Manager, Health System Strengthening Programme

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191-member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.

The IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The core function of the Country Cluster Delegation (CCD) for Central African Republic and Chad is to strengthen the capacities and support the cluster National Societies in disaster and crisis prevention, response, and recovery, as well as other key thematic/programmatic areas defined by key pan-African initiatives. The CCD also strengthens collaboration among Movement partners by facilitating context analysis and coordination toward common and harmonized approaches, alignment of plans, effective use of resources, and national development to carry out their humanitarian mandates.

The KfW Health Systems Strengthening (RSS) programme – is a mature multi-year German Government funded investment supporting the Central African Republic Red Cross (CRCA) in community-based primary health care, health facility rehabilitation, and National Society institutional capacity strengthening across targeted health zones in CAR. The cluster would like to recruit a dedicated Health System Reconstruction
Project Manager for the duration of the program.
Under the supervision of the Coordinator, Health and Care, the Programme Manager will be responsible for the overall planning, coordination, implementation,
monitoring and performance management of the programme. The incumbent will ensure the effective integration of infrastructure rehabilitation, health
workforce strengthening, service delivery improvement, family planning interventions, and community engagement activities among others; all while promoting Ministry ownership, localisation, sustainability, compliance, and the achievement of programme results.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Coordinator, Health and Care, the Programme Manager is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and performance management of the German Cooperation -funded Health System
Reconstruction Programme (RSS III) in the Central African Republic. The incumbent ensures the effective integration of infrastructure rehabilitation, health workforce strengthening, service delivery improvement, family planning interventions,
and community engagement activities, while promoting Ministry ownership, localisation, sustainability, compliance, and the achievement of programme results.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Act as overall Programme Manager for the German Cooperation-funded Health System Reconstruction Programme in CAR, responsible for the integration and performance of all three programme results: Result 1, health facilities renovated, equipped, stocked with medicines, and communities informed about their services; Result 2, the presence of qualified health personnel in health facilities strengthened; and Result 3, access to and knowledge of modern contraception methods among the population in the project area improved.
Lead the coordination and integration of all health system strengthening interventions under RSS II, ensuring coherence between infrastructure investments, human resource deployment, service delivery improvement, quality assurance, community engagement and family planning interventions.
Support the operationalisation of the coordination committee and technical committee under the leadership of the Coordinator, Health and Care, ensuring technical alignment, implementation and operationalisation of the KfW Project outcomes with CAR Ministry of Health policies, protocols and guidelines as well as donor requirements as applicable in the health, political and economic context of CAR.
With guidance from the Coordinator, Health and Care, ensure the conduct of programme planning, adaptive management, and cross-sectoral integration across the three results described above.
In the absence of the Coordinator, Health and Care, represent the RSS III programme in external relationships with the donor, relevant government line ministries, technical agencies and organisations, and at key events relating to
the programme.
Act as the principal operational interface with the Ministry of Health for RSS III, supporting Ministry ownership and leadership of project interventions through strengthened planning, coordination, monitoring and decision-making mechanisms.
Support the Ministry of Health in exercising stewardship over infrastructure, workforce and service delivery investments, and in implementing relevant national health policy.
Facilitate alignment between RSS II activities and Ministry of Health systems, structures and personnel at national and decentralised levels.

Oversee implementation of the scholarship and deployment mechanisms supporting Result 2 of RSS III.
Coordinate with the Institut Universitaire de Formation des Personnels de Santé and other training institutions on health worker training and certification.
Monitor recruitment and deployment of health personnel to supported facilities.
Support retention and workforce planning strategies, in coordination with the Ministry of Health.
Ensure compliance with staffing targets across supported facilities, escalating shortfalls and risks as needed.
Ensure effective implementation of community mobilisation, social and behaviour change interventions, and family planning demand creation activities through CRCA volunteer networks and Ministry of Health community structures.
Support the integration of community engagement activities with infrastructure and service delivery components of Result 1 and Result 3.

Monitor health service delivery performance indicators, including facility utilisation, skilled birth attendance and family planning uptake, and support corrective actions to improve utilisation, quality of care and access to essential services.
Support implementation of quality improvement systems at supported health facilities.
Coordinate clinical mentoring and supportive supervision activities, working with relevant technical teams.
Promote adherence to national clinical standards and protocols across supported facilities.

Provide overall programme oversight of infrastructure-related activities under Result 1, while collaborating on technical supervision and quality control of construction works with Construction Manager/Engineer.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Ensure that infrastructure delivery is integrated with workforce deployment, equipping, and service delivery timelines, without assuming responsibility for engineering supervision, approval of technical construction specifications, contractor management, or certification of construction milestones, all of which remain the
responsibility of the Construction Manager/Engineer.

Coordinate planning and monitoring of procurement and distribution of medical equipment, medicines, solar systems, vehicles and communications equipment under Result 1.
Ensure timely delivery of medicines, equipment and supplies to supported facilities.
Monitor supply chain risks and bottlenecks, escalating issues as required.
Coordinate with IFRC logistics and procurement teams to ensure alignment with programme timelines and donor requirements.

Convene and facilitate multi-stakeholder coordination platforms, including monthly and annual review meetings.

