Sustainability and Transition Director, Zambia ZIHA Abt Associates

Job Description
Opportunity

Abt Associates is hiring for the anticipated Zambia Integrated HIV and Health Project (ZIHA) which will be an approximately $100 million activity. ZIHA will work in Copperbelt, Northwestern, and Central provinces to provide comprehensive HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support services for people living with HIV and will also integrate support for family planning/reproductive health and maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services.

The Sustainability and Transition Director will be responsible for developing the project’s vision and strategy for building the capacity of Provincial and District Health offices to gradually transition direct service delivery of quality integrated health services to a technical assistance model. S/he will report directly to the Chief of Party and collaborate with the GRZ, USAID Zambia and ZIHA staff at the national and provincial levels to lead the development of a transition plan with milestones for capacity building that will map out the intentional shift from DSD to a TA model. The Sustainability and Transition Director will implement, monitor, and adapt the project’s transition plan in close coordination with GRZ counterparts, USAID Zambia, and senior members of the activity team.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Establish collaborative partnerships and engage with key staff in counterpart institutions, including but not limited to: Provincial Health Offices, District Health Offices, YY, ZZ, and local NGOs, international organizations and USAID Zambia (HSS Division, Family health Division, TB and HIV Division).
Gain a deep understanding of the counterparts’ goals, plans, strategies, priorities, motivations, expectations, and needs (including nuanced information)
Provide technical support for policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination with PHOs and DHOs on the dissemination of health policies, guidelines, data collection/reporting tools, communication materials, and job aides.
Support the project to build capacity across all levels of government, including a gradual HRH transition to local entities to delivery TA.
Set joint transition goals with counterpart institutions that align with ZIHA’s own priorities
In collaboration with ZIHA senior staff, revise the project’s transition plan with these joint transition goals, including translating goals into specific activities to be implemented over the course of the project’s remaining years, timeline, budget, and milestones
Collaborate with ZIHA staff across different teams – Sr. Technical Advisors, Technical Director, COP, Program Leads, Provincial Sustainability and Transition Leads, the Strategic Information Team, Home Office team – to implement the revised transition plan, including:
Assisting and facilitating routine dialogue with local counterparts to ensure alignment with transition goals/plan and to review transition goals/plan as needed
Providing key input to ZIHA’s routine planning and activities to guide the project towards its transition goals
Leading the transition-related dialogue with counterpart institutions, including advocacy to ensure successful implementation of transition plan
Contribute to the capacity development of the GRZ and community-based structures and institutions including the development/revision of capacity development tools for and assessment tools in line with ZIHA’s transition vision
Stay abreast of latest global evidence and experiences related to transition from PEPFAR/USAID programs and incorporate relevant lessons learned into ZIHA’s transition plan
Develop and implement monitoring plan for the transition, including key indicators and milestones, to monitor implementation of the transition and course correct as needed
Document the transition activities and disseminate progress and results

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in public health, public administration, organizational development, health fields, or other related field.
Preferred 15 years of public health experience in Zambia, of which: at least 10 years of experience working in a public Zambian institution, preferably the Ministry of Health and/or NGO; at least 7 years in a senior-level position.
Demonstrated experience liaising with senior-level government officials and strong ability to create collaborative relationships with senior staff in Zambian government and other institutions (i.e. donors, NGOs).
Deep understanding of the Zambian health system and its inner workings, including public and non-public entities, and of HIV and RMNCH health service delivery.
Strategic thinker, with demonstrated ability to navigate complex and multi-faceted contexts to reach a common goal.
Ability to translate vision and goals into effective actions.
Ability to work under pressure and meet narrow deadlines.
Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality reports and knowledge products.
Experience with international development and donor-funded programs. Familiarity with USAID/PEPFAR-funded projects will be an advantage.
Experience in health-related donor funded projects required.
Knowledge of HIV service delivery approaches required.
Fluency in English and excellent verbal communication and writing skills in English.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree + Fifteen years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or PhD + Ten years of relevant experience

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

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About Us
The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance—as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.

At Abt Associates, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.