Cooper/Smith is a technical assistance organization that focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of development programs. We work with host country governments and development organizations to assemble and analyze complex information, translating data into meaningful solutions that create lasting effect. We are a growing start-up that operates at the intersection of health and data, by bringing expertise in economics, decision analysis, results management, program evaluation, research design, health policy, and software development. Our funders include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Fund, World Bank, USAID, the Digital Impact Alliance, and Georgetown University. Founded in 2014, our solutions have supported more than 20 projects in a dozen countries throughout Africa and Asia.
Cooper/Smith is looking for a Program Manager to support Cooper/Smith’s Blantyre Prevention Strategy program in Malawi. The Program Manager will oversee the day-to-day management and implementation of the technical, financial, and administration of program activities, in partnership with Cooper/Smith’s technical team. The Program Manager will report directly to Cooper/Smith’s Technical Director. Based in Blantyre, Malawi this unique opportunity will also provide qualified candidates with the ability to be a part of an innovative global health prevention program, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with support from Georgetown University.
Duration: This is a full-time position; estimated start date: June 2020, estimated end date: May 2024.
Location: Remote During COVID-19 Restrictions; Blantyre, Malawi, possibly starting in 2021.
Who We Are
A dynamic team with extensive experience in strategic planning, results management, efficiency analysis, modelling, operational research, and digital health.
Innovators, solutions specialists, champions of collaboration, and global citizens with professional experience in over 35 countries.
Lovers of hard work, good laughs, and passionate about delivering solutions and results with broader social value.
Who You Are
A highly curious thinker who is self-motivated and results-oriented, can deliver on tight deadlines, and motivated by the opportunity to help grow a young organization.
A person who enjoys a challenge, can describe nuance and complexity, and is ultimately driven to produce creative solutions rather than focus on obstacles.
Someone who seeks to frame their work in the big picture [the 'why?'], but equally attends to the details in getting there [the 'how?'].
Someone passionate about the use of measurement and data to improve management, performance, and program effectiveness.
Someone who thrives in a flexible work environment; can manage competing demands and adapt to shifting priorities; uses good judgments working in stressful situations; and enjoys working with a diverse, global team.
Responsibilities
Project Management (60%)
Oversee the delivery of core program activities including but not limited to; the development and roll-out of a comprehensive data pipeline; community organization outreach and engagement; strategic planning; digital health capacity building efforts; data user studies, assessments, and systems mapping exercises.
Ensure effective communications between Cooper/Smith’s Management Team, prime implementer Georgetown University, and partner organizations to detail key activities, challenges, and programmatic needs.
Ensure alignment of technical deliverables and activities with key milestones, contract requirements, and payment schedules.
Work closely with Cooper/Smith’s Technical and Managing Director’s to ensure that high-quality, cutting-edge deliverables are submitted to clients in a timely manner and on budget, consistent with Cooper/Smith’s commitment to technical excellence.
Work with Cooper/Smith’s Technical Director to translate technical recommendations and guidance to program staff, ensuring adherence to key programmatic and donor objectives.
Maintain effective relations and coordination with implementing partner, program partners, and donors.
Serve as the Technical Director’s representative, attending donor meetings, country steering committee meetings, planning sessions, and stakeholder workshops when Technical Director is unable to participate or attend.
Oversee the management of field studies and data collection activities, including providing design inputs to surveys and data collection tools.
Organize regular program check-ins with partners and apply effective problem-solving skills when faced with challenges related to implementation and/or contextual factors.
Develop, coordinate, and manage the submission of all reporting documents, required by the donor and implementing partner.
Coordinate with Cooper/Smith’s technical experts to identify and engage consultants in response to technical needs and in support of key program deliverables, as needed.
Oversee the development and delivery of outputs prepared by consultants.
Provide coordination support to Cooper/Smith’s Management Team or key donor representatives traveling to Malawi, if needed.
Financial Oversight (10%)
Support Cooper/Smith’s Administrative Director in preparing invoices, reviewing project reports, preparing monthly financial reports, wire requests, travel authorizations, and expense reports.
Identify and support any required contract or grant modifications (ex. revised deliverables, timelines, cost and no cost extensions).
Collaborate with Cooper/Smith’s Management Team to revise work plans and deliverable schedules and review the financial progress against results, on a quarterly basis.
Systems & Capacity Development (30%)
Provide inputs to key programmatic and resource planning activities.
Recommend enhancements to key project management tools, systems, and solutions, to improve the delivery and decrease administrative management requirements.
Develop templates and tools that can be used to support program delivery and cost controls.
Recruit and onboard technical consultants to support project delivery needs.
Fulfill other duties as requested, and provide support to business development activities, as necessary.
Required Skills
Professional fluency in English.
5+ years of experience working with development programs in Malawi, global health sector a plus.
Experience working on programs funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Fund, USAID, and/or the World Bank.
Experience supporting health programs, specifically related to HIV/AIDS; Family Planning; and Maternal and Child Health.
Experience supporting the long-term planning or the sustainable transition of development programs, highly preferable.
Excellent understanding of budgets, financial processes, reporting requirements, and compliance regulations within donor funded grants and contracts.
Ability to identify systems improvements and provide recommendations to strengthen programmatic delivery and communications.
Ability to distil and analyze technical content, highly preferred.
Ability to work independently while being a strong, positive team player.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to interact with different stakeholders; desire to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy in the performance of duties, specifically with donor representatives and high-ranking government officials.
Excellent presentation development and delivery skills.
Excellent communication and writing skills, specifically preparing donor reports, project brief’s, and technical thought pieces.
Mastery of Microsoft Suite applications, Adobe Reader, Asana, and Google Drive.
Ability to observe and maintain confidentiality in the performance of duties.
Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, Public Health, or related field, required; Master’s Degree in a related field, preferred.
Practical Requirements
Ability to work from Blantyre, Malawi.
Willingness to travel both domestically and internationally 10-20% [approximately 4-6 trips a year, often for 1 week at a time].
What we offer
Flexible work hours and locations.
A benefits package exceeding industry standards.
The opportunity to help build a new organization from the ground up.
Salary commensurate with skills and experience.
Opportunity to contribute to a quickly growing organization.
Opportunity to work with a talented, energetic team of development professionals, passionate about sustainable results.
Application Requirements
Eligible and interested candidates can submit their CV and expression of interest to jobs@coopersmith.org. Please include the position description in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and only eligible candidates will be contacted for an initial interview.
###