Program Manager - Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health

Job Posting Organization:
The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization founded in 2002, primarily in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Its mission is to save lives and reduce the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries. CHAI collaborates with governments and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems. Over the years, CHAI has expanded its focus beyond HIV to include infectious diseases like COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, as well as non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The organization operates in 40 countries and employs a diverse team dedicated to maximizing sustainable impact at scale, ensuring that solutions are led by governments and designed for national scalability. CHAI values diversity and inclusion, recognizing that its mission is best advanced by the contributions of individuals with varied experiences and backgrounds.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager will provide technical and operational leadership for CHAI Uganda's Emergency Referral Systems (ERS) program, reporting to the Senior Program Manager – SRMNH. This role involves overseeing the design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of interventions across the program's workstreams. The Program Manager will be responsible for steering the ERS team towards achieving program objectives efficiently and on time. This position requires a motivated individual with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as a proven track record in project delivery within government health systems. The role is critical in strengthening emergency referral systems to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Uganda, which remains a significant public health challenge despite recent progress.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Program Management and Leadership: Lead the design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of assigned SRMNCH cluster program activities, ensuring alignment with grant objectives and donor commitments. Develop structured program work plans, results frameworks, risk registers, and budget plans to ensure effective execution and accountability. Conduct quarterly and annual program performance reviews, fostering an accountability culture within the team. Identify strategic areas for program expansion and guide proposal development for fundraising opportunities. Facilitate documentation and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned from program implementation.
• Relationship Management: Develop and manage key relationships with the Ministry of Health's Reproductive and Child Health department, Emergency Medical Services department, district health teams, partner organizations, and other relevant entities. Represent CHAI at national and subnational technical working groups and partner coordination forums. Collaborate with partners in target districts to ensure synergies and avoid duplication of efforts. Facilitate cross-program collaboration within CHAI Uganda to leverage shared expertise and strengthen synergies across teams.
• Strategic Communication: Lead the development of high-quality internal and external program reports, donor updates, and presentations. Synthesize complex program data into actionable insights for diverse audiences, including government officials and donors. Document and disseminate best practices through case studies and success stories.
• People Management: Manage and motivate a team of 2-3 members, providing guidance and identifying opportunities for skill development. Foster a high-performing team environment and ensure team members understand their roles within the broader program. Build team capacity in project management, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• Financial Management: Lead program budget planning, tracking, and reporting. Ensure compliance with CHAI Uganda finance and operations policies across all program activities. Support resource allocation and prioritization of program activities to maximize efficiency and impact.
• Problem-Solving: Proactively identify and manage program-related risks, applying a data-driven approach to problem-solving. Analyze program data and present findings to inform decision-making and course corrections.
• Technical: Provide technical leadership in designing and implementing ERS interventions, ensuring quality improvement in maternal and newborn health services. Offer guidance to partners and government counterparts in logistics management and health systems strengthening.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: A Master's degree is strongly preferred in public health, business administration, or a related field; a Bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement with exceptional experience.
• Experience: At least 5-7 years of working experience in a demanding, results-driven environment, including at least 2 years in a leadership or people management role. Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs or projects, including budgeting and performance management. Experience working with Ministries of Health or other government agencies in a technical assistance capacity is essential. Proven track record of project delivery in global health or international development is preferred, with experience in maternal and newborn health, sexual and reproductive health/family planning, supply chain, or monitoring and evaluation being advantageous.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in public health, business administration, or a related field is strongly preferred. A Bachelor's degree is acceptable if accompanied by exceptional relevant experience.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5-7 years of working experience in a results-driven environment, with a minimum of 2 years in a leadership or people management role. Candidates should have experience managing complex programs or projects, particularly in collaboration with government health systems.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of local languages may be advantageous but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Uganda. CHAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The organization values the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.