Managing Director, FP 2030 North, Central and West Africa Regional Hub

Description

TITLE: Managing Director, FP 2030 North, Central and West Africa Regional Hub

REPORTING TO: Executive Director, FP 2030

LOCATION: Abuja, Nigeria or Dakar, Senegal

JOBS SUPERVISED: FP2030 NWCA Regional Hub team

ASSIGNMENT LENGTH:  One Year, renewable yearly based on mutual consent and funding availability 

POSITION SUMMARY: The Population Council (The Council) is an international, non-profit, non-governmental institution that seeks to improve populations' reproductive health and well-being worldwide and achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. Working in partnership with government and community-based organizations in Nigeria since the 1960s, the Council established a country office in 2006 to facilitate an expansion of its research portfolio to address HIV and AIDS among key and vulnerable populations, maternal mortality and morbidity, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, as well as generate evidence for improving access to family planning and reproductive health services, and child marriage.

Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) is the only global partnership that focuses on family planning, galvanising partnerships and commitments from governments, civil society, multilateral organizations, donors, private sector, and researchers to achieve the ideal that all people have a right to have access to contraception and make decisions about if and when they want to have children. FP2030 vision is a future where women and girls everywhere have the freedom and ability to lead healthy lives, make their own informed decisions about using contraception and having children, and participate as equals in society and its development. The FP2030 Support Network includes five regional hubs: North, West and Central Africa; East and Southern Africa; Asia and the Pacific; and Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America and Europe, led by an Executive Director who reports to the Governing Board. The FP2030 NWCA Hub will be headed by a Managing Director supported by a small team and hosted by Population Council in Nigeria.

The Managing Director will be responsible for the operations of FP2030 in the NWWCA region. The Managing Director will be a renowned professional with extensive experience in health advocacy and policies, and with strong regional and global networks of health stakeholders in the NWWCA region and globally. He/she will provide strategic leadership and administrative and technical direction for the achievement of the mandate of the FP2030 in the region. The Managing Director will be responsible for the smooth, effective, and efficient operations of FP2030 in the NWCA region; and for the FP2030 staff within the hub.

Reporting to the FP2030 Executive Director, The Managing Director FP2030 is responsible and accountable for delivering on FP2030’s strategic objectives and program activities in the region. The Managing Director has a dotted-line internal reporting line to the hub hosting organisation which has fiduciary oversight for the hub and acts as Employer and provides administrative support for the successful functioning of the hub. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Managing Director will be accountable for delivering on FP2030’s strategic objectives and program activities in the NCWA region.

1. Strategic Planning and Management:

• Provide strategic direction to the NWCA FP2030 hub for the advancement of family planning policies, programs, and financing.
• Ensure regional program is in line with regional needs and context and is well placed to address the gaps in family planning and amplify program excellence. 
• Oversee and actively cultivate coordination among regional and country partners to meet FP2030 commitments and towards fulfilling 2030 Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on changing the narrative of family planning among policy makers as key in development; advocacy for sustainable financing for family planning, fostering innovative practices that accelerate progress and ensuring family planning programs include the marginalised.
• Will lead in the conceptualisation and setting up of a Global Centre of Excellence for Adolescents and Youth in Family Planning
• Manage the budget and workplan for the Regional Hub, working closely with the hub host organization, supporting partner and with FP2030's Executive Director and ensuring that both align with all policies and requirements of the hub host organization and have approval by FP2030's Executive Director.
• Keep up to date with new trends in the FP field and develop partnerships for advocacy and accountability work, helping identify gaps in regional networking or the potential to develop new approaches wherever possible.
• Oversee and ensure the smooth flow of information for the region, including meeting deadlines and ensuring the correct internal procedures are followed. 
• Keep the Hub host organization and supporting partner directors apprised of issues that may affect implementation or that need resolution.

2. External Relations/Stakeholder Management:

• Convene and organize regional meetings for commitment-making countries in the region and ensure proper follow up and deliverables are met.
• Actively contribute and lead regional engagement on the formation of the Presidential Task Force on Family Planning for selected countries 
• Lead strategic engagement of partners in the region including ECOWAS, WAHO, the AFDB and where necessary the AU in ensuring FP is a foundational pillar for development.
• Serve as spokesperson and representative for FP2030 in the region and highlight FP2030's work.
• Build and manage constructive relationships with key partners including the core convening organizations as well as other key stakeholders.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the partnership's global communications, branding, and advocacy and accountability strategy.
• Work with partners and to respond to gaps and challenges identified by countries for FP2030 progress. 
• Intentionally and proactively contribute to building a more equitable and inclusive partnership that reflects and advances FP2030's deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

3. Resource Mobilisation: 

• Development liaison for funders interested in investing in Family Planning in the region, particularly those from the donor engagement group.
• Identify opportunities for business development according to the set strategy for the region and for the technical areas situated in the region. 
• Working with FP2030's Business Development team, oversee FP2030 fundraising and partnership development in the region, i.e., stewarding donors, developing proposals, and managing reporting.

