Project & Strategic Partnerships Manager

Keep a Child Alive is a nonprofit organization working to improve access to care and support for children and communities affected by HIV and other critical health challenges. The Project & Strategic Partnerships Manager will lead neonatal care program implementation across Africa, managing projects, strategic partnerships, government engagement, program growth, and cross-functional coordination.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation and coordination of KCA’s priority projects and initiatives
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones and deliverables
• Track implementation progress across projects and ensure timely follow-up
• Coordinate multiple stakeholders to keep projects aligned and progressing
• Monitor project risks, challenges, dependencies and delays and ensure appropriate escalation
• Maintain clear documentation and visibility across active projects
• Support project reviews, evaluations and reporting
• Coordinate field visits and project monitoring activities
• Ensure implementation remains aligned with agreed objectives, timelines and resources
• Build and maintain strong relationships with KCA’s local implementation partners and institutional collaborators
• Serve as a key point of contact for partnership coordination and program implementation
• Coordinate regular partner meetings, updates and follow-up
• Ensure expectations, responsibilities, milestones and deliverables are clearly understood across partners
• Support the development of new strategic partnerships aligned with KCA’s mission and program priorities
• Identify opportunities to strengthen existing partnerships and develop longer-term collaboration
• Participate in relevant steering committees and partnership working groups
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant government ministries, agencies and institutional stakeholders
• Represent KCA in relevant program, health-sector and partnership discussions
• Support government engagement required for program implementation and expansion
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with government stakeholders
• Help position KCA’s programs in alignment with relevant national and regional health priorities
• Coordinate with partners and internal leadership to ensure consistent engagement with government stakeholders
• Support the development and expansion of KCA’s neonatal care programs
• Identify opportunities for new projects, facilities, partnerships and geographic expansion
• Assess potential opportunities from a programmatic and implementation perspective
• Contribute to concept notes, proposals, partnership documents and project plans
• Support the transition of new opportunities from partnership development into implementation
• Work with leadership to develop sustainable approaches to program growth
• Providing accurate and timely program information for fundraising and grant proposals
• Supporting donor reporting and partner updates
• Working with Brand & Communications to translate program progress and impact into stories and communications
• Providing program input for campaigns, fundraising initiatives and external communications
• Supporting Team KCA initiatives where program engagement or fundraising opportunities require program input
• Ensuring key project milestones and impact information are communicated internally
• Represent KCA professionally with partners, governments, institutions and other external stakeholders
• Participate in conferences, meetings, field visits and relevant external events
• Build KCA’s credibility and visibility within relevant health and development networks
• Maintain a strong understanding of the operating environments in which KCA’s programs are implemented

Requirements:

• 5+ years of relevant experience in program management, project management, international development, public health, partnerships or a related field
• Proven experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Experience working with local partners and/or international organizations
• Experience developing and managing institutional or government relationships
• Strong understanding of project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting
• Experience working across different countries and cultural environments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational and stakeholder-management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving and follow-up skills
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects from planning through implementation
• Project Management. Strong ability to plan, organize, track and deliver complex projects
• Partnership Management . Ability to build trusted relationships and manage diverse stakeholders toward shared objectives
• Government Relations. Confidence engaging with government and institutional stakeholders in a professional and strategic manner
• Strategic Thinking. Ability to understand the wider organizational objectives while maintaining focus on implementation
• Execution & Accountability. Strong follow-through, ownership and ability to ensure that agreed actions move forward
• Communication . Clear, concise and culturally sensitive communication with internal and external stakeholders
• Adaptability . Comfort working in a dynamic, international environment where priorities can evolve quickly
• Experience working in Africa
• Experience with maternal, newborn or child health
• Experience working with Ministries of Health or other government institutions
• Experience within an NGO, nonprofit or international development organization
• Experience managing health infrastructure or facility-development projects
• Experience working across public, private and nonprofit sectors
• Fluency in English; additional languages relevant to KCA's countries of operation are an advantage