ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Village Health Works (VHW) is a 501(c)(3) global health organization operating in Burundi, East Africa, with offices in the USA and Burundi. Founded in 2006, VHW’s mission is to provide quality, compassionate health care in a dignified environment while also addressing the root causes of illness, poverty, violence, and neglect.

VHW was founded in partnership with the community we serve. The organization uses a holistic model to strengthen communities by removing barriers to human dignity and restoring hope, focusing first on treating and preventing illness through primary health care services. We have integrated in our healthcare programs education, food security program, music, arts and culture, and economic development programs working closely with a strong community engagement program. VHW has built an extensive campus in Kigutu (99 km from the City of Bujumbura) that is nestled amongst lush mountains and overlooks beautiful Lake Tanganyika. With over 500 full-time and part-time employees in Burundi, as well as a small team in the United States, VHW delivers a wide array of programs in a catchment area of 200,000 people within the southern provinces of Burundi. 

VHW is investing in two new initiatives that will extend its impact across Burundi and serve as a model for the country and region. VHW is nearing completion of construction of the Kigutu Hospital and Women’s Health Pavilion, a 150-bed teaching hospital with surgical capacity. Additionally, VHW has established the Kigutu International Academy, a grade 9-12 boarding school to equip young minds with an education based on critical thinking to prepare them to become the leaders we wish their country and the continent to have.

For more information, please visit www.villagehealthworks.org

Position Overview

Reporting to the CEO, you will work closely with the senior leadership and ensure that the vision and direction of VHW in Burundi is aligned with VHW’s mission and strategic objectives. You will lead the smooth running of programs and strengthen their quality through the creation of a review process, comprehensive monitoring and evaluation, staff development investments and regional partnership capacity strengthening. You will make sure that all programs of VHW are well integrated and communicating, collaborating and coordinating in a highly professional way. You will remain current on national and regional issues impacting the country program and develop responsive strategies to changing contexts. You will demonstrate exemplary leadership abilities and deploy strong, professional communication and interpersonal skills, both internally and externally. You are expected to develop networks within and outside of Burundi to strengthen and build new partnerships with institutions that have shared mission and vision. You will have a record of fundraising success, including prior experience with African, European, US and other international donors.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Representation

·       Lead by maintaining open and professional relations with colleagues and partners, by promoting a strong team spirit and providing guidance, oversight and resources to enable staff to perform successfully.

·       Serve as the face and most senior member of In-country leadership for VHW. Cultivate excellent professional relationships and interact, on behalf of VHW, with local authorities, other national and international institutions, donors and other in-country diplomatic missions.

·        Provide superb leadership management and supervision of all VHW activities.

·       Manage institutional and contractual relations in Burundi.

Implementation, Quality and Reporting

·       Plan activitics, ensure the quality of projects and follow-up of actions.

·       Ensure efficient management of public grants and private funds for results, compliance, and focused, timely reporting; and oversight of financial management and compliance systems.

Strategy and Administration

·       Lead in the development and implementation of programs and services that are in line with the overall strategic plan of VHW and the context in the country/region. Facilitate the alignment of VHW’s programs to strategic priorities and accountability mechanisms.

·       Provide strategic leadership and direction of VHW in Burundi to achieve in-country organizational vision, mission and objectives.

·       Ensure that the appropriate tools are in place for the smooth running of the programs and in compliance with: VHW’s mission and strategic plan, international humanitarian standards, and donor procedures.

·       Ensure that actions and activities are carried out in accordance with internal policies and procedures, VHW’s mission and strategic plan.

Management

a.     Human Resources

·       Provide leadership support to country staff and promote best practices in human resources management.

·       Oversee adequate implementation of the performance management system including performance objectives and planning, review, appraisal and staff development.

·       Organize regular meetings to exchange information, coordinate projects, events and activities for learning in a highly professional manner.

·       Ensure professional communication internally across the organization and effective modes of communication between the US-based and Burundi-based teams.

b.    Finance & Internal Audit

·       Provide oversight to all in-country finance, operation and administrative services.

·       Oversee the development and implementation of annual country budgets.

·       Ensure that adequate internal control mechanisms, budget monitoring and review mechanisms are in order.

·       Check and verify all inventories and promote efficient management of organizational assets.

c.     Program Development & Evaluation

·       Lead in the development of VHW’s programs and ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability while fostering continuity through building and developing local capacity.

·       Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of research and advocacy plan on issues of relevance in the country aligned with VHW mission and core values.

·       Provide continuous monitoring and support to programs and projects; coordinate program reviews, evaluations, and follow up on implementation of evaluation findings in close collaboration with senior program managers.

d.    Security

·       Ensure a regular analysis of the security context.

·       Ensure the proper application of safety rules by the team.

·       Provide incident reports and manage incidents.

MINIMUM REQUIRED PROFILE

·       Master’s degree in a Social Sciences, Business Administration or Political Science.

·       Proven leader with at least 10 years leadership experience. Experience with NGO work is desirable.

·       Demonstrated successful leadership and management experience with multi-disciplinary teams in cross-cultural settings, including active mentoring and coaching.

·       Experience in managing health, community health and education programs, and risk reduction.

·       Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and French; able to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

·       Deep knowledge of implementing and managing program operations in the developing world including advocacy

·       Ability to live and work full time at VHW’s main campus in rural southern Burundi, with flexibility to travel within and out of the country.

·       Mastery of skills in facilitating working relationships between partners, government officials, and communities.

·       Proven experience delivering appropriate level of oversight of a portfolio consisting of a variety of complex, high-value donor-funded projects/programs.

·       A successful innovative approach to unpredictable programming, operational and funding contexts. Deep knowledge of the region, deep passion for and beliefs in social justice and pathways to possibilities.

·       Mastery of skills as a leader in health service and education delivery strengthening in developing countries and proven ability as a senior manager, including experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.