Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

DFID-funded
Research Programme Consortia (RPC): Tackling the Structural Drivers of the HIV Epidemic

Futures Group Europe, Ltd. (Futures), along with the Consortium Lead, Makerere University, seeks a senior manager to work part-time (50%) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an exciting new research programme. The post requires high-level management skills, including multi-country initiatives and a good understanding of the demands of complex research programmes. The CEO will interface between all Consortium partners, the Consortium Advisory Group, DFID and other stakeholders as required. The CEO will provide vision, leadership and direction to the research programme and administration of the RPC, overseeing design, delivery and quality. The CEO will have financial and human resource management oversight and will take strategic leadership for Monitoring and Evaluation.

The purpose of this RPC will be to provide evidence on the best ways of understanding and tackling the key structural drivers of HIV risk and vulnerability in order to improve and sustain impact of proven HIV prevention strategies. The research will be multi-disciplinary and broad with an emphasis on health services, operational and health systems research. It will build upon the existing evidence base and provide new knowledge on how to shape effective service delivery and strengthen health systems in the future.

The features of this RPC include the following:
• Headed by a single lead organisation located in Uganda (i.e. Makerere University)
• Management support to be provided to Makerere by Futures Group Europe which is based in the United Kingdom
• Consortium comprised of a variety of prestigious institutions (academic and civil society) on four different continents

The RPC is expected to deliver the following outputs:
• Methodologically rigorous, peer reviewed evidence on what works
• A steady flow of clear, operationally relevant and accessible messages for policy makers
• A range of multi-media outputs to engage a range of audiences in developing countries and internationally at various levels
• Stronger capacity for research in developing countries
• Stronger policy networks, which demonstrate clearer effective demand for evidence, and which regularly draw on the research teams’ advice and guidance.

The CEO of the RPC is a pivotal leadership role. Based at the RPC’s central office in Kampala, Uganda and reporting to Futures Group Europe (based in the UK), the main responsibilities of the role are:

• Management oversight of all aspects of the RPC (including financial and human resources)
• Ensuring the delivery of agreed outputs of the RPC
• Managing the development of the communications and capacity building strategies, and strategically promoting the use of RPC generated knowledge.
• Managing the development and implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation strategy
• Controlling the expenditure of the RPC
• Oversight of data management procedures, including long-term accessibility to data after the RPC ends and developing procedures for open access to data and knowledge
• Developing and Managing an exit strategy for the RPC
• Liaising between different components of the Consortium, particularly about strategic and directional issues, and trouble shooting when required
• Strategising on engagement of users and policy-makers with the research, representing the Consortium in public debate and other media
• Oversight and accountability for planning, programme design and delivery of RPC objectives, strategies, plans and budgets in compliance with principles
• Strategic leadership on communications and Public Relations
• Strategic direction in the design, implementation and performance management of the Communication Strategy, highlighting key policy influencing moments and approaches
• Review, with Research Director and in accordance with Consortia Advisory Groups’ remit (see Annex 4), annual work plans, budgets, annual reports prior to submission of same to DFID
• Managing the relationship with DFID and oversight of reporting to DFID


PERSON SPECIFICATION
 

SPECIFICATION	IMPORTANT	DESIRABLE
FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree	ü
Post-graduate qualification/s in management / MBA	ü
Research / Health qualification		ü
KNOWLEDGE
Strong knowledge of HIV and AIDS	ü
Demonstrable and comprehensive knowledge of good practices in the management and delivery of research and professional consulting services to clients and funders	ü
Demonstrable knowledge of good practices in the design and delivery of technical assistance, capacity building processes and organisational / institutional development		ü
Excellent, current hands on knowledge about financial management,  contracts management and project management	ü
SKILLS
Excellent quantitative and qualitative analytical skills	ü
Excellent planning and management skills	ü
Excellent verbal and written communication skills	ü
Excellent consensus building skills	ü
Ability to multi-task and cover multiple work streams simultaneously	ü
Min. intermediate level Word, Excel and Powerpoint	ü
Excellent spoken and written English and report writing skills	ü
EXPERIENCE
Extensive experience in the successful management and delivery of contracts	ü
Experience in managing large multi-disciplinary teams and multi-country initiatives	ü
Senior management level experience	ü
Experience in managing the delivery of research and / or high level professional consulting services	ü
Experience working with international organisations	ü
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Natural leader and communicator	ü
Consensus builder	ü
Team player; collegial approach	ü
Committed and hard-working	ü
Able to work effectively under pressure	ü
PERSONAL SITUATION
Ability and willingness to live and work in Uganda	ü

Email your CV quoting CEO RPC Uganda to OpportunitiesUK@futuresgroup.com or fax to +44 (0) 1225 443 656.

If you are interested in being considered for other consulting opportunities with Futures Group please send your CV to the above email address

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