Managing Director at the Population Council

The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Managing Director

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Reporting To: FP2030 Executive Director
Assignment Length: Yearly, renewable by mutual consent

Position Summary

• The Managing Director reports to the FP2030 Executive Director who will lead the coordination and management of the Support Network.
• The Managing Director will work as part of an Executive Leadership Team to ensure that the vision and goals of the FP2030 partnership are fulfilled, and that momentum towards new commitments is maintained. 

Working Relationships

• The Managing Director is responsible for the smooth, effective and efficient operations of FP2030 in the region; and for the FP2030 staff within the hub.
• Reporting to the Executive Director, the Managing Director is accountable for delivering on FP2030’s strategic objectives and program activities in the region.
• The Managing Director has a dotted internal reporting line to the hub hosting organization which has fiduciary oversight for the hub and acts as employer and provides administrative support for the successful functioning of the hub.

Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Management:

• Provide strategic direction to the partnership in the region for the advancement of FP policies, programs and financing.
• Ensure program is in line with regional needs and gaps in FP, harnessing the uniqueness of the region to cultivate program excellence 
• Keep up to date of new trends in the FP field and develop partnerships for advocacy and accountability work, helping identify gaps in regional networking or the potential to develop new approaches wherever possible.
• Oversee and ensure the smooth flow of information for the region, including meeting deadlines and ensuring the correct internal procedures are followed.
• Ensure the integration of gender across the hub portfolio and work with commitment makers to build support for and technical capacity in gender transformative approaches to FP.
• Oversee and actively cultivate coordination among regional and country partners to meet FP2030 commitments and towards fulfilling 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
• Manage the budget and workplan for the hub, working closely with the hub host organization and with FP2030’s Executive Director, and ensuring that both align with all policies and requirements of the hub host organization and have approval by FP2030’s Executive Director.

External Relations / Stakeholder Management:

• Convene and organize regional meetings for commitment-making countries in the region and ensure proper follow up and deliverables are met.
• Oversee the tracking and reporting of commitments of regional partners and the members of the Champions Group
• Serve as spokesperson and representative for FP2030 in the region and highlight FP2030’s work.
• Manage FP2030 coordination and cultivate internal working relationships with key contacts within the regional host organization/fiduciary agency to provide appropriate programmatic, operational, and financial support.
• Handle special projects as required to advance partnership objectives.
• Intentionally and proactively contribute to building a more equitable and inclusive partnership that reflects and advances FP2030’s deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Build and manage constructive relationships with key partners including the core convening organizations as well as other key stakeholders.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the partnership’s global communications, branding, and advocacy and accountability strategy.
• Work with partners to respond to gaps and challenges identified by countries for FP2030 progress. 

Resource Mobilization:

• Continually map opportunities for FP2030 to engage with strategic investors for FP in the region.
• Develop, cultivate and liaise with funders interested in investing in FP in the region, particularly those from the donor engagement group.
• Identify opportunities for business development according to the set strategy for the region and for the technical areas situated in the region. 
• Serve as spokesperson and representative for FP2030 in the region and highlight FP2030’s work.

Financial Management and Administration:

• Working with FP2030’s Business Development team, oversee FP2030 fundraising and partnership development in the region, i.e. stewarding donors, developing proposals, and managing reporting.
• In coordination with the hub host organization’s finance and administration team:
  • monitor expenditures against the Hub’s annual budget; and
  • manage contracts with external resources and service providers.
  • Provide monitoring and evaluation support and tracking of relevant fiscal data towards FP2030 country commitments.

Staff Management:

• Leadership and day-to-day management of FP2030 operations at the Regional Hub; oversee internal systems and operations with an eye toward future needs and budget realities.
• Manage, monitor and evaluate the performance and workflow of employees.
• In coordination with the hub host organization’s administration and human resources teams, recruit, hire and manage FP2030 staff and consultants for the region. Ensure that staff and contractors reflect the full diversity of people the partnership is committed to serve.
• Facilitate a supportive working environment in which every staff member’s talent, potential, and skills are maximized.

Education & Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, Economics or related field, or equivalent standard of education. 

Proven Abilities:

• Significant exposure to international development, global health and preferably in family planning/sexual and reproductive health.
• Experience in working with multi-stakeholder partnerships including donors, bi-lateral partners, multi-lateral agencies, developing countries and civil society organizations.
• Experience in supervising staff. 
• Able to work effectively within the context of significant intra-regional travel.
• Entrepreneurial individuals with exceptional staff and office management experience and at least 10 years professional senior experience.
• Proven track record in managing large projects and experience in budget planning and oversight. 

Skills:

• Ability to lead a regional team and to develop effective working relationships with national and regional partners. The job holder will be expected to exercise considerable ingenuity and tact in applying guidelines to unique and different settings, as the work is highly complex and can be challenging.
• An advocate who is credible in a range of settings including at governmental level, and with donors and staff.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships and team working across the Regional Hubs and with other stakeholders.
• Sound organizational management skills to support operational plans that are monitored and evaluated regularly.
• Strong analytical and writing skills with advanced knowledge of and proficiency in the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Written and spoken fluency in English and French required.
• Ability to provide leadership for partnership design and strategic FP advocacy planning; and apply this knowledge to advance commitments in the region; strong skills with interpretation of FP data and monitoring indicators for the hub’s own success.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, ability to deal effectively and efficiently with high-level stakeholders in a professional setting.
• Knowledge and field experiences in Family Planning/Reproductive Health and Women’s Health programs. Knowledge of adolescent and youth programs and especially girls’ health programs, is a plus.

Personal Competence:

• Politically astute with a good understanding of the bigger picture, culturally sensitive, diplomatic and ability to influence.
• Commitment to community and civil society engagement including the meaningful participation of marginalized communities.
• Enthusiastic and motivated about FP2030’s vision, mission and values.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply