Managing Director, MSH Nigeria at Management Sciences for Health (MSH)



The Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Managing Director, MSH Nigeria

Job Requisition ID: R4888
Location: Nigeria
Job type: Full-time

Job Summary

  • The MSH Nigeria Managing Director will play a pivotal role in deepening and expanding MSH’s influence in Nigeria.
  • In the role of Managing Director, she/he will oversee the operations of MSH Nigeria, LTD/GTE  (“MSH Nigeria”) with direction from and under the supervision (direct or indirect) of the MSH Nigeria Board of Directors (on which Board the Managing Director also sits) and the MSH, Inc, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and in accordance with applicable Nigerian laws and regulations, donor rules, and applicable MSH, Inc. policies, including without limitation laws, rules and policies relating to MSH Nigeria, operations. 
  • The MD is at the forefront of MSH Nigeria business development initiatives, enhancing our visibility within the country through the cultivation of relationships, and supporting the expansion and sustainability of the MSH platform in Nigeria.
  • The MD will spearhead the development and implementation of a strategic business plan tailored for Nigeria to position MSH as a pivotal player in enhancing health system capabilities and achieving universal health care across the country.
  • The MD will oversee MSH Nigeria project implementation in Nigeria, ensuring that projects and their teams achieve objectives, within budget, and in strict adherence to contractual and MSH policy requirements.
  • Collaborating closely with Global teams across MSH, the MD will champion technical excellence, ensuring all initiatives reflect MSH’s high standards, core values, and mission.
  • As the ambassador and advocate for Nigeria’s initiatives within MSH worldwide, the MD will unify and harmonize MSH Nigeria’s diverse projects and teams within Nigeria, fostering knowledge sharing within Nigeria and with MSH globally.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
MSH Nigeria LTD/GTE Leadership and Management – 25%:

  • Represents Management Sciences for Health in all legal matters at the country level and ensures that MSH Nigeria’s operations are aligned with local laws and regulations.
  • Serves on the Board of Directors and supports the fulfillment of corporate governance functions, as required by local law and MSH Nigeria governance documents.
  • Leads organizational development for MSH Nigeria with a focus on expanding and institutionalizing shared services, project implementation, and business development structures. 
  • Leads the development and implementation of a strategic business plan for MSH Nigeria, in collaboration with the Board of Directors and MSH, Inc. leadership
  • Supports the implementation of a talent management framework that fosters a positive work culture and promote teamwork, collaboration, and professional development and facilitates performance management across the MSH Nigeria team.
  • Manages intercompany agreements with MSH, Inc. for project implementation and global services.
  • Facilitates internal coordination and linkages required to achieve technical and administrative management objectives at the country and global levels.
    • Develops and manages platforms for ensuring knowledge exchange across projects and with MSH, Inc.
    • Manages a Country Leadership Forum, comprised of senior leaders from projects and across MSH Nigeria functional units.
    • Supports the development and dissemination of communication products to increase internal branding in country.
    • Coordinates MSH, Inc. Leadership Team or Board visits to the country in coordination with the MSH, Inc. Global office.
  • Responsible for monitoring country employee engagement scores and implementing strategies for improving scores in coordination with project leaders, HR, and other relevant personnel.

Operations and Financial Oversight (15%):

  • Oversee the development and management of MSH Nigeria’s short and long term financial planning, including corporate and project budgets, financial forecasts, and cost control measures, including supervision of the MSH Nigeria Sr. Director of Finance and Operations.
  • Oversee internal controls and internal and external financial systems, services, and reporting.
  • Ensure compliance with financial regulations, regulatory requirements, accounting standards, reporting requirements, and ethical standards.
  • Monitor financial performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
  • Oversee and ensure effective risk management processes, including the identification of risks and development of related risk mitigation strategies, in accordance with MSH’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework. 

Program/Business Development & Client Relationship Management – 30%:

  • Maintains and builds strong relationships with a wide range of clients (donors, host country government, local partners, etc.), and proactively develops and delivers upon a robust pipeline of new program opportunities to grow the country platform and scale MSH’s impact.
    • Identifies opportunities that could lead to new business or ensure continuation of program activities.
  • Leads strategies and contributes to production of winning proposals:
    • Drafts and reviews proposals in coordination with MSH, Inc. to ensure better demonstration and understanding of MSH’s country context.
    • Leads coordination with the MSH Nigeria Project Directors and other country staff to leverage their participation and contributions on bids or proposals.
  • Manages client and other engagement, identifying opportunities to bring them to better understand MSH Nigeria:
    • Develops and strengthens current networks and relationships with government officials and other key clients.
    • Proactively identifies and establishes new relationships with key local clients and other stakeholders in the country, including government ministries, private sector companies, business associations, philanthropic organizations, and civil society to increase visibility of MSH branding, practices, and technical approaches and foster new partnership, business development,  and fundraising opportunities.
    • Plans for and monitors internal actions related to client and other stakeholder communications and ensures timely follow-up communication.
  • Develops and implements a strategic communication plan to promote MSH’s leadership in the health sector, increase the visibility of our projects and establish MSH’s brand in the health sector in Nigeria. Represents MSH Nigeria in public events or conferences, when needed.

