Lao People's Democratic Republic (the): Program Manager

MCNV is a Dutch INGO with the mission to support development activities in S.E. Asia. In Lao PDR it undertakes integrated rural development activities with a focus on nutrition and maternal and child health. At a national level MCNV is supporting health research activities in conjunction with Lao Public Health institutes via the EU-funded LEARN Program.

MCNV is recruiting for the position of PROGRAM MANAGER who holds overall responsibilities for managing the LEARN Program, with primary focus on coordinating and supporting partners in implementation. The position reports to Country Director of MCNV Laos and is based in Vientiane.

The LEARN (Lao Equity through Policy Analysis and Research Networks) is a 5-year program funded by the EU to enhance the capabilities of Public Health Institutes in Laos. This is done in collaboration with the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, the University of Health Sciences in Laos, VU University of Amsterdam, the Hanoi University of Public Health and MCNV.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management and Leadership:
- Ensure that the LEARN Program is implemented in an effective and efficient manner.

• Produce the annual plans and budget for the LEARN Program.
• Support the communications and program management of activities amongst the national and
  international partner academic institutions.
• Ensure accurate and high quality reporting as required, plan and facilitate required management and
  oversight meetings.
• Ensure that the program operates in accordance with the policies and procedures of MCNV and
  Europe Aid, including procurement processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate implementation of the monitoring and evaluation framework, appraise
  project progress and promote ownership of partner organisations.
• Support partners in implementation, for example facilitating research studies, editing project reports.
• Support the production of policy briefs and media for the LEARN Program.
• Manage partner and consultant contracts/agreements and ensure compliance to commitments and
  donor requirements.
• Develop work plans with partners through collaborative negotiation, perform regular reviews.
• Oversee organisation capacity assessments and support the development and implementation of
  subsequent training plans.
• Manage accessing co-funding to the LEARN Program.

Coordination:
- Establish collaborative relationships with the LEARN partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Ensure communication and alignment of activities across government and partner stakeholders efforts
  and across other CHAI programs in Lao PDR to ensure coordination and successful execution of the program.
• Participate in ongoing coordination amongst Development Partners and the Government of Laos in
  relation to the concerned topics of LEARN, and represent the interests and goals of the program and
  its partners.
• Identify strategic areas for expansion and guide proposal development needed for future program
  development

Person specification: - Post-graduate degree, preferably Master in Public Health.

• Relevant experience in public health, community development, project M&E.
• Experience in leading and managing successful projects in a low-resource country, working with NGOs or INGOs and preferably in SE Asia (at least 5 years is preferred).
• Proven management skills, including good practices in staff supervision.
• Experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams, including partnership development and capacity building of Government institutions and community-based or non-governmental organisations.
• Excellent and proven analytical and planning skills, financial management, and contract management.
• Demonstrable experience in donor reporting and communications.
• Fluent spoken and written English and strong writing/speaking skills.
• Desire to work NOT in a fast-paced environment, yet still contribute significant value to the people
  of Lao PDR.
  · Humility, sense of humour, appreciation for people different from yourself.

Further information can be found at our website MCNV.org
Please send applications to admin@mcnv.la