4. Financial Management and Administration: 

• In coordination with the hub host organization's finance and administration team:

o monitor expenditures against the Hub's annual budget; and

o manage contracts with external resources and service providers.

o maintain project management KPIs at acceptable levels. 

• Provide monitoring support and tracking of relevant fiscal data towards FP2030 country commitments. 

5. People Management: 

• Line manages, mentors, and evaluates the performance and workflow of the Hub team.
• In coordination with Population Council’s human resources team, recruit, hire and manage FP2030 staff and consultants for the region. 
• Ensure that staff and contractors reflect the full diversity of people the hub is committed to serve.
• Ensure that talent is developed and encouraged across the team.
• Ensure that compensation for all staff is based on principles of equity and fairness.
• Facilitate a supportive working environment in which every staff member's talent, potential, and skills are maximized.

6. Representation:

• Ensure that FP2030 becomes a key      actor on issues related to Family Planning in the region. 
• Lead on presenting FP2030’s      activities and achievements to donors, government, and other policy      makers. 
• Ensure that FP2030 maximises      influence among donors and government departments as we work towards      effective implementation of positive policy change. 

7. Audit, Compliance and Fraud:

• Population Council is   committed to being an effective steward of funds we receive from our various   donors. We take compliance with their requirements and our own requirements   very seriously. We also maintain a 'zero tolerance' policy toward fraudulent,   dishonest, and corrupt practices. Where they are detected, it will be   investigated and appropriate action against staff, volunteers, partners,   vendors, suppliers, and any other implicated party. Therefore, the Managing   Director is accountable for the implementation of and compliance with all   aspects of the Population Council and FP2030 Anti-Fraud policies are   implemented, including rapid reporting and cooperation with investigations. 

8. Security Management:

• Population Council is committed to   minimizing safety and security risks to staff and ensuring staff are given   training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while   maximizing the impact for children. Therefore, the Managing   Director is accountable for the implementation of and compliance with all   aspects of the Safety and Security policy
• Ensure   the Hub office and staff comply with security plans and procedures in line   with policies, systems, and guidelines.

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

We understand that there are many paths to acquiring expertise and experience and strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse and/or nontraditional backgrounds who bring passion, skills, and experience in many or most of these areas. 

1. Master’s degree in Public Health, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, Economics or related field, or equivalent standard of education.

2. Entrepreneurial individuals with exceptional staff and office management experience and at least 10 years’ professional senior experience.

3. Written and spoken fluency in English and French required.

4. Significant exposure to international development, global health and preferably in family planning/sexual and reproductive health in NWCA region

5. Proven track record in managing large projects and experience in budget planning and oversight. 

6. Experience in working with multi-stakeholder partnerships including donors, bi-lateral partners, multi-lateral agencies, developing countries and civil society organizations.

7. Experience in supervising staff. 

8. Able to work effectively within the context of significant intra-regional travel.

9. Ability to lead a regional team and to develop effective working relationships with national and regional partners. The job holder will be expected to exercise considerable ingenuity and tact in applying guidelines to unique and different settings, as the work is highly complex and can be challenging.

10. Ability to provide leadership for partnership design and strategic FP advocacy planning; and, apply this knowledge to advance commitments in the region; strong skills with interpretation of FP data and monitoring indicators for the hub’s own success.

11. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, ability to deal effectively and efficiently with high-level stakeholders in a professional setting.

12. Knowledge and field experiences in Family Planning/Reproductive Health and Women’s Health programs. Knowledge of adolescent and youth programs and especially girls’ health programs, is a plus.

13. An advocate who is credible in a range of settings including at governmental level, and with donors and staff.

14. Ability to build and maintain strong relationships and team working across the Regional Hubs and with other stakeholders.

15. Sound organizational management skills to support operational plans that are monitored and evaluated regularly.

16. Strong analytical and writing skills with advanced knowledge of and proficiency in the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

17. Politically astute with a good understanding of the bigger picture, culturally sensitive, diplomatic and ability to influence.

18. Enthusiastic and motivated about FP2030’s vision, mission, and values.

19. Commitment to community and civil society engagement including the meaningful participation of underrepresented communities.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary range and benefits will be in accordance with the pay scale and benefits structure in the relevant Council international office. Our international offices provide competitive benefits packages including health insurance available immediately upon hire, generous annual and sick leave, and paid parental leave. 

We strive to provide an environment of professional growth and development.

Application Deadline: Feb 17, 2025

When applying through the web portal please attach your CV and Cover Letter in Word or PDF format.

The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of country offices. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described. If you know of a qualified candidate or are interested in this position, please apply at: http://www.popcouncil.org/employment/index.asp.

The Population Council provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered. The Council especially encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to Black people and people of African descent, Indigenous people, people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, including people who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender expansive, people with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. The Population Council is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.