Senior Manager, Health Programs And Partnerships

Position Title: Senior Manager, Health Programs and Partnerships
Location: Panama Office
Department: Special Olympics Latin America
Reports to: Regional Senior Director, Health Programs

Organization Overview:

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org. 

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager, Health Programs and Partnerships (Latin America), reporting to the Regional Senior
Director, Health Programs is responsible for raising awareness among governments, the international
development community and private sector about the critical need to provide quality health care for
people with intellectual disabilities. The position is also responsible for mobilizing governments and the
international development community to provide policy, funding and other support to ensure sustainable
access to quality health care for people with intellectual disabilities. In addition, this role supports the
Regional Senior Director and all Special Olympics Programs implementing health programming with
technical assistance, strategic support, operations and grant management, project management and
administrative functions.

Description:

The Senior Manager, Health Programs and Partnerships, will help Special Olympics become recognized
within the international development, public health community and private sector as a key stakeholder in
health promotion for people with intellectual disabilities. Importantly, this role supports and strengthens
the health programming being implemented at a country level across the region, through strengthening
partnerships, collaborating with Ministries of Health, providing technical assistance and soliciting support
to sustain and grow health within the region. The position will have primary responsibility for the Latin
America Region, but aligns with the global health strategy and extended team.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Work closely with health coordinators of SOLA Programs to define, align, identify and
  manage risks, ensuring strategies to avoid activities and delays of health grants with
  Special Olympics health programming in Latin America. Ensuring that projects are
  delivered on time, within scope and on budget while maintaining high quality
  standards.
• Looking forward to identifying key partnerships, with different stakeholders, to ensure
  long-term collaboration and resources for health programming.
• Create tools, templates and mechanisms to support engagement with governments,
  international development community and other international stakeholders.
• Support the identification of technical relationship with and for the SOLA Programs to
  serve as partners to support the execution of health activities programming and
  outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive tracking system for health
  program initiatives across the region, to track the progress and impact of SOLA
  Programs.
• Secure and track resources inventory for SOLA Programs and region to better support
  Special Olympics health programming and health outcomes.
• Support National Programs in the preparation and submission of national health grant
  applications to SOI and other relevant external organizations (e.g., PAHO, local
  government).
• Coordinate, finalize, and submit regional health grant applications to SOI and other
  external partners.
• Facilitate the procurement and shipment of health program materials and equipment
  throughout the region.
• Oversee the allocation and management of SOLA health budgets, ensuring optimal
  resource use and financial accountability.
• Support the professional development of health coordinators and health volunteer
  members through training, mentorship and opportunities for skill-building and ensure
  alignment with global health standards.
• Provide training and technical assistance to program health staff in operationalizing
  health priorities and growing partnerships that sustain and expand health efforts.
• Serve as the primary liaison between SOLA and National Programs for all
  communications related to health program initiatives, promoting effective
  communication to keep all relevant stakeholders informed of health initiatives to
  ensure an adequate program implementation, including regular updates on program
  progress, risk mitigation strategies and resource planning with SOLA Programs.
• Conduct needs assessments for health programs, including identifying necessary
  resources (e.g., equipment, volunteers, national staff support).
• Develop and maintain a resource inventory to ensure that health initiatives are
  adequately supported and operational.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of health programs to ensure they meet set
  objectives, timelines, and quality standards.
• Identify and address operational needs related to Health Programs in the region,
  including the preparation of inventories for necessary resources such as equipment,
  volunteers and staff support.
• Assist in planning and coordinating different health activities (HA, FHF, Fitness, etc) at a
  regional, national or local level, ensuring smooth execution.
• Work in conjunction with the regional Health Programs Director to supervise, monitor,
  and evaluate the operational plans for health programs at the regional level.
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in health promotion, public health, international
development/relations or other health science discipline.

• 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in developing and managing international development
programs with national governments, UN agencies and other international development or health
agencies ideally with a focus on improving health outcomes in developing countries.

• Knowledge of and professional experience of health promotion including an understanding of the
main health systems challenges in a resource poor setting.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish, including a demonstrated
ability to build and maintain networks, provide advice and communicate effectively with a
culturally and professionally diverse range of stakeholders.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.

• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently with minimal
supervision.

• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in the Latin America region.

Desirable:
• Experience working with people with intellectual disabilities is an advantage.
• Additional language skills, especially Portuguese is highly recommended

Special Olympics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

**Special Olympics is an E-Verify Employer**