Job Details

Senior Manager, Health Programs and Partnerships

Otro

Spanish, English. Portuguese is highly recommended.

Partnerships for Inclusive Health

Position Summary

Special Olympics Inc. (SOI) is international NGO serving over 6 million people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in 193 countries. Best known for its engagement around sports, SOI promotes a myriad of health services and activities and houses the largest global database of health screenings of people with intellectual disabilities. SOIs Health strategy is directed towards promoting equity and reducing health disparities for the 6 million athletes and 80 million people with ID around the world through four strategic activities: (1) Preventive care services, including early intervention for those under 8 years of age, fitness programs and public health promotion activities; (2) Assessment services, directed at preventive health screenings and early detection of the most common conditions for people with ID and developing person-centered care coordination and connections to reduce those conditions; (3) Training services, to engage the health care workforce using evidence-based learning activities that employ virtual and hands-on interactions to improve quality of care; and (4) Promoting health systems reform through partnerships with provider and government organizations and promoting strong self-advocacy.

The Senior Manager, Health Programs and Partnerships (Latin America), reporting to the Regional Senior Director, Health Programs is responsible for raising awareness among governments, the international development community and private sector about the critical need to provide quality health care for people with intellectual disabilities. The position is also responsible for mobilizing governments and the international development community to provide policy, funding and other support to ensure sustainable access to quality health care for people with intellectual disabilities. In addition, this role supports the Regional Senior Director and all Special Olympics Programs implementing health programming with technical assistance, strategic support, operations and grant management, project management and administrative functions.

Description:

The Senior Manager, Health Programs and Partnerships, will help Special Olympics become recognized within the international development, public health community and private sector as a key stakeholder in health promotion for people with intellectual disabilities. Importantly, this role supports and strengthens the health programming being implemented at a country level across the region, through strengthening partnerships, collaborating with Ministries of Health, providing technical assistance and soliciting support to sustain and grow health within the region. The position will have primary responsibility for the Latin America Region, but aligns with the global health strategy and extended team.

The key responsibilities of the Senior Manager, Health Programs andPartnerships are:

Health Programming Coordination and Execution:

• Work closely with health coordinators of SOLA Programs to define, align, identify and manage risks, ensuring strategies to avoid activities and delays of health grants with Special Olympics health programming in Latin America. Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope and on budget while maintaining high quality standards.

Strategic Partnerships and Alliances:

• Looking forward to identifying key partnerships, with different stakeholders, to ensure long-term collaboration and resources for health programming.
• Create tools, templates and mechanisms to support engagement with governments, international development community and other international stakeholders.
• Support the identification of technical relationship with and for the SOLA Programs to serve as partners to support the execution of health activities programming and outcomes.

Research, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E):

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive tracking system for health program initiatives across the region, to track the progress and impact of SOLA Programs.
• Secure and track resources inventory for SOLA Programs and region to better support Special Olympics health programming and health outcomes.
• Support National Programs in the preparation and submission of national health grant applications to SOI and other relevant external organizations (e.g., PAHO, local government).
• Coordinate, finalize, and submit regional health grant applications to SOI and other external partners.
• Facilitate the procurement and shipment of health program materials and equipment throughout the region.
• Oversee the allocation and management of SOLA health budgets, ensuring optimal resource use and financial accountability.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Support the professional development of health coordinators and health volunteer members through training, mentorship and opportunities for skill-building and ensure alignment with global health standards.
• Provide training and technical assistance to program health staff in operationalizing health priorities and growing partnerships that sustain and expand health efforts.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as the primary liaison between SOLA and National Programs for all communications related to health program initiatives, promoting effective communication to keep all relevant stakeholders informed of health initiatives to ensure an adequate program implementation, including regular updates on program progress, risk mitigation strategies and resource planning with SOLA Programs.

Program Impact and Resource Management:

• Conduct needs assessments for health programs, including identifying necessary resources (e.g., equipment, volunteers, national staff support).
• Develop and maintain a resource inventory to ensure that health initiatives are adequately supported and operational.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of health programs to ensure they meet set objectives, timelines, and quality standards.
• Identify and address operational needs related to Health Programs in the region, including the preparation of inventories for necessary resources such as equipment, volunteers and staff support.

Planning and Operational Strategy:

• Assist in planning and coordinating different health activities (HA, FHF, Fitness, etc) at a regional, national or local level, ensuring smooth execution.
• Work in conjunction with the regional Health Programs Director to supervise, monitor, and evaluate the operational plans for health programs at the regional level.
• Experience working with people with intellectual disabilities is an advantage.
• Additional language skills, especially Portuguese is highly recommended

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree and three years of experience in health promotion, public health, international development/relations or other health science discipline.
• 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in developing and managing international development programs with national governments, UN agencies and other international development or health agencies ideally with a focus on improving health outcomes in developing countries.
• Knowledge of and professional experience of health promotion including an understanding of the main health systems challenges in a resource poor setting.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish, including a demonstrated ability to build and maintain networks, provide advice and communicate effectively with a culturally and professionally diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in the Latin America region.
• Experience working with people with intellectual disabilities is an advantage.
• Additional language skills, especially Portuguese is highly recommended