East, Central and Southern African Health Community

The East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) invites applications for the Post of Manager, Human Resources for Health and Capacity Building Programme from suitably qualified persons who are nationals of member states. The ECSA Member states are Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) is a regional organisation set up in 1974 to promote the highest possible standards of health among member countries. ECSA-HC is mandated to foster cooperation among member states that will lead to the strengthening of health care programmes in the region. The Secretariat implements its activities through specific programmes in Family and Reproductive Health; Food Security and Nutrition; Health Systems and Services Development; HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases; Human Resources for Health & Capacity Building, Research, Information and Advocacy and Monitoring and Evaluation.

The Manager, Human Resources for Health and Capacity Building, is a senior staff member of the ECSA Secretariat and provides leadership and coordinates the Human Resources for Health and Capacity Building Programme activities in the ECSA Health Community. The Manager, Human Resources for Health and Capacity Building will report to the Director General.

• Leads the development and implementation of the ECSA regional HRH and CB Strategy ensuring that it is focused on regional Strategic Objectives.

• As a Senior Member of staff contributes to overall management of the ECSA Secretariat drawing on own professional knowledge and experience.

• Coordinates programmes and activities of Health Colleges of ECSA.

• Collaborates with Member States in developing, improving and applying relevant HRH policies and processes.

• Designs programmes at regional level to address priority human resources development and capacity building issues in ECSA member states.

• Liaises with international, regional and national training institutions and other organizations on human resources for health issues to understand new and best methods in health training that are adaptable to the ECSA member states.

• Collect, compile and maintain a database on the status of tertiary training in the health sector in the ECSA member states.

• Mobilizes resources for the ECSA Human Resources for Health and Capacity Building Programme to ensure that the Programme is adequately funded.

• Coordinates HRH&CB activities to ensure that desired results are achieved.

• Coordinates research on the effectiveness and impact of human resources for health and capacity building initiatives in ECSA member states.

• Organises scientific conferences, meetings and workshops at international, regional and country level and advocate for better HRH policies and practices and to create understanding of the impact of the ECSA Health Community programmes.

• Participates in corporate planning and institutional strengthening activities of the ECSA Health Community and briefs management on the issues that need to be addressed at a regional level.

The jobholder should have a basic degree in a health field or social sciences and a Masters degree in Human Resources Management and / or Human Resource Development, Public Health or health related discipline. He/she should be an experienced trainer with at least five years experience including management of a training programme. Experience working with other sectors and international organisations is essential.

The jobholder should be computer literate, with good public relations and communication skills. He/she will need to be an insightful leader who is able to use her/his Human Resources for Health (HRH) expertise as well as health training to strengthen member states ability to deal with health workforce challenges amidst some of society’s greatest threats such as poverty, a heavy burden of disease including HIV and AIDS and critical shortages of health personnel. She/he will be expected to position the Human Resources for Health and Capacity Building Programme as a strategic function of the ECSA Health Community in its effort to fulfil its mission and mandate. She/he will be expected to consult widely and provide colleagues and network members in the region with sound and creative guidance on key and/or topical aspects of HRH&CB ranging from Policy to Planning, Training and Management of Human Resources for Health. She/he should have the ability to work with various sectors in government, private organisations and non-governmental organisations. The jobholder should be able to work under pressure to meet strict time deadlines.

Age: Between 35 and 54 years of age.

An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the right candidate. The details of the package may be obtained on request from the Principal/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in the applicant’s country or the ECSA-HC Office in Arusha.

This is a three-year contract appointment renewable once by mutual consent on the part of the employer and the employee.

Nationals from member states who wish to apply for the post should do so, on prescribed application forms obtainable from Principal/Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of Health in their respective countries or download the application forms from ECSA website. All application forms require to be endorsed by the respective PS for submission to the Secretariat. Applications should reach the addressee below by August 15th, 2010