Project Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is an independent not-for-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For over 30 years, IHI has used improvement science to advance and sustain better outcomes in health and health systems across the world. IHI brings awareness of safety and quality to millions, catalyzes learning and the systematic improvement of care, develops solutions to previously intractable challenges, and mobilizes health systems, communities, regions, and nations to reduce harm and deaths. IHI collaborates with a growing community to spark bold, inventive ways to improve the health of individuals and populations. IHI generates optimism, harvests fresh ideas, and supports anyone, anywhere who wants to profoundly change health and health care for the better. Learn more at ihi.org.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Director

Location: Abuja
Job Schedule: Full-time

Position Summary

• As an integral IHI team member, the Project Director is responsible for the successful planning and execution of a portfolio of projects.
• The Project Director leads the project team, faculty, Improvement Advisors, and Sr. Sponsor to deliver the most effective and efficient programs, projects, and services to improve health and health care outcomes worldwide.

Position Responsibilities
Leadership and Relationship Management:

• Lead effective teams to achieve desired results
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, partners, and faculty; negotiate difficult conversations to a desired end while maintaining trust and respect
• Provide thought leadership to one or more of IHI's content areas
• Actively promote the diversity of IHI's faculty and staff by identifying and developing emerging leaders from projects and programs
• Mentor and develop staff to reach their highest potential
• Optimize work and projects and programs for overall organizational success

Project Direction and Design:

• Drive project design, including conversations with customers and funders, developing proposals, etc. (in conjunction with New Business)
• Lead the development of the overall vision and strategy for a project/program
• Establish clear project goals that can be tracked and summarized over time
• Lead the timely completion and adaptation of the IHI Five Core Design Components for Results-focused projects
• Work with the Project Manager to support project timelines, budgets, and deliverables
• Design and improve program/project activities, including modifying program/project structures, creating curricula, designing trainings and agendas, and testing new approaches to meet desired goals
• Lead and facilitate high-level external meetings (virtual and in-person)
• Along with Improvement Advisors, teach and apply IHI's core methodology (e.g., improvement science) to accelerate customer/partner results; coach individual teams to maintain pace
• In collaboration with the Improvement Advisor, review and analyze individual and collective team data and reports and make recommendations in project content and coaching to achieve results

Content Development and Dissemination:

• In coordination with PDT, Portfolios, and Regions, identify and develop new opportunities for IHI content, programs, or products
• Develop and execute dissemination plans, including writing blogs, publishing articles with faculty and presenting at conferences
• Act as a spokesperson and representative for the project/program; present at meetings, external visits, and IHI conferences

Project Specific Details:

• This role will be assigned full-time to lead IHI's scope of work in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Health Workforce Management Activity in Nigeria (HWM). HWM aims to strengthen the health care workforce in Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kebbi, and Sokoto States, plus the Federal Capital Territory, with a focus on nurses, midwives, and community health practitioners. Banyan Global is the Prime recipient of the HWM award, and IHI is one of three sub-awardees.
• The Project Director will report to and serve as IHI's primary liaison to the HWM Country and Technical Directors.
• IHI is responsible for implementing HWM Intermediate Result (IR) 1: Quality of health worker training improved.

IR 1.1: Improved quality of pre-service training of health workers

• IR 1.1.1: Training curricula developed and enhanced
• IR 1.1.2: Improved instructor capacity to deliver problem-solving-based curricula
• IR 1.1.3: Full accreditation of training institutions
• IR 1.1.4: Increased teaching staff development and retention

IR 1.2: Improved quality of in-service training of health workers

• IR 1.2.1: Improved quality of short-term in-service training
• IR 1.2.2: Improved quality of continuing professional development schemes

The Project Director will oversee a project manager and one or more faculty members to implement IHI's work. The Project Director will lead collaboration with numerous local partners, including but not limited to the Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, pre-service health training institutions, and others.

Position Qualifications
Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience
• Seven to ten years' experience working in a team within a complex, professional environment
• Three to five years' experience leading teams of professionals
• Prior health care improvement (or other relevant) focused project management.
• Must live and legally able to work in Abuja, Nigeria.

Project Specific Content Area:

• Experience in health care systems delivery, quality improvement, and/or health education
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint is required

Preferred:

• Ability to and interest in travel (TBD depending on the project)
• Familiarity with US grants and other complex funding arrangements
• Training and experience with Improvement Science.

Position Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and experience with one or more of IHI's content areas
• Project management skills, including being detail-focused and managing aggressive timelines
• Ability to maneuver through complex political situations to achieve desired outcomes
• Ability and skill to drive and achieve quality results within complex, time constrained goals
• Familiarity with grants and other complex funding arrangements a plus
• Excellent communication skills (both interpersonal and written), including superior presentation skills
• Comfort working with a diverse range of colleagues, including government officials, academic instructors, community members, and local and international project staff
• Strong knowledge of adult education principles and demonstrated experience developing and leading adult-oriented training programs
• Strong knowledge of inclusion and equity principles, particularly as they apply to women, youth, and other marginalized communities
• Commitment to IHI Values
• Commitment to equity, anti-racism, and the improvement of societal systems.
• Ability to think about whole systems, rather than optimize for one part
• Create a compelling vision and build motivation with internal and external teams
• Negotiation, decision making, and delegation skills
• Ability to effectively coach and motivate customer teams and staff
• Ability to drive to effectively develop self and others
• Must be an approachable mentor, employee advocate, and team leader
• Able to actively support, communicate, and teach the unique culture and values of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement
• Excellent organizational, analytical, oral, and written communication skills in English
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and an Application Letter with details of their relevant qualifications to: [email protected] using the job title as the subject of the mail