Program Manager

Program Manager-Nurturing Health: A Life Course Approach to NCD Prevention

Department / Location: Kathmandu with 30% field visit to support in Lumbini Province and Rupandehi, Kapilabastu, Dang, Banke and Bardiya Districts

Report to: Program Director

Introduction:

Helen Keller International Nepal is launching the Nurturing Health: A Life Course Approach to NCD Prevention in Nepal” project to address the growing diabetes epidemic. Currently, about 10% of Nepali adults have diabetes, with projections indicating this will rise to 13% by 2045. A significant concern is hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP), including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which affects one in six pregnancies and poses serious health risks. Despite these challenges, primary healthcare facilities in Nepal often lack the necessary resources and awareness to manage diabetes effectively.

The project will concentrate on areas with the highest diabetes prevalence, particularly in Lumbini province, targeting districts such as Dang, Rupandehi, Banke, Kapilvastu, and Bardia. By integrating efforts with the USAID Integrated Nutrition program, the project aims to enhance its impact on NCD prevention, especially diabetes and HIP, to improve maternal and child health outcomes across 48 districts in Nepal.

Working under the supervision of the Program Director, the Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the successful planning and implementation of the Nurturing Health: A Life Course Approach to NCD Prevention project and ensuring the quality of the program. S/he is responsible for overseeing staff and ensuring good coordination and collaboration with government and other stakeholders.

Overall Responsibilities:

The position is responsible for ensuring HKI’s best practices are upheld, including adherence to the code of conduct, policies and procedures, financial accountability and making sure official matters are kept confidential.

Ensuring quality is a primary objective of HKI’s programming and monitoring and evaluation oversight is a requirement of all managers to achieve the best outcomes possible.

As gender and social inclusion (GESI) is a cross-cutting and core component for HKI programs, all personnel are required to ensure GESI sensitivity and integration where they work.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities:

• Coordination, Collaboration, and networking
• Coordinate and collaborate with government stakeholders at the three tiers of government for the implementation of project activities.
• Coordinate with MNH Section/FWD, NeSOG, NeDS, UNICEF and other relevant health and nutrition stakeholders.
• Ensure the availability of essential commodities for HIP screening and management at the project supported ANC/PNC facilities.
• Share the best practices and lessons learned from the project with NuTeC, national/international conferences, relevant stakeholders and other projects of Helen Keller International.
• Represent Nurturing Health: A Life Course Approach to NCD Prevention project at the different technical committees of the MNH Section/Family Welfare Division.
• Support coordination and collaboration between local, district, and province level authorities and other concerned sectoral agencies working on MNH and nutrition.
• Work to increase the engagement of private sector service providers in HIP management.

Implementation

• Coordinate the preparation of detailed implementation plans and the planning of project activities.
• Conduct monthly meetings to field team and partner NGOs to track the progress in project implementation, identifying and addressing challenges and recognizing successes.
• Organize the implementation of project activities, ensuring that the necessary logistical support is available.
• Oversee the project staff and directly supervise the three Field Coordinators.
• Participate in recruitment selection, orientation, and training of key project staff and other staff as requested by the Program Director.
• Develop and support teams of engaged and innovative people from different cultural backgrounds, guaranteeing technical excellence and programming synergies.
• Ensure effective, consistent, and timely communication with the field team including project partners.
• Ensure the proper and efficient use of project resources.
• Prepare annual project budgets; monitor expenses compared to budget, in collaboration with the finance team, and take steps to address any issues identified.
• Provide technical support for designing and implementing evidence-based program interventions to ensure quality implementation and for the preparation of training and IEC materials.
• Support the provincial government including health offices to improve and ensure the quality of implementation of Hyperglycaemia in Pregnancy (HIP), NCD prevention, and MBFHI.
• Support capacity -development of health service providers in the early identification and management of HIP and other NCDs.

Monitoring and knowledge management:

• Provide support to M&E team and the field team to develop and monitor the recording/reporting of project activities.
• In close collaboration with the IHMIS and the MNH Section, develop indicators on HIP and advocate to include in the HMIS and LMIS.
• Document best practices, lesson learned, and success stories of the project.
• Prepare periodic reports according to the defined deadlines and as required by Helen Keller and the donor.Representation:
• Represent Helen Keller Intl and its values at the federal, provincial levels and maintain strategic relationships with stakeholders including external development partners.

Qualifications and Competencies:

Educational Degree:

• MD in Gynaecology/Obstetrics, or master’s in public health with medical background or master’s in nursing with clinical background.

Experiences years:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in related field with Nepal government, I/NGOs specially in MNH and nutrition field.

Communication skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills and mentoring of staff partners
• Excellent written and spoken (Nepali and English) language skills

Flexible and multitask:

• An ability to maintain balance when under stress.
• Experience using Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and other software

Others

• Strong knowledge of Nepal’s health systems, policies and strategies.
• Experience in coordination with governments and like-minded organizations.
• Good networking skills with national level and other stakeholders.
• Technically strong on project scope can provide technical backstopping to the project team and bring fresh perspectives.
• Have positive thinking abilities and be a strong leader promoting gender and social diversity.
• In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller
• is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is fully valued.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, caste, age, disability, or any other status that has no bearing on the ability of an individual to perform the functions of the job.