About the job

Description

Location: Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania (on-site)

Travel: 40%

The Country Manager will play a pivotal role in leading and managing the operations of Operation Smile within Tanzania. The incumbent will provide strategic direction, oversee program implementation, manage budgets, foster partnerships with local stakeholders, and ensure the organization's mission and objectives are effectively met. This role requires strong leadership, collaboration, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of children.

Reports to: Regional Director for Tanzania. Works alongside with Regional Team for Sub Saharan Africa

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the country-specific strategic plan in alignment with Operation Smile's global mission and goals.
• Provide visionary leadership to drive programmatic excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate program priorities within the country and participate in regional prioritization.
• Explore, evaluate, and present new country and project funding opportunities that leverage impact and integrate initiatives and activities, support and direct related fund-raising activities with both institutional and private donors.

Program Management

• Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Operation Smile programs in Tanzania.
• Ensure program activities are executed efficiently, on time, and within budget.
• Monitor program impact and effectiveness and make data-driven adjustments as necessary.
• Develop and support the rolling out of an implementation strategy that is appropriate to the country context and strategy.
• Manage a comprehensive activity plan, including resource needs analysis, covering the time frame.
• Maintain an overview of the national context with a view to the strategic development of the project both in the current identified sites and the potential of future program extension and expansion.
• Support program implementation as needed, including developing assessments, baselines, budgets, and field visits to verify data reporting.

Project Start-up Activities

• Conduct a thorough assessment of the health needs and challenges related to cleft care in Tanzania and Identify gaps in existing health care infrastructure, resources, and services.
• Analyze and document any existing data on cleft care and challenges, relevant policies and regulations, and assessment of any other socio-economic factors affecting access to cleft surgical services.
• Stakeholder mapping to Identify and engage with key stakeholders including government agencies, local health authorities, community leaders, and other NGOs working in cleft care and other relevant interventions such as nutrition and community initiatives.
• Conduct an analysis of training and education needs relevant to cleft surgical and non-surgical care at both the hospital and community levels and device an appropriate workforce strategy to address the existing gaps.
• Analysis, understanding and compliance with legal requirements for operating an NGO and implementing health projects Tanzania.at both the national and sub-national levels.
• Secure office space, equipment, and supplies necessary for project implementation including communication channels, IT infrastructure, and logistical support.
• Identify potential risks and challenges that may arise during project implementation and develop contingency plans and mitigation strategies.

Partnership Building

• Establish and nurture strong relationships with government agencies, local NGOs, donors, and other key stakeholders.
• Explore new partnerships that will impact Operation Smile work in Tanzania as a new country, and build strategic relationships for growth of these partnerships, including developing memorandums of understanding for joint implementation of activities.
• Collaborate to leverage resources, share best practices, and advocate for prioritization of surgical care especially for children.
• Represent Operation Smile at relevant forums, conferences, and meetings, advocating for child health issues.

Advocacy And Representation

• Represent the organization at national and international forums, conferences, and meetings to promote surgical and anesthesia care especially for children with cleft conditions.
• Advocate for policy changes that positively impact Operation Smile work in Tanzania and both regionally and globally.

Team Management

• Develop and maintain an adequate human resource plan consistent with policies, including current position descriptions for all Operation Smile in country positions, personnel orientation and professional development plans, personnel evaluation system, field personnel policy manual, and personnel grievance procedure system with Operation Smile global HR team.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead a diverse team of professionals, providing guidance, support, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Conduct performance evaluations, identify capacity-building opportunities, and promote professional development.

Reporting And Communication

• Prepare regular reports, updates, and presentations to Operation Smile HQ and regional teams as well as donors and funding partners.
• Maintain effective and positive internal contacts with Operation Smile regional and headquarters officers and staff, and external contacts with the national and local government officials, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donor agency officials, vendors, media, and the general public.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination among team members.

Volunteer Management

• Identify and recruit qualified medical professionals and volunteers.
• Work with the HQ and Regional Volunteer teams to review applications, ensure collection of proper documents, and support the credentialing process through the OSI Global Volunteer Management System (GVMS)
• Develop and implement orientation programs for new volunteers and provide training on organizational policies, procedures, and relevant medical protocols.
• Coordinate training sessions for specialized skills or areas of focus, including specific courses e.g. AHA course, WFSA courses and other professional training opportunities.
• Coordinate with HQ program operations team and partner hospitals or for volunteer placement during surgical programs in and outside of the country
• Address any concerns or issues raised by volunteers or or other medical providers in the partner hospitals.
• Serve as a liaison between volunteers, staff, and external stakeholders and facilitate effective communication channels for sharing information and updates.
• Conduct evaluations and assessments to ensure compliance with OSI global standards and regulations.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to volunteer activities during OSI surgical programs.
• Document any incidents, accidents, or medical emergencies during surgical programs appropriately and report accordingly to OSI guidelines.

Financial Oversight

• Work with the HQ and Regional Finance Team, Regional SVP, Regional Director, Technical leads, and country staff to develop strategic 5-years and annual operating plans for various interventions relevant to OSI work in Tanzania
• Manage the country budget, ensuring responsible financial stewardship and accountability.
• Ensure that budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations and expense reports are submitted based on agreed timelines and guidelines.
• Monitor the spending of designated program funds in the pre-operational phase of the program.
• Plan for and lead annual auditing for Operation Smile financial performance as a statutory requirement.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in public health, health science, business administration, project management or other relevant fields.
• At least 10 years of experience with increasing responsibility in management positions, preferably within international non-profit organizations.
• Working experience with high level government officials and partners (MOH, universities, local government authorities, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience working with international health-related programs, preferably focused on surgical and anesthesia care for children.
• An understanding of cleft programming including surgical care, nutrition, rehabilitation and other comprehensive care for patients with cleft conditions
• Ability to work diplomatically in a dynamic global and regional team-based environment that includes Operation Smile staff, board members, medical professionals, and volunteers.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills.
• Previous experience with start-up of new projects or introducing projects to new settings or geographies will be an added advantage
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and Swahili is required.