Ghana Health Service Jobs 2011: Deputy Director-General

The Ghana Health Service is an autonomous Agency of the Ministry of Health responsible for providing and prudently managing comprehensive and accessible health service at Regional, District and Sub-district levels in accordance with approved national policies. To achieve this, the GHS must attract and appoint suitably qualified personnel to carry out its mandate at various operational levels.

Job Description

The Ghana Health Service Council invites applications from suitably qualified Ghanaians for the position of Deputy Director-General in the Ghana Health Service (GHS) which becomes vacant in June 2011. The appointment is available for a term of four (4) years subject to renewal.

Job Purpose:
Work together with the Director General to provide executive leadership and leading edge strategic direction to enable the Ghana Health Service deliver innovative services and effective healthcare to the population.

Overview of Role:
This unique role calls for a transformational leader who will work together with the Director General to shape an agile and dynamic organisation, capable of delivering real strategic value to the general health service delivery frontline. You will lead and be responsible for the operational functions of the Ghana Health Service. The role will require effective partnership working with the Ministry of Health, external organisations, other agencies and donors.

The role demands exceptional change management expertise and the ambition for the GHS to become an organisation of excellence.

Job Summary:

• Lead and manage the Ghana Health Service (GHS)
• Implement health improvement strategies and plans
• Lead national modernisation of services to achieve the GHS plan targets and services that are accessible to the population
• Develop and deliver an appropriate portfolio of directly managed services which will improve the health of local communities
• Provide clear, credible and dynamic leadership for the strategic development and operational management of the corporate affairs, communication and partnership portfolio;
• Develop a long term, sustainable, strategic vision and plan for the GHS and ensure future organisational capacity to deliver it

Principal Duties:
Under the direction of the Director-General, and on behalf of the GHS Council, the Deputy Director General will:

• Work closely with the Headquarters and Regional Directors to develop a strategic direction for the GHS and lead the creation of a strong organisation with a coherent long-term health strategy for the provision of health care services and deliver wider health improvement within all regions
• Work with the Director General to ensure the effective working and development of the GHS Executive Committee and Board
• Be responsible for the operational function of the service
• Lead the developing of a Modernisation Programme reflecting the health status and the health needs of the population
• Ensure that budgeting and financial systems are sound and in accordance with GHS financial instructions. Maintain financial control within allocated resources. Ensure the development of a financial risk plan and forward financial strategy for the GHS with a focus on financial sustainability
• Ensure the monitoring of performance against service agreements with GHS agencies and other providers
• Ensure the preparation of performance management reports as required, including annual reports and annual accounts
• Ensure a strong and effective framework of corporate governance including risk, clinical governance, controls assurance, health and safety, etc
• Work in partnership with other agencies to secure the wider health of the population
• Develop closer integration of primary and community health services and ensure closer working with other agencies on both planning and delivery
• Ensure that health and health services play a strong role in the country by strong GHS leadership and contribution to the delivery of strategic programmes of work which support health improvement, community development/involvement and effective delivery/commissioning of health services
• Facilitate and support professional development, audit and peer review and the development of clinical governance
• Through these responsibilities to shape and deliver an organisation fit for purpose and to develop the Director Team as an effective leadership for delivery

Compensation:
The Ghana Health Service compensation package is competitive in the Public Sector with very attractive fringe benefits

Condition:
Applicants must be able to serve for a full term of four (4) years effective 1st January 2012 before attaining the compulsory retirement age of 60 years
 

Required Skills or Experience

Person specification:

• A distinguished and outstanding Health Professional with high level strategic, consensual and analytical skills
• Must have deep understanding and appreciation of the GHS vision, the challenges and operational issues in the Health sector
• Performance driven, keen to achieve results with 8 years in Senior Management position preferably in the Health Sector
• Education up to a PhD and or Fellow of a postgraduate medical college or an accredited professional institution will be desirable

How To Apply