Delivery Advisor

Focus of the Role

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere. 

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference. 

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

The Regional Center for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC) is a Specialized Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agency under the supervision of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and responsible for coordinating and responding to public health events and emergencies in the region.

TBI’s Health Institutional Capacity Strengthening (HICS) Program is supporting RCSDC to strengthen its institutional capacity to respond to routine public health emergencies and pandemics. This work will be focused on improving the capacity of RCSDC and its staff to deliver on their mandates and duties. In the first phase, the team to support the leadership to fully set up this semi-autonomous agency and provide advisory to leadership on organisation set-up, delivery structures, strategy and partnerships.

The RCSDC Delivery Advisor will provide technical and strategic advice to RCSDC leadership, support the institutionalisation a delivery culture and support RCSDC’s engagement with key stakeholders across the region.

This is a six-month fixed-term role, which will be based in Abuja, Nigeria, embedded at RCSDC headquarters.  The postholder may be required to travel to different locations within West Africa.

Key Responsibilities

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The key responsibilities of the role include:

Delivery and capacity building

• Support the WAHO ICS Programme Lead, ED of RCSDC and leadership team in developing and implementing politically savvy strategies.
• Provide high-impact advisory support to the RCSDC leadership and key colleagues to ensure delivery of key initiatives, projects and strategies and ensure impact (e.g., strategy support, institutionalising delivery structures, the application of delivery tools and frameworks for e.g., planning, problem solving and performance management, quality assurance, running workshops and sessions, short-term advisory, implementation evaluation, analysis, etc.)
• Provide institutional capacity-building support including ensuring that the institution has the skilled staff and level of resources it needs to effectively deliver its services, supporting them through coaching and on-the-job mentoring and in building agency, allowing for constructive challenge
• Work with the WAHO ICS Programme Lead and colleagues to ensure that the organisation has the systems for effective implementation and operational delivery of its mandate.
• Provide advisory support to RCSDC to efficiently and effectively deliver technical services and support that meet the needs of ECOWAS Member States and populations and support global public health systems.
• Develop relevant models/frameworks to support the delivery of the Programme
• Support the development of systems and structures to embed a delivery culture within RCSDC.

Stakeholder management

• Develop strong trusted working relationships with counterparts at RCSDC, engage with key internal and external stakeholders to implement agreed strategies and interventions.
• Collaborate closely and regularly with relevant stakeholders to align on key decisions, iterate on solutions and find alternatives as required.

Thought leadership

• Support a robust and targeted thought leadership and policy-influencing agenda.
• Support RCSDC to provide trusted information and thought leadership aligned to the needs of ECOWAS Member States, populations, and global health systems.

Contribution to TBI

• Contribute to wider TBI agenda and other activities as required by the WAHO Programme Lead

Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Person Specification

We are looking for individuals with extensive experience in public service delivery and strategy implementation, high levels of enthusiasm, drive, resilience, a can-do attitude and ability to consistently achieve results in a challenging environment. This is a role in a fast-paced team, working within complex policy areas that are highly scrutinised.

Therefore, the successful candidate for the role should be able to display the majority of the following:

• Substantial experience in government, government advisory, policy delivery, management consulting or other organisational leadership
• Experience in the application of delivery tools and frameworks, such as Problem Driven Iterative Adaption, Agile, problem-solving tools and diagnostics, and performance management processes.
• An ability to think strategically and translate strategies to concrete and implementable plans; with experience in implementing international development programmes
• Evidence of strong relationship management with a wide range of senior stakeholders, business acumen, negotiation skills, going the extra mile and collaboration
• An ability to deliver results in complex and challenging environments, along with an ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment
• A strong team player with excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills
• An ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
• An acute attention to detail with excellent organisational skills
• Highly developed analytical skills, communication, drafting and presentation skills
• Relevant experience in public health is desirable
• A strong sense of ethics, discretion and perseverance required
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is essential; good working knowledge and experience of the West Africa sub-region are desirable
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in at least two of the official languages for ECOWAS is desirable.
• Willingness to travel extensively, sometimes at short notice. Willingness to travel to Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso for 1 week every 1 to 2 months.

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