Ensure Project Cycle Meetings, including implementation review, learning sessions and close-out meetings, are planned and conducted in a timely manner with full participation of all relevant stakeholders.
Provide technical guidance for timely and high-quality implementation of the programme.
Ensure programme implementation in compliance with agreements signed with partners and IFRC internal policies and procedures.
With support from the line manager and PMER technical teams, lead management of the RSS III results framework, including indicator tracking, baseline and endline studies, regular internal and external reviews, audit follow-up and the programme learning agenda, to inform decision-making.
Ensure integration and mainstreaming of Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) and Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) in programme activities with the support of technical teams.
Undertake regular field visits to project sites to monitor implementation quality, ensure adherence to standards, and provide on-site mentoring and coaching to programme staff.
Ensure production of clear and quality reports, both narrative and financial, that demonstrate excellent accountability to the Ministry of Health, German Cooperation, and IFRC.

Ensure effective financial oversight of the programme budget through regular budget monitoring, forecasting, burnrate management, variance analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
Work with the Coordinator, Health and Care, and finance teams to flag financial risks and support timely resolution.

Lead development of sustainability and transition strategies for infrastructure, workforce and service delivery investments beyond the programme lifecycle, including exit planning, capacity transfer and maintenance systems.
Support institutional strengthening of CRCA and other national partners in areas such as governance, financial management, and risk mitigation.

In collaboration with the Compliance and Quality Assurance Coordinator and the risk management team, support the identification and mitigation of programmatic, fiduciary, and operational risks.
Ensure compliance with IFRC, donor, and national policies, including safeguarding and financial accountability.
IFRC maintains a code of standards of conduct that must govern the performance of its employees engaged in the awarding and administration of contracts.
No employee, officer, or agent shall participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract funded by donor funds if a real or apparent conflict of interest is involved.
IFRC officers, employees, shall not solicit or accept gratuities, favours, or anything else of monetary value from contractors or parties to secondary agreements.
These standards provide for disciplinary measures to be applied in the event of a violation by IFRC officials, employees, or agents.

Education

Relevant first-level university degree in Public Health, Programme Management,
International Development, Health Economics, Social Sciences, Business Administration

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Public Health, International
Development, Health Economics, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or a related
field.

Certifications in Project Management, Humanitarian Leadership, or Health Systems
Strengthening are an asset.

IMPACT or equivalent training/knowledge.

Experience

Minimum 8 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programme
management, preferably in health systems strengthening, fragile, conflict-affected, or
low-resource settings.

Experience managing programmes with budgets above EUR 10 million.

Experience with German Cooperation, GIZ, EU, World Bank or other major bilateral or
multilateral development cooperation programmes.

Extended experience working with Ministries of Health and other government institutions, donors, and civil society.

Proven experience in health systems strengthening, including infrastructure, health
workforce development, service delivery and quality of care.

Experience in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Demonstrated success in programme leadership, including managing relationships with
government ministries, donors, civil society, and private sector actors.

Experience in mentoring local teams, institutional capacity building/platforms for dialogue and peer-to-peer learning particularly with national stakeholders (governments, NGOs / National Societies / community-based organisations).

Strong background in adaptive management, results-based planning, and monitoring,
evaluation, and learning frameworks.

Proven work experience in the local/regional context.

Experience working with or within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Experience with managing funds from German cooperation or similar large-scale
development programmes.Experience with managing funds from German cooperation or similar large-scale development programmes.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Solid understanding of the political, institutional and health context of the Central African Republic.

Strong technical knowledge of health systems strengthening, including health workforce development, primary health care, health facility operations and quality of care systems.

Knowledge of maternal and child health and family planning programming, including
community-based demand creation.

Strong leadership, negotiation, and diplomacy skills, including the ability to support
Ministry of Health stewardship and ownership.

Expertise in building and managing relationships with government entities, donors, and
community groups, ensuring inclusive and participatory governance.

Strong operational programme management and partner coordination skills, with the
ability to integrate infrastructure, workforce, service delivery and community engagement
components.

Working knowledge of procurement and supply chain management, including medicines,
medical equipment and related logistics, sufficient to coordinate with IFRC logistics and
procurement teams.

Proficiency in project cycle management, results-based management, risk mitigation, and
compliance with donor regulations (e.g., German Cooperation KfW, GIZ, EU, World Bank,
Mastercard Foundation, USAID, CERF).

Understanding of sustainability and transition planning, including capacity transfer and
institutional handover.

Ability to lead multi-cultural teams, coach, mentor and train staff, and foster locally led
development.

Good organisational, planning, and monitoring skills, rigorous approach to work,
impartiality in control and verification tasks and ability to meet deadlines.

Resilience and adaptability in high-pressure, insecure, or rapidly changing environments.

Sound knowledge of financial management and project design, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, including the ability to oversee a multi-million-dollar, multi-year programme million.

High emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and commitment to equity, inclusion, and safeguarding.

Discretion, confidentiality, patience, loyalty, independence.

Cultural sensitivity and ability to work and communicate effectively in a multi-cultural and cross-functional environment and virtual or/and dispersed teams.

Focused on quality and standards, results, and accountabilities.

Ability to support representational and strategic requirements.

Demonstrated core proficiency in (a) digital communication & collaboration, (b) basic
digital content creation, (c) digital safety & security, (d) data literacy, and (e) problem
solving with technology (including responsible use of AI assistants).

Fluent spoken and written French

Fluent spoken and written English

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

Managerial Competencies: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development

Functional Competencies: Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering others