Program Manager, Maternal and Child Health

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Program Manager, Maternal and Child Health (MCH)

ORGANIZATION: Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia

LOCATION: Gambella, Ethiopia (with regular travel within the region and occasional travel to Addis Ababa)

REPORTS TO: Head of Programs, Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia (or relevant senior management)

SUPERVISES: Project Officers, M&E Officers, Community Health Workers (indirectly) within the MCH program

JOB TYPE: Full-time, Contract (renewable based on performance and funding availability)

JOB SUMMARY:

The Program Manager, Maternal and Child Health (MCH), will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and comprehensive oversight of Amref Health Africa’s maternal and child health projects in the Gambella region. This senior role ensures the effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of MCH programs, guaranteeing program quality, achieving desired impact, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and national health strategies. The Program Manager will lead a dedicated team, foster strong partnerships, and advocate for improved MCH outcomes in the region.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Program Leadership and Management:
  • Provide overall strategic and technical leadership for all MCH projects in the Gambella region, ensuring alignment with Amref Health Africa’s strategic priorities, national health policies, and donor requirements.
  • Develop and manage comprehensive program work plans, budgets, and operational plans for all MCH initiatives.
  • Oversee the day-to-day implementation of MCH activities, ensuring they are executed on time, within budget, and to high-quality standards.
  • Ensure compliance with Amref’s internal policies, financial guidelines, and donor regulations.
  • Identify and mitigate potential risks to program implementation and sustainability.
• Team Management and Capacity Building:
  • Recruit, mentor, supervise, and performance manage a multidisciplinary team of MCH project staff.
  • Identify capacity-building needs within the team and regional health partners, and facilitate relevant training and mentorship opportunities.
  • Foster a positive and collaborative team environment, promoting professional growth and accountability.
• Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance:
  • Provide expert technical guidance and support on all aspects of MCH, including antenatal care (ANC), skilled birth attendance (SBA), postnatal care (PNC), immunization, nutrition, family planning, adolescent health, and integrated community case management (iCCM).
  • Ensure the integration of gender, equity, and social inclusion principles across all MCH interventions.
  • Develop and implement quality assurance mechanisms to ensure program activities meet established standards and best practices.
  • Stay updated on new evidence, guidelines, and innovations in MCH and integrate them into program approaches.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL):
  • In collaboration with the MEAL team, develop and implement robust MEAL frameworks for all MCH projects.
  • Ensure timely and accurate collection, analysis, and reporting of MCH program data.
  • Lead regular program reviews, progress assessments, and evaluations to track performance, identify challenges, and document lessons learned.
  • Ensure accountability to beneficiaries and donors through effective feedback mechanisms.
  • Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning among project staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Partnership, Coordination, and Advocacy:
  • Establish and maintain strong working relationships with the Gambella Regional Health Bureau (RHB), local government authorities, healthcare facilities, community leaders, and other implementing partners.
  • Represent Amref Health Africa in relevant regional technical working groups, coordination meetings, and forums related to MCH.
  • Advocate for increased investment, improved policies, and equitable access to quality MCH services in the Gambella region.
  • Identify opportunities for collaboration and resource mobilization to expand MCH initiatives.
• Financial Management and Reporting:
  • Manage program budgets effectively, ensuring efficient utilization of resources and adherence to financial regulations.
  • Prepare and submit timely and high-quality program and financial reports to Amref country office, donors, and relevant stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the development of new project proposals and concept notes for MCH funding.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Education:
  • Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH), Reproductive Health, Maternal and Child Health, or a related health field from a recognized university.
  • A first degree in Medicine (MD), Nursing, Midwifery, or a related clinical health science field is highly desirable.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of [e.g., 7-10] years of progressive experience in managing and implementing health programs, with at least [e.g., 4-5] years specifically focused on maternal and child health.
  • Demonstrated experience in program leadership, team management, and budget oversight in a development or humanitarian context.
  • Proven experience working with government health systems, especially at the regional or district level in Ethiopia.
  • Experience working with international NGOs and familiarity with donor requirements (e.g., USAID, EU, FCDO, UN agencies) is a significant advantage.
  • Strong background in MEAL, data analysis, and report writing for public health programs.
  • Experience in the Gambella region or similar remote/under-served contexts is a plus.
• Skills and Competencies:
  • Strong technical expertise in a broad range of MCH interventions and current global/national guidelines.
  • Exceptional leadership, team-building, and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent program management skills, including planning, budgeting, implementation, and reporting.
  • Proficiency in project cycle management (PCM) tools and approaches.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic are essential. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Gambella is a distinct advantage.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Ability to work effectively in a challenging and dynamic environment with diverse cultural contexts.
  • Commitment to Amref Health Africa’s mission, vision, and values.
  • Willingness to travel frequently within the Gambella region and occasionally to Addis Ababa.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their application, including a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role and a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) with three professional references. Applications should be sent to [Insert Application Submission Method – e.g., “the Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia HR Department via email at [email protected]” or “through the online application portal [link]”]. Please ensure to clearly state “Application for Program Manager, Maternal and Child Health – Gambella” in the subject line of your email.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: [Insert Date – e.g., July 15, 2025]

NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Amref Health Africa is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.