Job Description

Role: Program Manager

Overview

We’re looking for a great program manager to drive forward our work in Madagascar. In this role we offer you the chance to make a real difference in the world of international development – in a fun, open, and collaborative working environment.

What’s the cause?

Obstetric fistula is a childbirth injury that results from obstructed labor. Obstetric fistula affects one million women in Africa and South Asia, and persists because women have no access to safe prenatal, obstetric care. It’s a significant indicator of gender inequality, and we want to put an end to it.

Days of unrelieved labor create compression, cutting off blood supply to the baby, and to the mother’s internal soft tissue, causing both to die. The dead tissue results in holes (fistula) in the walls separating the woman’s reproductive and excretory systems.

Not only does the woman have to experience the unimaginable pain of giving birth to her still born child, but following the birth, she finds that she has been rendered incontinent. She is left ashamed, and ostracized, abandoned because of a never-ending flow of waste that will destroy her life. In short, obstetric fistula is the worst thing you’ve never heard of.

How does Operation Fistula help?

Operation Fistula exists to end obstetric fistula. We’ve pioneered an innovative funding model that’s proven fistula surgery to be as cost-effective as vaccines. To take this funding model to scale, we’ve developed a tablet-based system that brings cutting edge business intelligence tools to frontline health workers. In the last year, we’ve grown from two full-time staff to eight. We’re working directly with the government of Madagascar on a plan to end fistula across the whole country.

Now, more than ever, we need a Program Manager to help us move into the next phase of growth. This is a unique opportunity to have a major positive impact on the lives of thousands of vulnerable and marginalised women around the world.

Where do you come in?

You’ll work closely with our CEO and Operations Director to finalize the design of the “patient journey,” and ensure its effective implementation in Madagascar. Further to this, you’ll also work with the Communications Director to ensure prompt, accurate, and effective reporting of our international projects to donors and stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities?

• Develop and execute the vision for Operation Fistula’s global programs, working collaboratively with partner agencies and stakeholders to deliver on project objectives.

• Ensure expectations relating to grant and donor reporting processes are being met, if not exceeded.

• Collaborate with the Analytics Team to define indicators and scrutinise the data collected, in order to evaluate the impact of our interventions.  

• Sustain effective program management throughout the year including project planning and timeline development, assisting with and preparing for country visits, as well as coordinating and planning stakeholder meetings, and the development of final reports.

Ideally you’ll have the following experience and skillset

Essential:

• At least 2 years of experience in managing relevant projects.

• Solid experience of working, supporting or implementing health programs in challenging or low resource contexts.

• A healthy obsession with organization, project planning, and execution.

• Be an outstanding problem solver with an ability to proactively identify barriers to success.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – good in small teams.

• A solid understanding of technology and data analysis.

• Fluency in French

Desirable:

• Fluency in Malagasy

The Head Office is based a short walk from Clapham Junction station in South London. You’d join us here for your onboarding, as well as a couple of weeks a quarter (at least), to stay in touch with the team. The rest of the time you'll be based in the outstandingly beautiful Madagascar, working hard to establish projects in Sambava and Ifanadiana.

The nuts and bolts

• £27 - 35k pa

• 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays)

• flexible working environment

• ample opportunity for professional development, including training in Tableau and studying for PMP accreditation

• Global travel, with the chance to present your work at international conferences

What next?

Please send your cover letter and resume to us by Sunday 21st April. We look forward to hearing from you!