Description

Title: Technical Lead

Reports to: Jean de Dieu Ngirabega (secondment to Rwanda MOH)

Location: Rwanda

Organizational Profile:

Partners In Health (“PIH”), headquartered in Boston, MA, is an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through its service delivery, training, advocacy and research, PIH works globally to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH operates sites for clinical care, research and training in 10 countries (Haiti, Peru, Russia, Boston, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Kazakhstan, Mexico, the Dominican Republic) and has a growing network of affiliated organizations and initiatives in several other countries, including Nepal, Burundi, Mali, Liberia, Guatemala, and Togo. 

This is an exciting time for PIH. The organization is taking on immense challenges, while its newfound visibility has brought the opportunity to influence even greater changes on the global stage. As the work continues to expand, PIH seeks individuals committed to the mission and values of the organization (see PIH values) to join the team.

This position will be employed through PIH’s Rwandan partner, Inshuti Mu Buzima (IMB) and will be based in Kigali, Rwanda. IMB will provide salary and benefits.

Position Summary:

The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Synergies Initiative is a groundbreaking collaboration between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Rwanda (MOH) and Partners In Health (PIH) to create a unit within MOH for technical collaborations with other low-income countries on NCD strategic planning. It proceeds from a mandate by the United Nations General Assembly following the U.N. High Level Meeting in September 2011 that all member states create NCD strategic action plans by the end of 2013. The NCD Synergies Initiative is designed to support that objective, in the process creating the first permanent, self-supporting bilateral technical collaboration agency in any low-income country. It is also intended to support curriculum development and implementation of courses in NCD national policy and strategy development and to help mobilize funding for further implementation of those policies and strategies. During the first year, the unit will work with 2 partner countries to complete national strategic plans for NCDs, as well as establishing an electronic clearing house for global NCD policy and planning. In the second year, the unit will work with 4 additional countries.

The Technical Lead will be selected by a hiring committee to include representatives of MOH, PIH and the Rwanda Biomedical Center. S/he will be appointed by Partners In Health and seconded to the Health Ministry, where s/he will report to the Director-General of Clinical Services and will regularly brief the Minister of Health. The Technical Lead’s participation will be at 100% effort.

Responsibilities:

·         Accountable for all outputs of the NCD Synergies Initiative.

·         Primary responsibility to oversee the writing of Rwanda’s National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases, and adapting it for use by other countries

·         Oversee the completion of a Needs Assessment following completion of Rwanda’s National Strategic Plan and completion of a Surveillance, Tracking and Experiment Program (STEP) study for NCDs in Rwanda.

·         Responsible for proposing to the Minister a selection process for partner countries and planning and execution of work-trips.

·         Accountable for the development of the initiative's information sharing architecture, its market analysis and other key documents including the advocacy plan, the annual report, grant proposals, and advertising.

·         Responsible for making recommendations to the Minister on the selection of the Synergies Associates and their subsequent management. 

Qualifications:

·         Graduate degree in public health or related discipline

·         5-7 years experience in health services planning or equivalent

·         French proficiency required. Kinyarwanda a plus.

·         Experience working with governmental agencies in developing countries

·         Demonstrated experience in development of large multi-site projects.

·         Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills and the ability to articulate goals, strategies and positions.

·         Self-sufficient and self-directed, capable of building and maintaining collaborative relationships. 

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