Country Support Manager

Silver Spring, MD, United States

Silver Spring, United States | Posted on 01/19/2024

Panagora Group is a small business providing novel andintegrated solutions in global health and international development. Our goalis to provide innovative solutions that build national capacity and promotesustainability through robust local participation and capacity building,utilizing highly integrated and private sector solutions. Throughout our work,we embrace a virtuous circle of knowledge stewardship, collaborative learning,and the application of evidence to heighten and accelerate positive health anddevelopment outcomes.

Panagora Groupseeks a Country Support Coordinator to join the five-year USAID-fundedLocalize Global Health Security (LGHS) project. The project will work inpriority countries under the USAID Global Health Security Agenda to strengthenglobal health security capabilities of local partners and address criticalhealth security gaps as defined in national health security action plans.

The CSM is responsible for ensuring effectivemanagement and backstopping support for up to three LGHS countries andcoordinating technical assistance and core investments at country level. TheCSM will work in close collaboration with the HQ-based LGHS Deputy ProjectDirector (DPD), country support coordinators, and finance & accounting staffto provide daily oversight and managerial support to assigned country programs.The CSM will report to the DPD and work in alignment with the in-country GrantsEngagement Managers GEM(s) to support local entities, including local grant andtechnical assistance recipients and collaborate with other LGHS stakeholders, includingUSAID.

This is a full-time position based in the Washington DC area and may requiretravel to project countries.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Management, Planning, and Oversight

Backstop implementation of project activities at the countrylevel, manage country budget, ensure performance and monitor progress againsttargets.

Manage day-to-day interactions with the GEMs to ensure thatcountry program implementation is aligned with project expectations andapproved work plans. Ensure that adequate systems and resources are in placefor successful delivery. Propose corrective action where necessary to realizeproject commitments.

Lead the timely development, submission and approval ofannual country work plans and budgets in assigned LGHS country programs.Support in negotiating country work plan activities and budgets with USAIDMissions, partners, and country counterparts.

Coordinate the development of global strategic direction forLGHS country related work and ensure sound strategic and work planningprocesses consistent with global priorities and direction at country level.

Oversee the development, accuracy, and submission ofprogress reports (semiannual, annual and end-of-project) and other deliverablesin LGHS program countries.

Monitor financial management and administration of countryprograms to ensure the effective, efficient, and compliant operations ofcountry programs. Work with the LGHS HQ Activity Management Team (AMT) and Finance& Accounting (F&A) Manager to provide guidance and resolve anyoutstanding issues.

In collaboration with the LGHS AMT, F&A Manager andGrants team, ensure that country programs are managed in accordance with LGHSand Panagora policies and procedures, comply with USAID rules and regulations,and comply with local laws.

Keep the Deputy Project Director appraised on complex and/orsensitive issues and work closely with the country support team to troubleshootthese and identify the appropriate course of action.

Support GEM(s) in developing and nurturing relationshipswith USAID at the country level

Serve as a point of contact for country Missions and representcountry program related issues with USAID/Washington as delegated.

Work with relevant LGHS staff to support incoming awarddocumentation and processing, award amendments, and donor reporting.

Support HR related processes at country level.

Supervise and mentor HQ-based country support coordinators,and coordinate/collaborate with other Country Support Managers.

Coordination of Technical Assistance and Support

In consultation with other key LGHS personnel, identifytechnical assistance needs at country level, and ensure timely, coordinated andappropriate TA; and,

Coordinate global engagement at country level to ensuretimely, efficient delivery on all LGHS commitments. Ensure global engagement isconsistent with country level commitments and capacities.

Support Local Grants Program

Support the successful implementation of the grants undercontract program in compliance with Panagora’s policies and procedures andstandard of practices, as well as relevant USAID requirements and regulations.

Participate in grant review meetings with country colleaguesand support resolution of issues raised.

Liaise with the in-country grants engagement managers (GEMs)and the HQ-based director of grants and grants coordinator to ensure agreementand contractual obligations are being met and in accordance with applicabledonor requirements. Ensure all documentation is being completed correctly, andthat procurements and delivery of goods to grantees are moving forwardappropriately.

Knowledge Management

Ensure proper brand identification at country level, andwork with the Knowledge Management Specialist to increase visibility of LGHScountry work and success stories at both local and global levels. Overseecontent of the Country Initiatives web-page, ensuring regular updates andquality submissions.

Develop communication mechanisms and protocols to ensureeffective, efficient communication between LGHS teams at global and country leveland ensure broad sharing of country level plans and performance.

Foster cross-country and global/country learning andexchange in collaboration with the Deputy Project Director and KMC specialist.Develop mechanisms for identifying promising practices, and opportunities forenhancing programs through lessons learned and innovations.

Requirements Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred inpublic health, social sciences, international development, or a related field.

At least 6-8 years of experience managing all aspects ofcomplex international development programs. Public health generalist withproven ability to facilitate the work of multi-intervention teams.Understanding of health policy, health systems strengthening, behavior changecommunication, community development, or a related field a plus.

Proven track record with demonstrated success across thewhole range of project management: strategic program planning; work planningand budgeting; financial, administrative, contractual management and oversight;client relationship management; oversight of program monitoring and evaluation;and documentation of results for USAID-funded programs.

Strong knowledge and previous experience managing UnitedStates Agency for International Development (USAID) funding essential.

Strong management and communication skills, includingdemonstrated experience interacting with U.S. Government agencies, host countrygovernments and other relevant stakeholders.

Experience working across multiple sub agreements andpartners; ability to work well with people at all levels and across functionalareas. Team player who seeks and can build consensus.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple activitiessimultaneously and work in a complex environment with teams whose members arephysically located in different time zones and geographic areas around theworld.

Excellent English language skills, both written and spokenwith strong presentation skills. Ability to prepare and disseminate projectfindings, success stories and other documents effectively.

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Proven ability to supervise and mentor staff from differentcultures.

Working knowledge of Microsoft software packages: Word,Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

Ability to communicate effectively with program andtechnical staff concerning regulatory policies and procedures and complianceissues.

Attention to detail and excellent analytical, communication,writing and editing skills.

Strong initiative and self-motivation required, with acommitment to teamwork and effectiveness within a nonhierarchical,participatory, matrix management environment.

Ability to travel internationally when required (up to 15%time).

English required; proficiency in French or Portuguese a plus

To Apply : Fill out the online application. Please include a cover letter and resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Only applicants who include the required application components will be considered.

Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

*Note: Panagora does not offer visa sponsorship at this time.

Panagora Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.

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