Project Officer: Global Health Security at Panagora Group

Description of Position: 

The Project Officer Global Health Security will coordinate strategic planning and management across TSS projects to support USAID/South Africa’s Global Health Security team and USAID regional health offices (including but not limited to RHO, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Mozambique) to meet critical program objectives. S/he will lead the development and coordination of strategies across various TSS projects to determine where program and operations resources are needed and then work to recruit, deploy, and manage technical experts to fill those gaps. S/he will be responsible for coordinating TSS’s support to USAID including project scoping, quarterly and annual work planning and budget development, and recruiting and managing technical experts to respond to identified challenges or gaps. The Project Officer Global Health Security will integrate innovative solutions to all projects, and leverage what has worked previously and adapt approaches to integrate lessons learned and to customize solutions to the unique needs of each Health Office, building relationships with various teams and key stakeholders, promoting efficient and effective ways of working and sustainable knowledge transference from technical experts to health office teams. 

Primary Responsibilities

The Project Officer Global Health Security will carry out the following activities: 

• Management of activities related to TSS’ support to USAID’s Global Health Security team, including the management of a core team of highly skilled technical experts. 
• Provide technical guidance to implement comprehensive program management support to USAID’s Global Health Security team and leverage Panagora’s strengths in engagement, learning, and adapting to ensure that the knowledge generated is effectively synthesized, communicated, acted upon, and stored to underpin evidence-informed decisions and institutional memory. 
• Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation, including guidance documents, standard operating procedures, and training materials. 
• Implement Panagora TSS’s technical assistance approach for assigned Health Offices and projects (based on needs and requests) to achieve USAID’s strategic priorities. This will be done by project managing long- and short-term staff as well as subcontractors. 
• Monitor progress on project work plan/s, ensuring high-quality deliverables are submitted on time and on budget. This includes creating and maintaining monday.com board/s as a project management tool, as well as overseeing all phases of each deliverable (development, review, and submission). 
• Harness existing technology to improve communication efficiency with stakeholders. 
• Support USAID in effective communication on Global Health Security program guidance, program performance/issues, and data analysis by developing and maintaining a Global Health Security Google knowledge management and communication site. 
• Coordinate Panagora’s Global Health Security events and travel support with USAID’s Global Health Security team lead. 
• Assist in defining project scope and priorities, involving all relevant stakeholders, and oversee the utilization and development of appropriate management and communication systems to provide rapid and effective support. 
• Liaise with various stakeholders at all levels of local government, donors and implementing partners in the southern Africa region. 
• Support with recruitment to expand Panagora’s bench of global technical, program, and operations professionals with expertise across the health portfolio, including the use of innovative and effective online/virtual and in-person (where appropriate) recruitment activities and events. 
• Management of secondee(s) under assigned project areas. 
• Participate in client-facing meetings and communication, including Panagora-USAID project meetings, weekly and bimonthly updates, and quarterly reports. Coordinate additional or ad hoc updates to USAID on request. 
• Coordinate technical experts’ onboarding/offboarding and ongoing engagement and management, including leveraging their skills and expertise in other areas of work across TSS. 
• Working closely with the Senior Project Officer Southern African Health Programs & Deputy Chief of Party: Technical and Operations, collaborate with all TSS tasks and team leads to leverage solutions and approaches implemented across the various tasks to rapidly implement those solutions in assigned projects, scaling up TSS activities in TSS project supported countries. 
• Other activities as assigned.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in Public Health, International Development, Project Management, or a related field is required. 
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in project management, particularly in global health security or related fields. 
• ​Proven experience in coordinating and managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and international donors. 
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing teams, including technical experts and project staff. 
• Experience in working with USAID-funded projects or other international development organizations is highly desirable. 
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to develop and implement work plans, monitor progress, and ensure the timely delivery of high-quality deliverables. 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to a diverse audience. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and support in global health security, program management, and knowledge management. 
• Proficiency in using project management tools such as monday.com and other relevant technologies for efficient communication and collaboration. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and implementing partners. 
• In-depth knowledge of global health security principles, policies, and practices. 
• Familiarity with the health landscape in the Southern Africa region, including key challenges and opportunities. 
• Understanding of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements. 
• Knowledge of innovative solutions and best practices in global health security and project management. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Google Suite  
• Computer literacy and the ability to use a range of Panagora platforms, including the Google Suite. Be a resource to team members on how to use these platforms well.  
• Strong work ethic and the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.