Position title: Country Programs Manager
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Job Location: Orange County, California
Deadline for applications: June 10, 2008
Send resume to: hr2@venturestrategies.org
Organizational Background
Venture Strategies for Health and Development, a nonprofit organization is dedicated to improving the health of low-income people in developing countries, by using business mechanisms and building on the power of local market forces. We work with governments and leaders in the medical communities of developing countries in Africa and Asia at their request, and in collaboration with the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, which provides the scientific base for our programs. Venture Strategies is a growing and dynamic organization.
We are expanding our misoprostol program, which seeks to make the life-saving drug misoprostol available in developing countries to control post-partum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal mortality.
VSHD’s current office is in Berkeley, and we will be opening a second office in central Orange County in the summer of 2008 where new Country Programs Manager will be based. Locations being considered include Santa Ana, Tustin, Orange, and Fullerton.
Job Summary
The Country Programs Managers in this program will work with officials in Ministries of Health, leading obstetricians and midwives, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and distributors to enable them to register misoprostol for PPH and develop a positive policy environment. The Country Programs Manager will also work closely with in-country partners to develop distribution networks, expand program reach, and ensure success of these large-scale programs. Each Country Programs Manager will be responsible for this project in two to four countries, and will be expected to travel to these countries.
Responsibilities
– Meet with key officials in foreign Ministries of Health – to provide technical support for incorporating misoprostol for PPH into their programs;
– Select, hire and supervise in country consultants and staff;
– Select and develop working relationship with in-country private sector or non-governmental organization distributor(s);
– Develop agreements with in-country non-governmental organizations to implement social marketing initiatives and community-based distribution programs that reach women who deliver at home;
– Supervise the preparation and submission of regulatory dossiers;
– Organize and make presentations on misoprostol for PPH at policy development seminars, workshops and conferences;
– Help to plan awareness campaigns and initial training for the use of misoprostol;
– Manage budgets for each assigned country.
Professional requirements
– Masters degree or higher or equivalent extensive experience in international public health or related field (public policy, international relations);
– Demonstrated leadership ability;
– Excellent judgment and project management skills;
– Creative problem-solving through analytical thinking skills;
– Work experience in at least one developing country;
– Collaborative and inclusive working style; good negotiation skills;
– Superior written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills;
– Experience in maternal and reproductive health;
– Familiarity with research methods and monitoring and evaluation will be an advantage;
– Ability to travel internationally to Africa, Asia, or Latin America 50% of time or higher;
Personal attributes
– Diplomatic, comfortable, and effective in developing countries;
– Impeccable standards of ethics, trust, confidentiality and integrity;
– Proven interest in women’s health in developing countries;
– Self-directed, adaptable and highly organized;
– Ability to handle multiple projects and tasks concurrently;
– Ability to think on one’s feet;
– Ability to handle stressful situations;
– Interest in contributing to organizational growth and learning.
Fluent Spanish and/or French is a plus.
Special consideration will be given to candidates who have skills and experience in social marketing, program planning, community-based programs, public/private sector health partnerships, health systems in developing countries, and public policy.
Compensation
Salary is fully competitive and commensurate with experience, plus full package of benefits.
Deadline for applications: June 10, 2008
Start date: approximately July 15, 2008
Application
Please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to hr2@venturestrategies.org
