University Research Co., LLC (URC)

URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.

Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.

URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (http://www.urc-chs.com/).

Project Overview

This anticipated five-year USAID funded Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH&N) Continuum of Care (CoC) Activity will continue to assist the Government of Zambia and their Ministry of Health with improving the health of mothers and children by improving the capacity to deliver quality services, strengthening health systems at national and subnational levels, and improving the capacity to engage with communities for health. The Activity will focus on providing quality health services as close to the community as possible in four provinces of Zambia (Luapula, Muchinga, Southern, and Eastern) through implementation of high impact interventions that save lives.

Specific responsibilities:

URC is currently seeking a qualified Chief of Party (COP) to provide management oversight through provision of vision, direction, and technical implementation for the anticipated Activity. The COP will be the primary liaison with USAID and the Government of Zambia, and technical partners in Zambia.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

§  Provide strategic leadership and vision in the development and implementation of strategies and approaches aimed to support the Ministry of Health’s capacity to deliver quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition at all levels of the health system.

§  Provide administrative, programmatic, and managerial oversight to all aspects of the Activity to ensure that all interventions are technically sound and appropriate and executed to meet USAID performance standards.

§  Ensure mechanisms are in place to monitor the implementation of activities, including progress toward achieving stated objectives and benchmarks with high-quality and on-time performance.

§  Ensure technical capacity of staff and provide technical assistance and backstopping when required.

§  Recruit and supervise staff and short-term technical assistance to meet evolving project demands; provide mentoring and skills building to local staff and key local counterparts.

§  Establish and maintain highly collaborative working relationships with USAID, government counterparts, and all other stakeholders, including other donors and cooperating partners.

§  Oversee technical assistance to design and conduct pilots and studies to improve models of service delivery as needed.

§  Ensure documentation and dissemination of findings, impact, innovations, and lessons learned.

§  Ensure timely, high-quality, and complete submission of work plans, quarterly and annual reports, M&E reports, financial reports, and any other reports required by USAID.

§  Ensure that all activities are undertaken in full compliance with URC standard operating procedures, USAID policies and regulations, and national policies and laws.

§  Promote sustainability of project activities with effective networking, linkages to other programs, capacity building of project staff, and institutional strengthening of staff.

Required Qualifications:

§  A minimum of a master’s degree in public health, social sciences, or a related field required. A MD/PHD strongly preferred.

§  At least 10 years of professional experience managing operational, project management, and administrative duties for USG-funded projects or other donor-funded projects with similar depth and complexity.

§  At least 5 years of technical expertise in one of the Activity’s core areas of reproductive health, maternal and child health, adolescent health, and/or nutrition.

§  At least 5 years of supervisory experience with diverse teams of long- and short-term experts.

§  Demonstrated experience working in partnership with host governments, international donors, the business community, academia, and implementing partners.

§  Experience working in Zambia and/or in contexts with similar needs in sub-Saharan Africa preferred.

§  Strong oral and written communication skills, including evidence of quality report writing and presentations.

§  Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines with quality products.

§  Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

§  Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and mentor/coach direct reports.

§  Proficiency with MS Office Suite, with excellent MS Word and Excel skills.

Please note: this position is contingent upon securing award.

To apply please visit www.urc-chs.com.