Project Director (STRIDES)

Job Description

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in a long-lasting way by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries including Ethiopia and all U.S. states and territories.

Job Summary:

The Project Director will lead and direct implementation of the Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity in Ethiopia to enhance Polio Eradication and related Global Health Security (GHS) priorities aimed at strengthening capacity across laboratory and surveillance systems to prevent, detect, and rapidly and effectively respond to emerging infectious diseases and other public health threats. S/He will fulfill the diverse managerial requirements of the STRIDES project and have technical and management responsibility for all activities, personnel, and budget/spending.

S/He will serve as the Activity’s primary liaison with the United States Department of State Missions in country, the Federal Republic of Ethiopia government representatives and other polio eradication implementing partners working in country. The Project Director will lead the development and implementation of annual work plans and monitor implementation from project initiation through close out. The Project Director will provide oversight for the technical and financial reporting, and other administrative elements of the project. S/He will organize project activities and ensure completion of the project on schedule and within budget constraints.

Accountabilities:

• Responsible for creating, promoting, and maintaining safe and equitable work environments for all personnel, including a harassment- and violence-free work culture, and systems for safeguarding project participants.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates activities for STRIDES project to ensure that goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
• Establishes work plans, project teams, MOU’s, and SOPs to meet project goals and ensure compliance with policies.
• Directly manages technical, program, finance, and operational staff responsible for all aspects of the STRIDES project.
• Reviews project proposals and plans to determine scheduling, budget, procedures, staffing, and allotment of resources needed for projects.
• Manages in-country relationships with national, regional, and local government counterparts and multisectoral partners and identifies technical assistance needed to fulfill polio eradication and global health security objectives and targets.
• Serves as the primary point of contact and collaboration for the team and in-country stakeholders, including US Department of State Missions in country, implementation partners, government partners, Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners and other key stakeholders.
• Leads in-country team and liaises with STRIDES leadership at the global level to define, develop, implement, monitor and adjust technical work plans, budgets, presentations, and reports.
• Provides guidance and training to managers and staff to achieve project goals.
• Provides leadership to the project team, ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, and encouraging effective teamwork.
• Serves as the technical lead and provides technical oversight and direction for the STRIDES project to ensure technical objectives are met.
• Ensure that the project technical deliverables meet or exceed quality standards.
• Responsible for onboarding project staff and ensuring their familiarity with organizational and project mandate, values, quality standards, policies and objectives and their individual responsibilities in upholding these standards and policies.
• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.
• Ensure on-time delivery of high-quality deliverables and reports.
• Ensures financial and contractual compliance with FHI 360 and donor rules and regulations.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices with project management, process development, and execution. Familiarity with international polio eradication, particularly in relation to DoS Programs and priorities, is highly preferred. Experience in Global Health Security frameworks and initiatives a plus.
• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills, including leadership to develop annual work plans and deliverables to DoS while overseeing the Activity’s monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure achievement of Activity goals and objectives.
• Articulate, professional, and diplomatic with the ability to communicate clearly with staff, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong influencing, negotiation skills, and collaboration skills.
• Prior experience leading projects and managing relationships with United States government, host country government, key stakeholders, and other implementing partners in country is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership skills managing staff within a matrixed organization.
• Strong consultative skills, and ability to motivate, influence, and collaborate with others.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.
• Ability to build positive local working relationships with local communities, government officials, and donor representatives.
• Prior experience working in an international non-governmental organization (INGO) is a plus.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Decisions and actions have a significant impact on management and division operations.
• Problems encountered are complex and highly varied; decisions and actions have a significant impact on management and division operations.
• Exercises judgment to meet business strategies and develops objectives that align with organizational goals.
• Quickly identifies and notifies management of potential issues during implementation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Sets goals, budgets for projects, and leads department in achieving strategic goals.
• Leads coordination of resources for ongoing projects across business units and addresses/resolves project issues.
• Typically reports to STRIDES Project Manager.

Education: **

• Bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent in public health or other health-related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Project Management Certification an advantage.

Experience: **

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience, including 5 years of line management experience with progressively increasing responsibility, designing, implementing, managing, and leading large development programs involving multiple partners, stakeholders, and geographic target areas in a developing country; preference for experience managing USG-funded programs.
• Proficient with applicable Department of STATE rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Strong financial management skills and familiarity with tools and systems for effective financial management, operations, and compliance with award terms and conditions, donor rules and regulations, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and experience working on polio eradication or related activities required; experience working across Global Health Security sectors (human, animal, and environmental health) desirable.
• Demonstrated strategic planning, staff development, mentoring and capacity building experience of team and partners.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex, multidisciplinary projects that are strategic in nature and national/international in scope.
• Proficiency in English language (read, write, and speak).
• Proficiency in Amharic language (read, write, and speak).
• Experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO) is preferred.
• Prior experience managing a USG contract is an added advantage.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel 10% – 25%

 

The expected hiring salary range for this role is indexed at USD 50,000 – 65,000 annually for basic salary. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay,  and budget.