolio and Project Review Meetings and monitor the budget vs. actual reporting process between CAP, awards, and finance; ensure forecasting and reporting are on track and accurate;Oversee and monitor partners' performance in accordance with the agreement and as required per Save the Children policies and procedures;Lead in the development of the PHC planning cycle, including three/five years phasing, and biannual monthly work plans;Ensure tight financial oversight of project and thematic budgets, maintaining timely expenditure in line with agreed priorities and donor guidelines;Build the capacity of staff in programme management, technical competency and policy.Programme Development: Provide technical input and contributions towards project design support and contribute towards the design projects and secure resources to ensure stability and/or strategic growth of portfolio;Keep aware of major happenings within the broader Save the Children network, PHC landscape in Laos and SE Asia, coordinate with relevant partners as necessary;Support and contribute to technical aspects of program design and coordinate with PDQ team and Awards Manager to develop budgets, work plans and project narratives; Ensure that interventions include an equity and gender focus and comply with safe programming principles;Effectively communicate project design and work plans to teams including field teams.Qualifications Relevant tertiary qualifications in public health or primary health careRelevant maternal and child health qualificationExperience and SkillsEssentialMinimum 7 years of work experience in developing country contexts, with at least 5 years in managing sizeable programmes (> 1m USD /y) preferably in an NGO environment,Demonstrated management and development of large diverse teams of national and international professional staffStrong English language skills (spoken, written), and report writing skills.Proven sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and be innovative, set priorities, manage multiple work plans and evaluate progressStrong mentoring and capacity building skills to support both government health staff and Save the Children national staffPrevious experience working in partnership with donors, health ministries, international NGOs/ UN agencies and local stakeholdersHighly developed relationship building, negotiation and interpersonal skillsTeam player with capacity to coordinate multiple stakeholders, work under pressure and tight deadlines and manage multiple and competing priorities.DesirableProficient in Lao language, previous work experience in Lao PDRPrior hands on experience in maternal and child health, on both clinical and Health System Strengthening aspectsTraining and facilitation skillsContract length: fixed term The OrganisationWe employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthdayAll children learn from a quality basic education and that,Violence against children is no longer tolerated We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.Application Information:Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card to Save the Children, HR Team, Rue Nerhu, Unit 25, Ban Phonexay (PO Box 7475) or email to hr.laos@savethechildren.org Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບ້ແຈ້ງໂທດ) later. Please indicate the title of position in your email subject line and also mention the location you apply to Closing date for applications is: 17th November, 2019. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Save the Children International is a child rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.
