Regional Technical Hub Lead – Mekelle

Job Description

About FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.

The FHI-360 managed, USAID Healthy Behaviors (UHB) Activity, with its partners the Consortium of Action Aid Ethiopia; Zeleman Communications, Advertising, and Production; and Fraym, works to increase sustained adoption of appropriate health and nutrition behaviors in Ethiopia using evidence-based, theory-informed social and behavior change (SBC) strategies. It does so with the goal of contributing to reductions in unmet need for family planning (FP); reduced malaria-related morbidity and mortality, and its elimination; and improvements in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) outcomes. It also supports other priority health needs related to nutrition; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and emerging infectious diseases (EID), like COVID-19; and works to transform social and gender norms that impede healthy behaviors and drive poor health outcomes across health areas. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Regional Technical Hub Lead for Gambella region.

Job Family: Technical and Managerial

Duty station: Mekelle, Tigray region

Number required: 1

Job Summary:

The Regional Technical Hub Lead is under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Party, she or he is responsible for overseeing the overall management of the U-HB project activity at the regional level and zones in Tigray region. The Regional Tec Hub Lead serves as the official fhi360 representative in the region, will liaison with Tigray Regional Health Bureau, and implementing partners (IPs) in the region  provide technical support and backstopping, and closely follow up on the day-to-day project implementation Supervises technical staff members, ensuring that project activities are on track with work plans with technical expertise informing project implementation, and supports and/or leads the development of work plans (SBC, LME and the capacity strengthening plans) for district-level and regional initiatives, and prepares components for project and donor reports.

Accountabilities:

• Oversee planning: project monitoring, and management to ensure informed decision-making and timely implementation of project activities.
• Lead the development of annual and quarterly plans for regional projects
• Engage in active communication and collaboration with the Tigray Region Health Bureau, IPs, district health offices, and other relevant partners.
• Participate in and contribute to the regular SBC technical working group at the region levels and in similar forums
• Representing the project and attending different working group meetings
• Startup of activities in the region and monitor progress in project implementation using agreed upon M&E plans
• Conduct and oversee regular monitoring visits to ensure that sub grantees implementing partners operate in compliance with FHI360 and donor sub-grantee regulations.
• Monitor the timely submission of accurate financial and activity reports from the IPs/ the sub-grantees.
• Analyze and troubleshoot any challenges in project implementation
• Supervise, motivate, and guide Regional FHI 360 U-HB project staff.
• Support IPs to timely process their financial reports and settle their advance payments.
• Attend in person during any assessment field work time and provide technical support.
• Monitor sub-grantee progress against objectives, developing monitoring tools as needed.
• Lead regional SBC innovations and documentation in collaboration with Addis Ababa team
• Undertake other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Ensures appropriate and timely technical support for field projects.
• Ensures the quality of implemented technical activities and systems at all levels.
• Conducts routine coordination with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field.
• Strong knowledge and skills in a specific technical area/function and general understanding of concepts and principles of related technical areas/functions.
• Solid knowledge of standards for the technical area/field, operational processes and procedures, work, and task flow.
• Has the ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities.
• Proficient writing and verbal communication skills.
• Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office).
• Ability to manage their own work to job and performance standards.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English fluent in host country language.

Competencies:

There are 31 FHI 360 development competencies, of greatest focus for this particular job will be:

• Project Management (Planning and Time Management) – Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks (sets objectives/goals/measures). Breaks down work into steps, schedules, task/people assignments. Marshals people, time, and resources efficiently. Arranges information in a useful manner and orchestrates multiple activities at once.
• People Management (Making Others Great) – Facilitate professional development of staff by providing challenging, learning assignments and opportunities. Shares and solicits feedback monthly at the very least. Helps establish compelling development plans. Assigns responsibility and accountability for tasks/decisions. Monitors process, progress, and results. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.
• Creating and Managing Systems and Processes – Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization need in systems design. Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity.
• Employees are expected to possess or have high potential for the development of these three fundamental competencies.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Demonstrates the ability to assess needs within agreed upon duties and considers course of action best to meet those needs.
• Effectively applies knowledge of technical area to solve a range of problems.
• Demonstrates the ability to develop solutions to problems that cannot be solved using existing methods or approaches.
• Faulty decisions/ recommendations /failures to complete assignments will normally result in serious delays to assigned projects resulting in considerable expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds.
• Decisions and actions impact primarily workflow, project processes and timeframes.
• Problems encountered are varied, requiring review of practices and precedents to resolve.
• Problem solving involves evaluating and resolving discrepancies with data, analyses, processes, etc. within prescribed guidelines.
• Policies or guidelines exist for most problems; others must be referred to by a supervisor or more senior professional.

Supervision Given/Received:

• will supervise technical and operational staff.
• Coordinates own workflow and sets individual priorities.
• Works under general guidelines for completion and accuracy as determined by the supervisor.
• Accomplishes results through lower-level staff managers or through experienced staff who exercise independence in their assignments.
• May manage a centralized functional area of activity.
• Serves as mentor to more inexperienced technical staff.
• Typically reports to Deputy Chief of Party.

Education:

• Master’s degree in public health and another related field
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience:

• Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience in an international NGO in similar role.
• Working knowledge on SBC and experience working with the regional health bureau are added advantage.
• Functions as the technical lead with oversight of project technical administrative and finance
  compliance, technical deliverables, and team management, (includes projects and
  consultants).
•  Provides project staff with overall technical direction and guidance in line with the project expected outcomes.
• Good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff and other stakeholders.
• Experience facilitating sub-grants, including proposal review, agreement development, and monitoring.
• Works closely with the team to ensure project implementation remains technically sound and
  adheres to company strategy and standard operating procedures (SOP’s).
• Conducts analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose
  appropriate technical strategy and guidelines
• Monitors project deliverables and reports to supervisors.
• Leads technical project activities and sub activities and assists with project implementation.
• Project management experience is mandatory,
• Experience designing and implementing capacity building programs and SBC.
• Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing
  project implementation.
• Ensure smooth operations management such as oversees project spending and budget, donor reporting, and financial & Human resource matters.
• Oversees project timelines and budgets. Assists in the development of donor reports and
  presentations

Language Requirements

Candidate must have full professional proficiency (written and verbal) in English, Amharic and local language.

Personal specifications:

• Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and high workload.
• Ability to independently, organize work and prioritize tasks.
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.
• Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Familiar with the region culture and community contexts
• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with others.
• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.

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.

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:

• 10% – 25%

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment  process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.