COUNTRY DIRECTOR KENYA

Overview of ARC

The Africa Resource Centre (ARC) is a trusted, independent advisor to ministries of health, donors, implementation partners, and the private sector to improve the capability of African governments to achieve their supply chain strategies sustainably to reach their national health objectives. ARC follows a government-led and patient-centric approach that supports ministries of health in coordinating the range of resources available to them to provide accessible, efficient, and effective public health services.

ARC’s approach is to be a connector, broker, trusted advisor, catalyst, and ‘pace-setter’ of supply chain transformation for Ministries of Health and their partners.

ARC’s Theory of Change centers on brokering, matching, and structuring demand from MoH and Donors with the supply of expertise, tools, and best practices. This will be achieved through partnerships with private sector organisations and academia to build the capacity of Ministries of Health.

ARC is a non-profit organization registered in South Africa, with regional offices in Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal.

Working at ARC

ARC offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, alongside leaders and colleagues that are deeply passionate about transforming African supply chain systems through public/private sector partnerships.

We are well known for operating with integrity and upholding the highest standards of corporate citizenship and providing a safe and transparent working environment, and a diverse team. We offer staff a place where they are excited to show up and be the best version of themselves.

Ideal candidates for employment at ARC are ambitious and collaborative individuals, with a commitment to excellence in all that they do and a desire to see Africa realize its immense potential.

Role Profile

The Country Director is accountable for all external relationships and delivery of ARC enablement and advisory work in the country. The role will lead a small but influential ARC core team and oversee contracted consultants and technical advisors. The role reports to the Executive Regional Director-Eastern and Southern Africa and will draw on support from regional technical teams as required.

Public health supply chains are managed and influenced by a diverse set of stakeholders and the ideal candidate will have held senior management roles in a large organisation and have had exposure to stakeholder engagement in both the private and public sectors. They should enjoy external relations and building partnerships to effect transformational change. They must be entrepreneurial in outlook and willing to challenge the status quo.

Experience in the health sector is preferred but not essential. Candidates should have experience in a supply chain-intensive industry.

Role and Responsibilities

The Country Director (Lead Enabler) is accountable for:

Business Strategy Formulation and Execution:

• Identification of PHSC Governance Structure, Power Relationships, and Key Leadership Stakeholders
• Develop Country Strategy to deliver maximum system-strengthening benefits and PHSC Leadership Empowerment within ARC’s mandate
• Develop Country Operational Plan to Deliver Strategy (Key Objectives, Approach, Milestones, Timelines, and Budget Requirements) within ARC Mandate
• Review plans with country stakeholders (PHSC Leadership, other Govt. Stakeholders, Donors, and Implementers) to validate and ensure buy-in from PHSC Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

• Country PHSC Leadership Engagement, Socialization of ARC Mission and Definition (in MoU) of Partnership between ARC and Country Government
• Deliver validated strategy to ensure high levels of Country Client Satisfaction
• Donor and Implementing Partner Relationship Management – Explain ARC’s Mission Vision and Duty of Care. Ensure ARC is perceived to wield influence fairly and transparently while prioritizing its duty of care to Key Client stakeholders. Manage concerns and complaints about ARC’s mandate and influence sensitively and leverage ERD and broader ELT where necessary for support.
• Maintain stakeholder landscape and PHSC Governance documents for internal and external communications purposes

Enablement Service to Ministries of Health

• Defining and agreeing with the Country Key Client on the current state of SCSM Maturity and feasible targets for improvement against ARC’s ‘Six Elements’ on an annual basis
• Create plans and execute Enablement improvement plans with clear Country Key Client endorsement. Continually check and validate alignment with Country Key Clients to address issues and risks and to maintain momentum on SCSM Results Framework objectives.

Business Operations and Innovation

• Ensure that ARC’s Enablement Service and any Strategic Advisory Projects delivered to the PHSC Leadership are conducted to a world-class level of professionalism (clear communications and expectation setting; reliable recording and sharing of information, data, and records of proceedings; high-quality planning and facilitation; timely and accurate reporting of status, progress, objectives and budget management).
• Keep up-to-date ARC Internal records (Pipeline and Portfolio Trackers) of Leads, Opportunities, Projects, and other Initiatives (e.g., Roundtables, Conferences, Governance Workshops, etc.)
• Report regularly to the Regional Management Team on SCSM Results Framework, RoI Framework, and Project / Key Initiative Progress and Status
• Maintain an Up-to-Date Landscape Analysis (content similar to Governance and Roadmap deliverables) of ‘Who is doing what?’ on Health System Strengthening in the country
• Identify opportunities, needs, and gaps for ARC to play an Enablement role, deepen or broaden relationships, or develop Strategic Advisory projects that will support integration and alignment of donor and government investments
• Lead country team in the development of concept notes and proposals, partnership negotiations, project launches, and delivery. Agree on the participation of regional SCT and other ARC resources with ERD to support these activities.

People Development and Management

• The Country Director is accountable for identifying human resource needs for core ARC activities and for the execution of strategic projects. This role requires the definition of individual ToRs, Objectives, KPIs, definitions of Deliverables, and Performance Expectations for both internal and external staff, including, in some circumstances, partners and government clients.
• The Country Director will be accountable for conducting these personnel management activities with a high degree of professionalism, and transparency within the constraints of individuals’ right to confidentiality.
• For ARC Staff under management, the Country Director is accountable for operating in compliance with ARC policies and guidelines, and for completing necessary personnel performance management and contract management tasks in good time and always in line with process deadlines.

Risk Management

• Maintain a scan on all risks and issues impacting ARC’s delivery of its mission in the country
• Plan mitigations and Report to Regional Management Team on risks and resources required for mitigations
• Engage support from the whole ARC organisation for risk mitigation, leveraging ERD to escalate to ELT as necessary

Attributes & Characteristics

• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills
• Demonstrated leadership ability, team management, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to manage in a diverse environment

Knowledge, Qualifications, and Experience

• Tertiary qualification in a field relevant to public health supply chain.
• A Masters level or higher supply chain qualification is preferred, but sufficient (10+ years) relevant industry experience will substitute a post-graduate qualification
• At least 10 years post-graduation experience in a supply chain management or advisory role
• Experience in a Country or Regional General Management role with responsibility for the delivery of business results and management of external stakeholders is essential.
• The role holder should ideally be a citizen or permanent resident of the country in question and be able to demonstrate an understanding of the governance structures and political economy of the country
• Experience in the global public health industry is beneficial, but not essential if the candidate has sufficient supply chain technical experience in a similar field
• Experience with consulting or research project proposal development is essential
• Experience in project management in a multi-stakeholder environment is essential
• Experience in contract management of third parties is essential, with experience managing business/IT consulting terms preferred

Travel

• The Country Director will be required to travel at short notice.

Eligibility

• Should be a citizen or permanent resident of Kenya

Application Deadline: 24th November 2022

(Applicants who have not heard from us within 30 days of the closing date may assume that their applications have been unsuccessful, and are hereby thanked for their interest).