MSH Director of Country Operations Job Vacancy in Nairobi Kenya

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a nonprofit international health organization with over four decades of experience in strengthening health systems, and capacity of local institutions. MSH takes a comprehensive approach to improving health to achieve scalability, lasting impact, and sustainability. Our mission is to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. MSH seeks to recruit a highly motivated and result oriented individual to join a dynamic Kenya Leadership Team as a Director of Country Operations in our Country Operations Management Unit (COMU).
 Director of Country Operations
Reporting to the MSH Country Representative, the Director of Country Operations will lead and manage the Country Operations Management Unit (COMU) overseeing all operational and administrative services for the portfolio of MSH projects in Kenya.
S/he will ensure that MSH Kenya operates as a cohesive, neutral, functional unit that provides high-quality, responsive, timely and cost effective services to projects within the framework of local laws, MSH policies and standard operating procedures, and donor requirements. S/he, as a member of the MSH Kenya Leadership Team, will be expected to play an active role in assisting MSH develop a strong and strategic country presence.
The Director of Country Operations primary responsibility will be to ensure that MSH operations in Kenya are functioning efficiently and effectively, and are aligned to support the attainment of project results and client expectations within the Kenyan legal and regulatory frameworks. S/he will be the administrative supervisor of all COMU staff and oversee the following core functions: field accounting and cash management; human resource management and payroll administration; management of local contract, consultant and vendor agreements; procurement and purchasing; travel, fleet management and logistics; security; facilities and communication services, as well as MSH’s compliance with local Kenyan laws and regulations.Collaborate with MSH Country Representative and the Kenya Leadership Team to ensure that MSH activities and management operations are implemented as per the MSH mission, values, policies and standard operating procedures.Ensure local laws and regulations are adhered to, and safeguard MSH’s reputation - financial, contractual, and political integrity.Contribute to the development and execution of the MSH Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) and provide support to ICS operational plans and budget development, execution and monitoring.Develop and execute responsive and appropriate COMU management and operational systems in line with local laws and regulations.Lead and manage the COMU functions by aligning staffing, systems, work plans and budgets with country projectsProvide equitable, effective, timely, cost-effective, responsive and high1quality operations and administrative support.Ensure timely submission of requisite administrative and financial reports to MSH Representative, Project Directors and Corporate Operations Office.Coordinate the execution of internal/external financial, operations and program reviews or audits, and ensure timely follow up to reviews or audit conclusions and recommendations.Promote and facilitate the development of staff and sustainable systems, and participate in international crossfertilization and knowledge exchange among COMUs.Provide leadership to business and resource development as well as strategic communication activities that contribute to the sustainability or expansion of MSH’s programs.The ideal candidate should have a minimum of a Master’s degree in business administration, accounting or other relevant discipline or equivalent experience; and at least 10 years relevant working experience at a senior-level managing complex health or development programs in developing countries on a similar scale. Significant operations and financial management experience in Kenya is strongly preferred.
S/he should have experience managing significant USG-funded programs and comprehensive knowledge of applicable regulations and requirements. Demonstrated success and familiarity experience in Kenya and Kenyan laws and regulations is particularly relevant.
The successful candidate should have demonstrated leadership and management skills with experience in mentoring and supervising staff at all levels within the organization. In addition, s/he should have strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills demonstrated by an ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail.
Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining partnerships with other projects, local organizations, host country governments, donors, and international agencies is required.
The candidate should have excellent conceptualization, facilitation, negotiation and planning skills. The candidate must be comfortable working within teams.S/he should possess outstanding professional reputation and have strong demonstrated interpersonal, written, and oral presentation skills coupled with excellent cross-cultural communication and active listening skills.
Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, and physical or mental handicap. For further details and to apply for this position, please visit the Employment Opportunities section of our website at http://www.jobs-msh.icims.com/ by August 17, 2012.If you cannot apply online or have difficulty doing so, please email an explanation of your problem to iRecruiterproblem@msh.org
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.