Deputy Chief of Party, Uganda

ThinkWell is recruiting a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)/Technical Director to serve as the day-to-day counterpart to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance for a payment verification activity, ensuring transition milestones are met. The DCOP will supervise a team of up to five advisors, plus consultants. They bring substantial financial, technical, and managerial expertise, preferably Uganda G2G experience, and in-depth knowledge of health systems strengthening.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manager, enthusiastic to shape the growth of a cutting-edge enterprise. S/he has sophisticated political skills to navigate the complex environment in Uganda. S/he is prepared to work independently and as part of a small, high-level, distributed team. Clear, open, and frank communication is a priority, as is building a collaborative working environment with the wider ThinkWell team.

The DCOP reports to the COP.

Please note: Ugandan nationals are encouraged to apply. This position includes a national benefits package and does not include international relocation or expatriate benefits. This position is contingent upon funding.

What you’ll do

Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Lead stakeholder engagement with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance, and other relevant ministries.

• Lead work-planning and reporting requirements.

• Provide direct technical assistance in one or more of the following: strategic purchasing, public financial management, PFM reforms, financial management information systems, Ensure production of high-quality outputs. Provide written input into technical documents, project status reports, blogs and articles for publication and dissemination on ThinkWell’s website, external sites, and at conferences.

• Oversee G2G financing risk management, ensuring entity risk profiles are routinely updated using milestone verification, DQAs, government systems, and RMP progress.

• Identify and escalate emerging risks, directing additional assessment or field verification to higher-risk, unusual, or contested areas.

• Strengthen government ownership and capacity to maintain risk profiles, track corrective actions, and routinely use risk information to inform financing and management decisions.

• Oversee the tracking of annual government co-investment commitments and expenditures, ensuring agreed commitments translate into actual investments in priority health areas.

• Communicate with other ThinkWell managers globally to build, share, exchange, and disseminate technical knowledge.

• Oversee and supervise technical team members, including up to 5 direct reports and consultants.

• Oversee the technical team on the clinical/service delivery, health-information and data-quality domains

• Provides quality oversight, review, and verification of data across DHIS2/HMIS/registers

Team Management

• Onboard and lead outstanding team members within technical scope

• Lead by example, delegate effectively, demonstrate integrity, motivate and inspire others

• Create a positive, respectful country team operating culture and environment, and engage respectfully with employees at all levels across the firm.

External Representation

• Represent Thinkwell, consult and coordinate with key stakeholders within government, donors, and other entities to build ThinkWell program and reputation

• Represent ThinkWell in-country and be the focal point with all local, external clients, partners, donors, etc.

• Ensure timely delivery of quality products. Maintain outstanding levels of client satisfaction

we are:

ThinkWell core values are our fundamental organizational guiding principles. They define our corporate culture, influence our behavior at work and help us achieve our mission. Our values are:

• Think big

• Influence the conversation

• Empower others

• Be exceptional

• Always question

• Relate authentically

• Evolve by learning

you are:

ThinkWell core competencies are foundational skills and behaviors that align with our values and are expected of all employees.

• An entrepreneurial, results-oriented ‘do-er’ with a willingness to take risk, think big and challenge conventional wisdom.

• A change maker who reaches independent judgement with an open mind, influences the conversation, and seeks innovation.

• Able to help create an empowering environment in which everyone feels free to take initiative, be accountable and fail intelligently (learn from mistakes).

• A collaborative colleague who engages constructively with people from different cultures, orientations, and perspectives and maintains positive relations in a virtual world.

• Principally motivated by a growth mindset, meaning the pursuit of knowledge, experience, and self-improvement. You always question and continuously learn.

• Authentic, honest, direct, self-aware and open to giving and receiving feedback.

Requirements

1. Masters in relevant degree, 12+ years’ experience or PhD with 8+ years’ experience;

2. Substantive, relevant work experience in one of ThinkWell’s core technical areas including public financial management, country financial management reform, financial management information systems strengthening (health system strengthening expertise a plus);

3. Deep understanding of financial management, including the Ministry of Finance’s financial management information systems (IFMIS).

4. Demonstrated experience, working relationships, and deep understanding of the Uganda Ministry of Finance financial systems and reforms, with experience collaborating or working closely with Ministry of Finance team members.

5. Extensive experience managing teams for large, complex projects in Uganda;

6. Demonstrated team and people management abilities with a focus on growing staff, mentoring and coaching junior professionals;

7. A senior leader, able to rally staff around ThinkWell’s mission and priorities;

8. Proven track record in budgeting and financial management;

9. Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with external strategic partners, donors, government ministries and stakeholders;

10. Full written and verbal fluency in English;

11. Outstanding cross-cultural communication skills, including the ability to relate respectfully with staff at all levels, ages, genders, nationalities and orientations as well as across work areas;

12. Ability and willingness to travel in-country and internationally up to 25%. The incumbent will be expected to travel within Uganda and periodically outside of Uganda to attend ThinkWell meetings.