Providing longitudinal healthcare to mobile populations cross-border in sub-Saharan Africa comes with its data challenges. And data are key, to measure the impact we are having on our clients’ health and wellbeing, and on a larger scale, to be able to provide evidence-based impact reporting. Therefore, we are investing in our data strategy, processes, tools and people. North Star Alliance has invested over the past years in a new electronic medical records system (EMR), which, after piloting, needs to be further developed and rolled out to our clinics across several countries. Simultaneously we have been working on our data strategy and defined an organizational strategic indicator set (OSIS) which will allow us to measure impact over time in a standardized way, independent of donor’s priorities, trends, or focus. To ensure quality data and fit-for-purpose tools, we also need to review, improve, and standardize our processes and data policies (M&E), and increase all data-related skills of our frontline staff. When all four elements (tools, data requirements, processes, and people) are on par we will be able to guarantee data-driven decision-making on all levels of our organization.
We are looking for a senior, strategic and hands-on project manager with loads of experience, a can-do mentality, who will:
Be responsible for business requirements engineering (“translate” organizational needs into technical requirement specifications)
Be bridging data strategy, marketing, M&E and IT
Detail the data landscape strategy
Further develop, fine-tune, and roll out the EMR system across our clinics
Liaise with external stakeholders for interfacing/data exchange with external systems
Roll out OSIS and further integrate into the EMR
Closely collaborate with our M&E and IT team for any data collection, monitoring, reporting, analysis, evaluation, and dissemination of data and be end responsible for data quality checking for all purposes
Adapt and refine all data-interrelated processes
Besides these duties, it would be additionally welcomed if the project manager can:
Co-develop and maintain a data- and/or system training curriculum for all staff
Co-organize and/or co-facilitate data and/or system related trainings for all staff
Support and guide our staff with the adherence to data privacy and security policies and processes
And perform other position appropriate duties as required in a competent, professional, and courteous manner.
Education and experience
Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in Information Technology, Computer Science or Computer Engineering
Certification level education and experience in Project Management Methodologies like Prince2, PMI, IPMA, etc.
Additional education or certificates in ICT, ICT development and/or Process Management are a plus (e.g., Agile, DevOps, Scrum, Waterfall Model, ITIL, Lean, TOC, etc.)
Extensive experience in the use of Microsoft Excel including complex formulas, macros, protection, and developer mode. Experience with SQL query language is welcome.
Minimum of 10 years of (project) management experience with successful track record in leading multi-disciplinary complex projects with a large ICT component
Minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in ICT projects (including software development and implementation)
Experience in working internationally across a variety of countries (preferably sub-Saharan Africa)
Experience in working with virtual teams internationally, in a matrix set-up is an advantage
Knowledge of the health sector and the NGO sector is welcome
Competences and qualities
The Senior Impact Manager has strategic and tactical insight and works easily on all levels; from strategic lead of the project to detailed tech work.
Being the senior responsible for making this project a success, needs to be combined with a ‘roll up your sleeves’ attitude, and willingness to ‘put your feet in the mud’.
Written and verbal communication – extremely clear, understandable, motivating, and supportive communication skills to all levels of the organization in fluent English.
Accurate and diligent – no 9 to 5 mentality; uses cross-checks, validation and verification to ensure the highest data quality.
Structured and consistent – ability to develop templates and clearly present data in a structured, logical and consistent manner in a Microsoft Office environment (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making – Gathers inputs, assesses risks, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long-term.
Relationship Building – establishes rapport with people easily, developing and maintaining a network of contacts that can provide information, help and access to others.
Displays tact, creativity – demonstrates good judgment and is able to build consensus and knows when a situation needs to be escalated or mediated.
Organization – establishes a systematic course of action for oneself or others to ensure accomplishment of a specific objective. Determines priorities and allocates time and resources effectively, with meticulous attention to detail.
Client orientation – has the ability to manage a variety of duties maintaining quality and meeting client and stakeholders needs.
Team player – willingly cooperates and works collaboratively toward solutions that generally benefit all involved parties and accomplish group objectives.
Passion – is enthusiastically committed, shows ability to persevere and be productive under pressure and maintain confidentiality.
Cross-Cultural Skills – has strong cross-cultural competency and the ability to merge” their different worldviews into a “third” way of thinking beyond the constraints of each individual’s cultural conditioning.
Functional contacts
Reporting to Management Board (Directors)
M&E and IT colleagues across the organization
Matrix team members
Other colleagues in regional offices (Kenya and South Africa) and Blue Box clinics (across multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa)
External stakeholders (IT companies, ministries of health, global and regional multilateral and bilateral bodies, research agencies, strategic partners etc.)
Additional Information
Full-time local contract, for 12 months period, with potential to extend
Authorized to live and work in Kenya or South Africa
Willingness to travel locally and internationally
Recognizes our Values; People Matter/Integrity/Quality/Entrepreneurial Spirit
Passionate about North Star’s mission
Multiple interviews and an assignment can be part of the application procedure
Deadline for applications 15 August, send CV and motivation letter to east.africa.office@northstar-alliance.org
How to Apply
If you meet the above criteria, kindly submit your application letter, certificates and CV online on Email: east.africa.office@northstar-alliance.org on or before Monday, 15th August 2021.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.