Job Openings at Panagora Group

Job Description

The Solutions Advisor | Advancing Localization will support one or more of the following tasks, core activities and deliverables as listed below and as assigned, based on TSS’ work plans. For these activities the consultant may be asked to complete the tasks and/or develop the capacity of colleagues, USAID, government or implementing partner counterparts to complete these tasks.

• Conceptualize, facilitate and contribute to communities of practice to bring the latest knowledge and resources to influence data analytics, visualization, and best practices for advancing localization. 
• Critically appraise and evaluate information relevant to the practice of Localization and apply this appropriately, incorporating findings in relevant materials and resources.
• Work across USAID country teams (including South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho, Angola, and/or Namibia) to embed best practices in routine activities of these teams.
• Contribute to the development of work plans, strategies, training materials, job aides and various other resources that help USAID staff incorporate localization good practices in activity design and planning, solicitation, award and activity administration and monitoring.
• Map skills needed to conduct good practices in localization, and support skill gap mapping within USAID teams and support the development of capacity strengthening strategies to close skill gaps.
• Support the operationalization of USAID strategies and policies, such as the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy, Revised Risk Appetite Statement, and the new Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) Strategy that aim to advance localization efforts.
• Support the development of engaging, well-written communications and knowledge products which document good practices and innovations, learning, results, and achievements for specific audiences using appropriate platforms and tools, and facilitate their strategic distribution in compliance with the USAID branding guidelines. 
• Support effective communication on project performance/issues, findings from research, and data analysis using existing technology most appropriate for the context and audience.  
• Collaborate with relevant staff/teams to identify/develop, strengthen, and maintain effective knowledge management and communications practices, systems, and technology.  
• Contribute to the preparation and presentation of PowerPoint-based reports on the progress and results of project activities, including quarterly and annual program reports to USAID. 
• Contribute to the design, development, and facilitation of effective collaboration opportunities for TSS, USAID, and other key stakeholders. 
• Support the identification, writing, and review of items for publication at conferences and other learning events and fora. 
• Attend key meetings and utilizing templates, populate meeting minutes, agreed actions and/or deliverables; synthesize complex discussions into salient points, actively listening and capturing key information for decision making.
• Support the USAID/Southern Africa mission as well as missions in the region to strengthen their internal capacity to be more effective Agreement/Contract Officer Representatives. This may include developing checklists, tools, trainings, etc. and to be a resource for questions and best practices to make the theoretical A/COR training into applicable and practical for the Southern African context. 
• As needed, copy-edit key documents from other Panagora work areas and teams. 
• Other activities as assigned. 

Requirements

• Master's degree in international relations or related discipline preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience in international development, including in the design, coordination, and management of health programs in developing countries (preferably within Ssouthern Africa and preferably USAID and/or USG program experience).  
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, with experience working in multidisciplinary teams. 
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail, with demonstrated experience in managing complex projects in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment. 
• Strong stakeholder relationship and communication skills.
• Proven capacity to take initiative, strong work ethic, and the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills, including report writing and presentations in the English language.
• Proven capacity to take initiative and willingness to learn new skills as needed. 
• Previous USAID A/COR experience is advantageous. 
• Experience with PEPFAR and other USAID offices and/or initiatives  preferred.

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Position Summary

The Technical Support Services (TSS) Activity helps USAID/Southern Africa’s Regional Health Office (RHO) address technical priorities, develop creative, innovative solutions to strategically allocate resources, strengthen connections with partners, and replicate best practices and effective program models. Through the TSS contract, Panagora Group augments capacity by providing technical, operational, and administrative support to USAID’s health portfolio. TSS deploys advisors in response to USAID requests for priority work with government stakeholders, implementing partners, and/or other entities. TSS supports Health Office staff and teams in integrating creative solutions into routine work. TSS also provides international and local expertise for surge support, as needed, for USAID Program Cycle requirements, planning, development, outreach, communications, and Health Office human resource functions.   

Duties and Responsibilities include: 

Data Review and Data Use: 

• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to elucidate operational issues and key themes across partners and geographies and disseminate findings to appropriate stakeholders to drive programmatic improvement (including findings from Data Quality Assessments (DQAs)). 
• Facilitate the review and identification of performance indicators and targets for Care and Treatment programming (in collaboration with the Strategic Information Lead). 
• Interpret and incorporate program monitoring and evaluation findings into ongoing program implementation. 

Program Management: 

• Guide and lead technical teams in support of QI principles and efforts across the program, including:  
• developing and refining logical frameworks 
• drafting program descriptions and best practices 
• creating performance management plans, including the identification of project milestones, targets, and performance indicators 
• Identify and compile data or analyses needed for program QI efforts. 
• Program Support, Coordination, and Knowledge Management:  
• Conceptualize, coordinate, facilitate, and contribute to Care and Treatment partner meetings, quarterly performance reviews, and other program monitoring activities. 
• Coordinate and draft program (work plan) guidance and disseminate strategic information, latest research, and other knowledge products to partners for improved program implementation. 
• Identify, draft, and disseminate best practices and other program documentation.  
• Draft, edit, and/or finalize high-quality, routine products for Agency processes such as budgets, memos, and programmatic briefs/updates. 
• Provide guidance and monitoring for site visit tracking, reporting, and analysis for cooperative agreement management compliance and programmatic improvements.   
• Stakeholder engagement and support 
• Participation and facilitation in relevant stakeholder engagements to support the roll-out of Operation Phuthuma handbook and provide guidance on the OP Nerve Center approach at all health system levels. 

Requirements 

• Master’s degree in medicine, public health, or other relevant science-based discipline.   
• 8-12 years of experience in international public health programming and experience working in technical oversight, design, and implementation of HIV and AIDS and/or other health programs in developing countries.   
• Specialized knowledge in the demography and epidemiology of HIV and AIDS and other health areas.  
• Specialized knowledge and demonstrated expertise in understanding the current evidence base as it applies to HIV and AIDS and other health areas program design, management, and evaluation.   
• Relevant work experience for this position includes previous work as a technical advisor for the South African Government, other donors, civil society, community health services, or international donors. 
• Skilled at strategizing, developing, and implementing effective USAID-supported HIV and AIDS and other health area programs, including financial management and/or administrative skills to oversee the performance of implementing partners, technical advisors, and development partners.   
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and reasoning skills, verbal skills, and ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical colleagues.   
• Familiarity with HIV and AIDS and other health area modelling of incidence and prevalence and ability to interpret results for programmatic decision-making/prioritization.   
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds.  
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail.   
• Strong report writing and presentation skills in English.  
• Strong work ethic and the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.   

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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.