Grameen Foundation (GF) helps the world’s poorest people reach their full potential, by connecting their determination and skills with the resources they need.  In Ghana, Grameen Foundation develops mobile phone based solutions to strengthen health care delivery and improve health behaviors, particularly for the rural poor, and is starting up a new program that will use mobile phones to help smallholder farmers improve their efficiency and productivity.

Grameen Foundation is seeking a passionate and driven Regional Technical Project Manager to manage a multi-year and multi-country MOTECH software development project to support the Ebola vaccine deployment, acceptance and compliance project (EBODAC project).  The MOTECH implementation will initially support mobile campaigns around awareness and reminders for multi dose compliance during the Randomized Control Trial (RCT) across three countries[1].  After the RCT, and pending its results, the MOTECH implementation will support both awareness campaigns and adherence reminders in a wider multi-country launch. This opportunity is a full-time project based engagement.  The expected term of the project is three years, but may be extended.

Keys to success in this role will be experience in managing outsourced software development vendors, coordinating expectations across multiple cross-cultural stakeholders, delivering bespoke code software solutions, and operating in an entrepreneurial, start-up atmosphere.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) recently issued a call for proposals to address the outbreak of Ebola and other filoviral diseases.  The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Janseen, World Vision and Grameen Foundation came together to submit a proposal (EBODAC) to address the topic of deployment, acceptance and compliance of the vaccine.  Within the EBODAC project, Grameen Foundation’s role is to design and deploy technology, specifically MOTECH, to support the awareness, adherence and compliance to the Ebola vaccine.  To do this, Grameen Foundation will leverage its learnings from deploying the Treatment Advice by Mobile Alerts (TAMA) MOTECH implementation in India.  TAMA supports HIV drug adherence by sending IVR reminders, providing relevant health tips and capturing self reported symptoms. Using these learnings and technical expertise Grameen Foundation will lead in the technology deployment within the EBODAC project.  At the same time, Grameen Foundation will advise and contribute in the wider design and deployment of the project.

MOTECH INFORMATION

MOTECH Suite is a set of complementary open source technologies, from a consortium of partners, that can serve the core needs of mHealth, mobile health programming. MOTECH Suite combines the integration capabilities of an ESB with a flexible open source application development framework that supports many standard mHealth use cases through its robust, scalable and interoperable core. The core consortium members are Grameen Foundation and Dimagi.  Grameen Foundation develops the MOTECH platform and Dimagi develops CommCare.  MOTECH platform is an extensible system that enables organizations to reach, communicate, and track clients while integrating with desired external systems. CommCare is a phone application that enables organizations to collect and send information to handheld devices.

JOB SUMMARY

The Regional TPM is responsible for two main workstreams:

Regional Stakeholder Management

•   Establish and maintain relationships with key local partners. These partners include project consortium members, Ministry of Health representatives, telecommunication companies, data centers, and relevant government Information Technology representatives.
•   Maintain a matrix of stakeholders, roles and key decisions to drive decision making and transparency.
•   Provide relevant updates and context for project status and donor reports.  EBOVAC requires monthly and quarterly updates.

Software Development

•   Oversee the software development lifecycle from the requirement gathering phase to deployment. The software development vendor will drive the daily management and the global MOTECH team will support throughout the project as well.
•   Manage the software development project plan and ensure all parties are updated on status.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

•   Oversee the design of the implementation with support of the software vendor. Includes facilitation of requirement gathering via workshops, meetings and conference calls.
•   Drive the completion of functional and technical documentation.  Either by coordinating with the vendor or writing and modifying technical and functional specifications as needed.
•   Manage software development schedules and deployment with the external software development vendor (SolDevelo based in Poland) and the MOTECH platform (based in Seattle).  Includes platform feature requests and tracking, problem solving and removing barriers as they arise.
•   Conduct testing along side of the software vendor to ensure quality of code.  May include walking local partners through the User Acceptance Testing or training staff on how to use the software.
•   Facilitate activities and resources needed for virtual and onsite deployment.  May include direct training or deployment activities.
•   Set up an appropriate support structure and strategy for both the RCT and launch phases.
•   and scaling for the implementation either directly or indirectly through vendors.
•   Develop strong relationships with key telecommunication companies, government officials, and local partner leads within the region to support the implementation.
•   Negotiate terms for SMS gateway and IVR services with local and aggregate telecommunication providers.
•   Coordinate with local third party partners and vendors, when necessary, to deliver an end-to-end MOTECH implementation.
•   Research and understand the mHealth landscape in the target countries to identify opportunities for integration and alignment.
•   Responsible for “wearing multiple hats” when necessary.  The Grameen Foundation EBOVAC team is small so each team member is expected to fulfill additional roles as needed for short periods.
•   Communicate project status, issues, updates, plans and relevant information to the Program Manager and broader EBOVAC team.

AVAILABILITY

The Regional Technical Project Manager will be expected to work a standard workweek of 40 hours plus additional hours as necessary to complete the tasks assigned. The position will be based in Accra, Ghana.  This position will need to be flexible to work in local conditions, and be available to work across different time zones.  This position will require travel (30% to 50%) within Western Africa and Europe.

Required Skills or Experience

•   Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission and the Mobile Health Innovation strategy.
•   Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects (operational and tactical) – with proven ability to work effectively with diverse partners
•   Experience managing outsourced software development efforts
•   Experience with software development with bespoke code applications,
•   Knowledge of Java and .NET programming and mySQL databases a strong plus
•   Knowledge of health systems in developing countries is a plus – as is experience in software product development
•   Fluency in oral and written English is required.  Fluency in French preferred.
•   Deep understanding of information and communication technology – preferably with practical experience in developing countries.
•   Enthusiasm for learning from different cultures – eager to build cultural realities into products and project plans
•   Equally comfortable presenting to a room of business executives and discussing needs with villagers sitting on the dirt floor of a rural home
•   Previous experience in Western Africa (and local language skills) preferred but not required
•   Strong, innovative and creative problem solver and strategic thinker
•   Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
•   An entrepreneurial spirit -- with the ability to think strategically and act tactically
•   Comfort with unstructured problems and ability to manage complexities under pressure
•   Ability to promote knowledge transfer through strong mentoring and team building skill

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science or related technical field;
•   5 years of managing development or delivering software or similar experience – ideally with a top consulting firm or technology company with a proven track record of achievement under a range of challenging situations (ideally in multiple countries).
•   Experience with IVR or SMS software preferred.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested applicants should submit the following documents in addition to a cover letter:

•   Detailed Curriculum Vitae stating current and latest posts (WITH DATES) as well as summary of job responsibilities.
•   Certified photocopies of relevant certificates of highest academic qualification.
•   Names, e-mail addresses and  telephone numbers of three (3) Referees (work-related).
•   Applications should reach the following address not later than January 26, 2015.

Mary Jo Kochendorfer:

mkochendorfer@grameenfoundation.org

INDICATE POSITION YOU ARE APPLYING FOR IN THE SUBJECT LINE.

Closing Date: 06 February, 2015