TRF+ - Provincial Health and Nutrition Programme

Provincial Team Leader, Lahore, Punjab Province

Job Responsibilities

Position Title: Provincial Team Leader, Punjab

Reports t o : National Team Leader

Background:

The Provincial Health and Nutrition Programme (PHNP) is a large-scale support programme, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The objective of PHNP is to increase the coverage and utilization, particularly by the poor, of RMNCH and nutrition services, thereby contributing to the improved health and quality of life for women, children and the poor, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces. PHNP has a number of components, including: financial assistance to Government to support increased delivery of quality RMNCH and nutrition services; technical assistance to increase citizen engagement in the monitoring and accountability of RMNCH and nutrition service delivery (the Empowerment, Voice and Accountability (EVA) component); and technical assistance to increase capacity of the health sector at provincial and district level for delivery of improved RMNCH and nutrition services (the Technical Cooperation and & Roadmap component).

The TC & Roadmap component comprises two elements: (i) technical assistance provided by the TRF+ to build capacity and strengthen health systems for RMNCH, with a particular focus on service delivery, financial management, and M&E; and (ii) the Health Reforms Roadmap, with a focus on strengthening political commitment and supporting high priority reforms through targeted interventions. These elements work closely together to maximise overall impact of the support. These TORs refer to the TRF+, and are seeking to recruit a Provincial Team Leader to lead the TA team in Punjab province, based in Lahore.

The Punjab Provincial Team Leader will be responsible for leading the Punjab team of technical specialists, providing them with strategic guidance in order for them to provide effective and timely support to the provincial Department of Health and District governments for strengthening systems and building capacities. She/he will coordinate at senior levels of the government to provide policy advice, reach agreement on work priorities, and ensure the achievement of project’s objectives. She/he will coordinate closely with DFID, and represent TRF+ in deliberations with the provincial government. Details are set out below.

Specific Responsibilities of Provincial Team Leader:

Technical Leadership

Lead Punjab TRF+ in understanding and agreeing provincial priorities and areas requiring technical support with key government stakeholders, particularly DOH, geared to the objectives of PHNP.

Maintain regular contact with DOH to ensure all appropriate support is provided on time and to agreed standards.

In collaboration with the Team Leader, maintain direct contact with DFID to understand its needs and priorities regarding PHNP (e.g. DLI validation, log-frame monitoring) in Punjab, and ensure all appropriate support is provided on time and to agreed standards.

Coordinate and liaise with DoH and DFID for timely and regular holding of progress review meetings including quarterly meetings.

Lead the team in formulating and preparing quarterly TA workplans in response to agreed priorities. Actively solicit inputs from senior GoP and DFID stakeholders throughout TA prioritization and planning processes.

Champion a proactive approach within the team, identifying opportunities for data analysis, to provide relevant and timely inputs to policy discussions between DFID and DoH.

Ensure agreed TA governance processes are adhered to. In particular, ensure all necessary approvals for TA workplans and outputs are received (i.e. through Executive Committee meetings)

Maintain focus and provide clear direction to TRF+ team members during TA planning, delivery and quality assurance. Take responsibility for all final TA products, results and reports.

Support all necessary M&E processes to monitor and evaluate TRF+ performance against TA work plans and TA deliverables.

Ensure sound and transparent management of all financial matters, procurement and contracting undertaken by TRF+ in Punjab, in accordance with agreed governance procedures and the principles of good value for money (VfM).

Collaborate with the Primary Health Reforms Roadmap team to ensure appropriate synergy and alignment between TA, Roadmap activities and PHNP.

Lead on interactions and joint analyses/reviews with relevant projects and programmes, particularly EVA and the Sub-National Governance (SNG) programme.

Champion the project across the province, ensuring that PHNP goals and objectives are properly understood, and that the role of TRF+ is clearly appreciated. Facilitate a clear and shared vision of TRF+ priorities and achievements across the province and amongst key stakeholders (relevant government departments, development partners, other projects and programmes).

Provide technical and operational support to all team members where required. Produce sections of technical and financial quarterly and annual reports relating to

Punjab province as required. Liaise with, and seek advice as necessary from, the Islamabad based National Team

Leader for the purposes of information sharing, cross-province coordination and technical excellence.

Provide periodic technical updates as required to the Project Director, London and the National Team Leader.

Undertake any other duties as required by the National Team Leader.

Team Management

Lead and manage TRF+ technical team in Punjab, ensuring delegation where necessary and appropriate.

Clarify roles and responsibilities of team members, and provide support to ensure roles and responsibilities are undertaken effectively. Demand excellence from team members.

Ensure transparency in team leadership. Keep team members and stakeholders informed of key developments, programme decisions, issues, and changes to plans and priorities.

Take responsibility for organizing, leading and ensuring regular team meetings, and ensuring follow-up action on issues raised and timely completion of technical assistance assignments.

Person Specifications:

Qualifications: Preference would be given to a master’s degree in public health and/or experience in

public health/health administration; Or

Master’s degree in a relevant subject such as public administration, management etc.

Experience:

Proven experience of leading large teams to deliver project goals and objectives. Experience in the health sector and of managing health programmes would be an advantage.

Proven ability to manage large scale technical assistance projects and programmes, preferably in Pakistan’s health sector

Experience of different approaches to technical assistance. Experience of working with senior levels of government. Punjab experience an

advantage. Understanding of provincial health reforms and how to support reform processes. Experience of coordinating with international development partners and national and

international NGOs.

Skills:

Strong management, leadership and team building skills. Excellent interpersonal skills, and an ability to work effectively with a range of

stakeholders particularly at senior levels. Analytical and diagnostic skills, able to identify institutional, systemic and capacity

weaknesses and to develop effective responses. A methodical approach to management, with the ability to work under pressure. The ability to communicate proficiently in English (oral and written). Proficient in the use of computers and common software applications, such as

Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook. A team player who can prioritise her/his own workload, and work without close supervision.