Programme Manager (Adv#210/2024)

icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. As a values-based organization icddr,b encourages women and people with disabilities.

The Programme for HIV and AIDS under the Health System and Population Studies Division at icddr,b provides good quality HIV prevention services to vulnerable populations at risk of HIV infection. This has been made possible by working with the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), AIDS and STD programme, donors, UN partners, NGOs and CBOs. Implementing PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) and Chemsex intervention for preventing HIV among sexual and gender diverse (MSM and transgender) population in Bangladesh is another new intervention under the programme. This position will be responsible for implementing different HIV intervention including PrEP/PEP and Chemsex.

Key Responsibilities:

The Program Manager, reporting to the Head, HIV Program will be responsible for Planning, organizing, implementing, monitoring and enhancing programme activities with the objective of effectively executing operational plans along with efficient coordination support to enable programme activities within the guidelines of the Programme for HIV and AIDS; and organizational values and guidelines.

He/she will be responsible for:

 Project Planning and Organizing:

• Understand strategic objectives of the project; derive periodical work-plans (number of participants, timelines, budgets, results etc.) based on the project plan; Derive implications for project execution and allocate different project verticals to team;
• Obtain regulatory approval from the respective authority of the government through advocacy;
• Guide team to prepare implementation plans of PrEP/PEP and chemsex intervention, and review consolidated plan;
• Work directly with the Program Head in providing operational direction, oversight and guidance to the implementation team for effective delivery of program at national scale;
• Oversee the implementation of the PrEP/PEP and chemsex intervention and supervise day to day activities;
• Manage, supervise and report all implementation activities under the project; Track progress against work plans; Derive implications and focus areas for Team members; Finalize implementation plan with team; Cascade goals and responsibilities; Establish review mechanisms and collaborate with team for implementation in order to effectively create a road-map for effective project implementation.

  Project Management and Implementation:

• Design and plan project activity in consultation with the Program Management team, PIs and Project Coordinator;
• Develop appropriate action plan and methodology to complete the project in scheduled time;
• Assign suitable persons to carry out the plan properly;
• Provide adequate resources to implement the project as per plan in order to ensure efficient management and implementation of project activities effectively within the guidelines of the Programme.
• Design and coordinate assessments, select intervention sites, and establish the intervention clinics settings in the service centers based on assessment findings to ensure smooth implementation of the interventions at the field; Take responsibility for developing national guidelines, BCC, and training modules. Ensure the availability of the stock of PrEP/PEP medicine and commodities required for project implementation.

Coordination, Collaboration and Relationship Management with External Institutions / NGOs:

• Strengthen the coordination mechanism within and between Government sectors, development partners and other relevant stakeholders including UNAIDS, WHO, UNODC, ASP, partner NGOs and CBOs for making the intervention successful;
• Develop supporting relationships with other stakeholders in the operating network;
• Resolve conflicts and arrive at mutually beneficial solutions;
• Train and guide staff to resolve conflict situations;
• Develop team approach and promote harmonious relationship within icddr,b and Govt. Institutes in order to provide a conflict-free environment for project implementation.

Data analysis and reporting:

• Prepare manuscript / scientific research report based on the Project data;
• Ensure all requirements based on project implementation are met and reported accordingly;
• Explain and defend findings to varying audiences (fellow-scientists, policy-makers, boards of donor organization, other stakeholders etc.);
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of the project reports and assist supervisor in internal review of the reports in order to ensure qualitative outcome of the project.

 People Management:

• Promote a spirit of collegiality and gender diversity amongst team members and in the organization;
• Encourage team members to collaborate across areas; Address and resolve any diversity related issues; Set goals and conduct appraisals for the team;
• Set high standards and confront poor performance where needed; 
• Supervise project research physician and counsellor
• Mentor young professionals and prepare them for higher responsibilities;
• Take appropriate actions to manage poor performance (such as creating Performance Improvement Plans, coaching, job rotations, planning separations from icddr,b) in order to build and develop an engaged and high performing team.

Required experience and qualifications

Education:

MBBS with Master’s degree in Social Science.MBBS with MPH will be preferred.

Experience:

• Eight years of experience in HIV and AIDS programme, health research and interventions with a minimum of 5 years in mid-level Project management in NGOs/research institutes.
• Working experiences with various key populations at risk of HIV (such as males having sex with males, transgender women, people who use drugs, sex workers) and management of various stakeholders including the government organizations is required.

Location: Dhaka with frequent visit to filed sites.

Contract Type and Duration:

• Fixed term basis for 1 year with a possibility of extension subject to availability of fund and performance.

Salary & benefits:

• Annual 18,88,370 inclusive of house rent and conveyance allowances;
• 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.1,917/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance, and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.

Notes of attention:

• Only short-listed candidates shall be invited for written test/interview;
• icddr,b does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Interested candidates who fulfil the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by September 30, 2024.