Director: Programmes and Operations - Marie Stopes Ghana

Established in 2006, MSI Ghana is an affiliate of MSI Reproductive Choices and is one of the largest specialized Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) organisations in Ghana. MSI Ghana complements the Ministry of Health and Child Care in the provision of quality and affordable general health and SRH services in all regions of Ghana.

Job Description

The Director for Programmes and Operations is the overall head of the Regional Operations Team. He/she is responsible for providing strategic direction and operational effectiveness in relation to MSIG’s field operations, delivered through its team bases in (currently) four regional hubs, headed by regional managers. S/he will additionally provide strategic direction for three of MSIG’s delivery channels – Centres, Private Sector Networks, and Public Sector Strengthening Support – which is a separate unit in this Directorate.

This directorate will also house the Marketing unit, and Youth and Advocacy. The incumbent will also be responsible for all donor relations that will identify and secure funding contracts, ensure project life cycle reporting is delivered to the highest standards.

Key Responsibilities

Departmental Leadership

• Provide leadership and guidance to the Directorate, motivate and coach departmental staff, and ensure accountability and professionalism.
• Set and review KPIs for the department and direct reports, ensuring regular monitoring and adherence to MSIG HR policies.
• Ensure succession planning and foster cooperation with other departments.
• Develop tracking systems (e.g., dashboards) to monitor performance and inform decisions.
• Manage recruitment, motivation, and professional development of staff in collaboration with HR.
• Ensure the departmental structure meets MSIG’s needs and that budgets are accurate, well-monitored, and compliant with MSIG financial requirements.

Business Development, Planning and Project Execution

• Maintain high service standards for donors, stakeholders, and partners while strengthening NGO and private-sector partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Country Director to identify funding opportunities and develop high- quality proposals.
• Ensure regional business development strategies focus on sustainability, efficiency, and access to family planning and SRH services.
• Achieve Business Plan targets and objectives across all delivery channels (e.g., Centres of Excellence, Private Sector Networks, Public Sector Strengthening, and social marketing).
• Ensure robust performance management and effective communication between support and regional offices.
• Develop a clear annual implementation plan in consultation with Regional Managers and technical leads from the Accra support office.

Quality Standards and Client Care

• Ensure high quality standards are maintained and high levels client satisfaction achieved across all service delivery channels.
• Working closely with Medical Development and M&E teams, ensure recommendations from internal and external QTAs as well as mystery client visits are implemented by Regional Managers swiftly and effectively.
• Investigate client complaints and take remedial action where necessary.
• Ensure clinical initiatives by the Medical Development Team are effectively introduced in delivery channels and ensure regular, effective supervision by Team leaders, Centre Managers and Regional Managers to achieve adherence to MSI and MSIG protocols.
• Conduct regular governance visits across all delivery channels.

Team Leadership & Development

• Motivate and coach direct reports, setting and reviewing KPIs.
• Promote a client-focused culture that values evidence-based decision-making, diversity, and innovation.
• Use performance management tools to encourage productivity and evidence-based decisions.
• Directly manage and supervise Regional Managers, Channel Leads, and other key personnel.

Operational Efficiency & Collaboration

• Ensure operational efficiency across delivery channels with clear systems to manage clients, income, stock, and assets.
• Conduct regular supervisory visits and ensure fraud risks are mitigated.
• Ensure regional teams comply with all reporting and organizational policies.
• Work closely with Marketing, Medical Development, Finance, and HR teams to enhance productivity and performance.
• Foster strong relationships with donors, government entities, and project partners.
• Support external engagements and identify new business opportunities.
• Support positive engagement with external stakeholders and ensure effective MSIG representation at Regional and National level with Government, donors, project partners and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Country Director to identify and respond to new business development opportunities – both donor and corporate.
• Ensure Regional Managers are fostering strong community relations and maintain good relationships with important community leaders.

External Relations and Fundraising

• Develop strong relationships with stakeholders, including donors, Ghana Health Service, and partner NGOs.
• Lead donor communications, prepare for meetings, and represent MSIG at conferences and events.
• Enhance MSIG’s visibility through strategic engagements and partnerships.
• Work closely with the Country Director, SMT, and Regional Managers to identify opportunities and raise new donor funds.
• Lead or co-lead the development of high-quality proposals
• Network and establish constructive and positive relationships with strategic decision makers and institutions focusing on senior donor, government, multilateral and NGO representatives.
• Serve as a spokesperson for MSIG at conferences, presentations, panel discussions, press conferences, committees, working groups and other meetings.

Quality Project Life Cycle Management

• Ensure high service standards for donors, stakeholders, and beneficiaries.
• Develop comprehensive implementation plans, ensuring engagement from internal stakeholders.
• Monitor project budgets, ensure compliance with donor requirements, and deliver timely reports.
• Lead discussions on project financial reports and maintain the country funding pipeline.
• Work through implementers to ensure that all project milestones and deliverables are met; troubleshoot; communicate instances of under-achievement appropriately and in good time to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support Grant Accountant (GA) to monitor project budgets (local and donor currency) to ensure budgets are followed and maximized for MSIG’s benefit; support GA to conduct project re-forecasting / no-cost extensions/realignments when necessary. Strengthen and improve cross-team collaboration and spending per budget.
• Lead in the monthly discussions on Projects' Financial Reports together with the Grants Accountant.
• Fully own and regularly update the country's funding pipeline of secured and unsecured funding.
• Perform all other duties set out in the job description

Required Skills or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in health, demography, public health, or social sciences (post-graduate qualification desired).
• Additional qualifications in business, marketing, or finance are an advantage.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience, with 5+ years in senior management.
• Proven leadership, team management, and performance monitoring skills.
• Experience in budget management, donor relations, and working with NGOs and government partners.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and commitment to MSIG’s goals.
• Hard-working, results-oriented, and able to work independently.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a customer-focused approach.
• Passionate about fieldwork and pro-choice family planning.
• Willingness to travel extensively
• Passionate about fieldwork
• Pro-family planning and pro-choice