Country Director – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Closing Date: July 30, 2008
Helen Keller International (HKI) is an international non-governmental organization. Its’ mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged by combating the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition. We do this by establishing programs based on evidence and research in vision, health and nutrition.
Overview:
HKI is seeking a Country Director in Tanzania to represent the Agency and be responsible for all HKI/Tanzania programs. Tanzania is a flagship program for HKI in Africa. Our current programs focus on nutrition and blindness prevention. In the area of nutrition, HKI works in partnership with the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Council and the National Development Partners Group on Nutrition to strengthen the national vitamin A supplementation program and is a key partner in other micronutrient interventions such as advocating for the use of zinc in the treatment of diarrhea. This effort is supported through A2Z: The USAID Micronutrient and Child Blindness Project. In the area of blindness prevention, HKI works with primary schools in 15 districts to prevent trachoma through school health education, and currently works in 5 districts to reduce the backlog of trichiasis cases. In collaboration with the National Eye Care Program and the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, HKI is also implementing Vision 2020 programs in the Singida region.
Scope of the Position:
The Country Director (CD) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of HKI/Tanzania programs and management of project personnel to achieve the objectives agreed to in grants and contracts. The CD is responsible for generating funding from international and bilateral agencies, corporations, and individuals to continue and expand project activities in Tanzania. He/she is responsible for implementing strategic plans to further the overall mission and specific programs of HKI that meet the evolving needs and conditions in Tanzania. The CD is responsible for overall program design and proposal development; program implementation; reporting; and grant management, fiscal planning, and human resource planning. The CD represents HKI in formal and informal meetings with Tanzanian government officials, international donor agencies, and national technical advisory groups pertinent to HKI project activities.
This position is based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The CD reports to the Deputy Regional Director for East, Central and Southern Africa and closely collaborates with the HKI Africa Regional Office and Headquarters operations and program staff.
Requirements:
§ Minimum of a Masters Degree in public health, nutrition, development, management or related field, with strong preference given to doctoral level degree
§ Five (5) years demonstrated experience in program development, implementation and evaluation, including strong background in nutrition programs
§ Demonstrated capacity to mobilize program funding including donor cultivation and grants writing
§ Demonstrated ability to manage staff and other administrative and financial activities in developing country programs
§ Experience in managing USAID projects and familiarity with USAID policies and regulations
§ Experience in data analysis and interpretation is highly desirable
§ Excellent oral and written English language skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize complex technical and programmatic issues into concise communications
§ Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representation and advocacy
To Apply:
The initial contract is for two (2) years with possibility of renewal depending on funding. Interested candidates should submit: (1) cover letter; (2) current curriculum vitae in English; (3) a short writing sample (2-3 pages) in English, to Ms. Dora Panagides (Deputy Regional Director, East Central and Southern Africa) dpanagides@hki.org, with a copy to Human Resources at hkihr@hki.org. Please note CD TANZANIA in the header. All correspondence should include physical and e-mail addresses as well as contact telephone number(s). E-mail applications are preferred.