Program Delivery and Performance Oversight – 30%

  • Provides strategic leadership and management oversight to MSH Nigeria Project Directors and project teams team to deliver high-quality results within budget and in accordance with MSH’s Project Program and Planning tools and frameworks, Quality Management System, and Standards of Implementation Excellence. Ensures that project start-ups and closeouts are implemented efficiently, timely, and effectively following MSH’s start-up and close-out requirements.
  • Guides Project Directors to manage client relationships in accordance with MSH’s Client Relationship Management Framework.
    • Establishes regular communication and relationships with clients to ensure MSH responsiveness to donor needs and requests.
    • Provides guidance and support to Project Directors as they partner with donors and other clients for preparation and execution of external evaluations and audits.
  • Ensures that Project Directors and full project teams are aware of and comply with all donor regulations, local laws, and any other relevant requirements.
    • Provides oversight to Project Directors for contractual compliance.
    • Ensures Project Directors delivers timely and high-quality technical, financial, contractual, and other deliverables, including: the annual work plan, budget, Performance Monitoring Plan, progress reports, Environmental Mitigation Plan and reports, and ad hoc reports.
  • Ensures Project Directors and the full project teams are aware of and comply with all relevant MSH, Inc. and MSH Nigeria policies, procedures, and personnel standards (technical, legal, contractual, financial, business ethics, quality management, etc.).
    • Oversees and ensures that compliant management and operations systems are in place to effectively support the project’s technical activities and safeguard MSH.
    • Supports Project Directors in the preparation and execution of internal audits and ensures timely resolution of issues identified.
    • Promotes and oversees MSH’s practices across projects to ensure alignment with MSH’s global policies and procedures in Finance, HR, Operations, Ethics & Compliance, Security, Quality Management, including sub-award monitoring and mitigation, strategic communications, portfolio reviews, technical performance reviews, project start-up and close-out, data quality, research, learning.
  • Promotes knowledge exchange and lessons learned by working with country and global project teams, Program Planning and Management staff, MERL-Tech staff, and Global Health Innovation technical support teams and Technical Strategy Partners, and others as appropriate to identify and document challenges, solutions, innovations, best practices, and lessons learned.
  • Works with Project Directors to develop clear Performance Objectives and Professional Development Goals and actively monitor and discuss these objectives throughout the year and evaluate their attainment during the annual Performance Review.
  • Coaches Project Directors on issues pertaining to financial and risk management, client relationship management, staff management, program design, and annual work planning and communications.
  • Guides the Project Directors to prioritize data analysis and use of data for decision-making and adaptive project management.

Requirements
Required Education:

  • Advanced Degree in Public Health, Business Administration, or related areas.

Required Experience:

  • Minimum of 15 years of experience in public health, including extensive knowledge of technical public health implementation, and experience managing health systems projects.
  • Demonstrated experience fundraising, working with donor organizations, and representing an organization at a senior level.
  • Established network of personal and institutional relationships in public health in Nigeria
  • Demonstrated experience in influencing, negotiating, and managing relationships with high-level leaders and partners.
  • Experience managing large contracts and budgets funded by donors such as USAID, UN, World Bank, etc., particularly in the health sector, is highly desirable.
  • Experience in the private or public sector with business acumen.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Ability to influence, motivate, and work constructively with senior technical leaders and lead without line authority.
  • Excellent written and spoken English skills, including report writing skills.
  • Strong operational background with experience developing and managing budgets, reporting and revising budgets.
  • A good understanding of Microsoft Office Suite products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint, is required. Knowledge of Salesforce is preferred.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of Nigeria’s Public Health Systems and Organizations is preferred and desirable.  

Competencies:

  • Leadership qualities such as global experience, ability to work in a global work environment, judgment, and confidence.
  • Ability to grow, manage, leverage, and sustain a high performing team.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset, flexibility, ingenuity, resilience, and commitment to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment.
  • Exceptional communication skills, particularly at all levels and for all audiences.
  • Proven ability to influence, negotiate, and manage relationships with high-level leaders and partners.
  • Demonstrates MSH’s Values.
  • Knowledge and commitment to public health practices.

Physical Demands:

  • Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: The listed job responsibilities are not exhaustive. Other duties as assigned.