Chief of Party - Sierra Leone Malaria Activity

The Opportunity

Under the supervision of the U.S.-based Project Management Director, the Chief of Party (COP) manages, and supervises the successful implementation of the Abt Global Central Mechanism in Sierra Leone and acts as the primary liaison between the project and the local U.S. Department of State, the National Malaria Program (NMP), Ministry of Health, other government agencies, and various other malaria stakeholders in-country. The COP provides overall strategic direction, operations management, technical leadership, and financial and administrative compliance for all project activities to assure milestones are completed on-time, and within budget. 

The Abt Global Central Mechanism supports malaria vector control and HIV/AIDS service delivery in 14 partner countries, with the goal of improving health outcomes for target populations while strengthening the planning, data management, and implementation capacity of host-country governments and local institutions. The project sustains uninterrupted malaria vector control interventions, including insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution, indoor residual spraying (IRS), and spatial emanators, as well as HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services. Across partner countries, the project identifies opportunities to align and transition vector control data collection to national Health Management Information System (HMIS)/DHIS2 platforms. It also strengthens HIV laboratory referral and quality management systems and supports entomological and insecticide-resistance surveillance, including monitoring for Anopheles stephensi, in priority countries. In collaboration with government counterparts, the project identifies functions for transition and provides support to advance government memorandum of understanding (MOU) objectives. This activity runs for 9 months from January 1, 2027 through September 30, 2027.

Core Responsibilities

• Represents Abt Global and the Project to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the NMP, the U.S. Embassy, and other key stakeholders.

• Carries full authority and accountability for activity decisions, as delegated by the U.S.-based Project Management Director.

• Sets and pursues a results-oriented program strategy in coordination with the project team and in consultation with the MOH, NMP, U.S. Embassy, other partners and stakeholders.

• Lead day-to-day execution of the firm fixed award, performance-based program, ensuring all activities, contractual milestones, acceptance criteria, and payment triggers are achieved on schedule.

• Manage competing priorities while maintaining full compliance with the negotiated statement of work and other contract requirements.

• Establish country team milestone-progress reviews to confirm that performance is on track to meet milestones.

• Escalate potential milestone failures, scope growth, funding pressures, and other contract-impacting issues promptly. 

• Control scope through disciplined management and formal authorization of any changes affecting milestones, schedule, resources, or budget.

• Leads the development, achievement and production of all milestones, including but not limited to reports (e.g. country work plans, vector control summary reports, forecasting and procurement plans, etc) and project activities (e.g. start up activities, trainings, vector control tool deployment, etc). 

• Develops and leads a country-specific transition discussion with NMP/government partners to determine priorities and identify gaps and develops a transition plan based on feedback and discussions.

• Ensures that safeguarding best practices are incorporated in all project activities from the design stage and that all staff are held accountable for enforcing safeguarding measures at every level.

• Supervises and mentors the project’s Senior Managers, such as the Integrated Vector Control Manager, Finance and Administration Manager, and others as applicable.

• Ensures that all country staff, , subcontractors and consultants understand their roles and responsibilities to ensure compliance with contract requirements, Department of State and Abt policies and procedures.

• Ensures that project budget projections, expenditure, tracking and reporting are in accordance with the project milestones and Abt Global requirements, procedures and practices.

• Ensures that lessons learned and best practices are documented and shared.

• Maintains regular communication with Abt Headquarters team, regarding project updates, issues and general project management aspects.

• Uphold the highest ethical standards and an ability to handle sensitive information with the utmost discretion.

What We Value

• Bachelor’s Degree 12  years, or master’s degree 10  years , or PhD 8 years 
• Master’s degree (minimum), or a Doctorate Degree (desirable), in Public Health/Health Administration (or other relevant health specialization) or Business Administration. 
• 8 years of relevant international health experience.
• Significant experience in malaria prevention and control desired
• At least 3 years of senior project management experience in large international health programs.

• Demonstrated experience delivering contractual milestones tied to client acceptance strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of cost, schedule, scope, risk, and quality management.

• Experience managing fixed-award, firm fixed price or milestone-based engagements desired.

• Demonstrated leadership in management skills and ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, ranging from 10 to 25 employees.
• Experience managing a fast paced, results-oriented, deadline-driven project.
• Significant ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders, including U.S. Department of State personnel, ministry officials, and other development partners.
• Experience developing and communicating a project vision, aligning key stakeholders around the vision, and assuring the vision is translated into efficiently implemented program activities.
• Strong ability to communicate and write reports and other professional documents in English.
• English professional fluency is required.

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.

Disclaimer: Abt Global will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

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