France: Project Director

Context

Solthis is an international medical NGO which aims at improving access to care for people in limited-resources settings. Its action is based on three modes of intervention: Health Systems Strengthening, Operational Research and Advocacy, with methodology based on multilevel & multidisciplinary approach: Care services delivery (medical and paramedical staff, midwives, therapeutic educators and psycho-social workers, etc.); laboratory (technicians, etc.); pharmacy (procurement, logistics supply chain teams, pharmacist, etc.); the health information system; and lastly the coordination bodies.

Project Summary

This position takes place in the OPP-ERA Project (http://opp-era.org). Phase 2.

OPP-ERA’s innovative solution aims to improving HIV-1 monitoring by increasing access to routine, affordable VLTs and HIV -1 Early Infant Diagnosis in LMICs. It contributes to global momentum, putting in practice UNAIDS 90-90-90 Strategy commitments and the WHO “Treat All” guidelines. Phase 1 showed that OPPs (open polyvalent platforms) are appropriate for low- and middle-income countries and are high performing. The open nature of the platform allows for new suppliers of complementary components of the platform to enter the market and increase competition. The project aims to stimulate a sustainable supply of OPP quality components and create a shift in the current market dynamics.

The project goal is to increase effective coverage of optimized HIV/AIDS-related tests (VLTs, EID) and demonstrate polyvalent use (TB, HBV) in LMICs. Within the project, we intend to significantly contribute to the scaled-up access to key HIV-related diagnostics in the four project countries (Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea), in complementarity to other technologies (integrated platforms and POC).

The project outcome is an increased use of OPPs for VLT and EID at the global level. By increasing access to quality VLTs and EID and providing tools to help other countries effectively use OPPs, we intend to contribute to the scale up and global use of OPPs, broadening the OPP market. In addition, the project will support suppliers to get quality certifications from WHO or Stringent Regulatory Authorities to ensure that OPPs are one of the available VLT and EID solutions eligible for international financing. In this way recipient countries can choose the most appropriate diagnostic solution according to needs. Therefore the market impact is expected on both the supply and the demand side.

Solthis will lead the consortium (composed of ANRS, Expertise France, Sidaction) in this Phase 2 and will be the focal point for communication and reporting to UNITAID. The OPP-ERA coordination team responsible of the overall project management for the consortium, is therefore based at Solthis HQ in Paris.

The OPP-ERA coordination team is composed of: the Project Director, a Procurement Manager, a Supply Chain Manager, a Senior Virologist, a Lab Advisor, a Data Manager and an Administrative & Financial Manager.

Position summary

The Project Director, managed by the Directeur Général, is responsible for the overall supervision of the project and the follow-up of major key deliverables. He/she is the main contact with UNITAID.

He/she is accountable for the delivery of the programme, managing programme implementation, finances as well as technical quality.

He/she will coordinate amongst the consortium partners, organising and leading the Steering Committee meetings and sharing project information and learning.

He/she will ensure contracts are in place between Solthis and all partners and that partners have agreements in place with Ministry of Health and local partners.

He/she will ensure project plans are in place and will monitor the implementation of activities in field offices. That is, deliverables are met within the timeframe as defined in contractual obligations. They will also be responsible for ensuring mechanisms are in place to monitor the quality of deliverables.

He/she is responsible for donor reporting and communication.

He/she is responsible for the recruitment of coordination team staff as well as consultants and for ensuring that recruitment is transparent, fair and in line with organizational policies. He/she will also manage a team of 6 persons.

Profile

Education

Master’s Degree (Business/Engineering School/Public Health) and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in a relevant field

Knowledge, skills & abilities

· Experience in Management is mandatory

· Knowledge of public health policies

· Experience in resource-limited settings would be an added value

· Excellent communication, diplomatic and reporting skills,

· Strong organizational skills,

· Good analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Fluent in English and French

· Management of IT tools, in particular the usual software (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook…)

Personal characteristics

· Strong interpersonal skills;

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team; well organized, and able to prioritize multiple tasks, while driving results;

· Interest for international cooperation

Conditions

Status:« cadre »

Starting date : August, 1st, 2016

Project duration: 3 years

Salary & benefits : according to professional experience and grid Solthis + health insurance (of which 85% is taken care of by Solthis), Lunch vouchers

Location of work : Post based at Paris HQ with frequent international business trips

Submission of applications: Please send your application in English (CV, cover letter, references, dates of availability) to recrutement@solthis.org, quoting reference “Project Director”, by July 8^th, 2016.

Solthis reserves the right to close any vacancy before the advertised deadline. Thank you for your understanding.