Population Council Ghana Recruitment 2018

The Council is seeking a highly-experienced leader in health or social behavioral science to serve as Country Director for its office in Accra, Ghana. This position will provide strategic and substantive leadership; professional engagement and representation at the country, regional, and international levels; and skillful management of the Council’s mission and resources, primarily in Ghana, as well as in the surrounding West Africa region. The Country Director will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and monitoring of all Council activities in country, developing proposals for new funding to build our research portfolio, and managing the administration and operations of the Council’s office in Accra.

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Associate and Country Director

SALARY: Based on qualifications and experience.

ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: Two years, renewable by mutual consent and availability of funding.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The successful candidate will oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of activities under all three of the Council’s Social and Behavioral Science Research (SBSR) program areas: HIV and AIDS; Poverty, Gender, and Youth; and Reproductive Health. Primary research projects and activities currently underway in Ghana include efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity through expanded access to family planning and safe abortion services; strengthen the provision of quality and comprehensive services for people living with HIV and AIDS; and promote social accountability for health services. Our work is conducted in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ghana Health Service (GHS), as well as with a range of collaborators, including donors, NGOs, universities, the private sector, and civil society, more generally.

Candidates must be currently eligible to work in Ghana with Ghanaian nationals strongly preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop and manage the Council’s programs and office in Ghana by advancing an overall vision and strategy to address Ghana’s development needs and priorities within the context of the Council’s strategic priority framework.
2. Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in the Council’s mission, including the MOH and GHS, donors, NGOs, universities, and the private sector, to influence the use and scale up of evidence to improve policies and programs.
3. Raise funds from diverse donors, including the US government, foreign governments, multilaterals, foundations, and the private sector, for research initiatives in Ghana and the West Africa region across the SBSR programs.
4. Ensure delivery and quality of research outputs and products for all projects implemented by the Council’s Ghana office, including those conducted under large multi-country projects.
5. Oversee the development and implementation of communication and dissemination plans to reach and influence key audiences of policy-makers, program managers, researchers, the media, and other stakeholders.
6. Provide high-level representation for the Council and its programs at conferences and events at the country, regional, global levels. In collaboration with colleagues, publish Council research in peer-reviewed journals and books with the potential for high impact, in particular at the country level.
7. Direct Enterprise Risk Management efforts for the Council in Ghana, including the development and implementation of priority risk mitigations, as appropriate.
8. Oversee talent management, including recruitment, succession planning, and skills development for Council staff in Ghana.
9. Supervise the financial and administrative management of the Council office in Accra to comply with local laws, donor requirements, and Council policies and procedures. Oversee the development and monitoring of the program plan and budget for Ghana.
10. Cooperate in the sharing and management of knowledge across Council countries, programs, and projects, and in the development of joint projects with Council staff in Africa, and where appropriate and feasible, with Council colleagues in offices in LAC and Asia.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Doctoral degree in public health, social science, medicine, or a related field, with relevant training and expertise and at least ten years of postdoctoral experience in leading social and behavioral science research projects in low-resource settings.
2. Proven ability to develop and manage a substantial country research program on HIV and AIDS; Poverty, Gender and Youth; or Reproductive Health.
3. Demonstrated ability to design, implement, analyze, publish, and disseminate social and behavioral science research in developing countries. Reputation for excellence in research programs through past positions and publications record.
4. Proven ability to stimulate fundraising and secure funds for program activities.
5. Strong management skills and understanding of government systems and business practices in Ghana or a similar developing country.
6. Superior diplomatic, representational, negotiation, management, and interpersonal skills.
7. Excellent English language communication skills, written and verbal. Additional fluency in French preferred.
8. Willingness to travel within Ghana, regionally, and overseas on regular basis.