Technical Director

FHI 360 seeks a qualified candidate for the position of USAID-Funded Global Health Program Evaluation Analysis Research and Learning (GH-PEARL) Technical Director. Through GH-PEARL USAID aims to provide global technical leadership using a broad range of cutting-edge activities in monitoring evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) combined with knowledge management and knowledge translation. GH-PEARL activities will be conducted in support of USAID efforts to reduce preventable maternal, newborn, and child mortality; advance primary health care; improve coverage and equity of family planning (FP), reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health, and nutrition (RMNCH+N) service delivery; and address emerging challenges including pandemics and climate change. GH-PEARL will also directly support efforts to strengthen the capacity of government entities, local organizations and institutions to engage in MERL activities.

Availability of position is contingent upon award to FHI 360 and donor approval of key personnel.

Job Summary:

The GH-PEARL Technical Director will provide technical leadership and oversight to the MERL activities conducted under the project, including FP/RMNCH FP monitoring, evaluation, research; capacity building of local entities to conduct MERL activities; data use to inform program design and refinement; and development and use metrics, measurement, and methods to achieve program results. She/he will oversee the GH-PEARL MERL activities working with a range of stakeholders including USAID, local entities, consortium partners, and team members. The Technical Director must be able to act or represent the Project Director, as necessary, and ensure high-quality technical products. The Technical Director may lead on individual MERL activities, commensurate with work experience and technical skills.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as the technical lead and key point of contact for the prime implementing organization on a large project.
• Leads the technical operational and tactical activities for the project.
• Ensures high quality technical deliverables—including workplans and annual reports—are developed, submitted and approved on schedule and within budget parameters.
• Develops and implements processes and procedures to achieve strategic technical goals of the project.
• Provides direction to ensure technical activities are compliant with client agreements, government regulations and the organization’s policies and procedures.
• Responds to client requests and questions on technical matters and ensures timely drafts and submissions of consents, approvals and/or waivers.
• Manages the monitoring and evaluation activities of a project including contributing to the finalization and submission of project work plans, performance monitoring plans (PMPs) and quarterly, annual, and other reports.
• Manages the relationship with all subcontracted organizations on a project on technical matters.
• Promotes project success by collecting, writing, and distributing success stories, case studies, photos, and outreach at events.
• Attends informative events related to the subject matter or region of a project to network and learn information that could be valuable to project activities.
• Supports knowledge management within the project, including the capture and articulation of success stories, best practice and lessons learned.
• Directs and guides managers, and staff with training and developing process improvement initiatives to ensure compliance with company and government standards.
• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports,
• Provides technical thought leadership and is responsible for the development of high-quality technical MERL activities and products.
• Works with the Project Director and Deputy Project Director to prepare project deliverables, including annual work-plans and project activity updates, and other project-related communication and reporting materials in accordance with USAID requests and deadlines.
• Oversees a team of senior technical staff (researchers, monitoring and evaluation specialists, capacity building technical advisors, costing specialists, and knowledge management and knowledge translation technical advisors) to develop, plan, and implement, program activities; ensuring clarity in program plans and priorities; and develops approaches to ensure effective teamwork.
• Works closely with the Finance Director to ensure project activities are budgeted appropriately and costs are routinely monitored and contained.
• Interacts with internal and external stakeholders to communicate project accomplishments.
• Represents the project at regional, national, and international fora, including technical and investment conferences, policy briefings, networking events, among others.
• 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.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Must have technical expertise in at least one or more of the GH-PEARL focus technical areas including real time measurement of results; innovative metrics and measurement; strengthening the quality and use of FP/RMNCH+N elements in health information systems; improvements in data quality, analysis, and visualization; and site monitoring and research, including rigorous evaluations, impact and developmental evaluations, and costing analysis; and local capacity building to carry our MERL activities.
• Strong content expertise in FP/RMNCH.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing MERL activities that have resulted in the production of high-quality technical products including technical reports, policy documents and/or peer reviewed manuscripts.
• Recent experience with providing countries with high-quality and actionable evidence to assess program effectiveness, identify and overcome barriers to program implementation, and guide decision-making.
• Demonstrated understanding of evidence-based program scale-up and sustainability.
• Direct line management of technical staff.
• Excellent leadership and adaptive management skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to motivate, influence, and collaborate with others.
• Experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO).
• Proficient with applicable USAID and United States Government rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and NGOs.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Typically provides direct supervision of a team of Technical Advisors and Technical Officers.
• Typically reports to a Project, Director.

Education:

• Master’s Degree
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience:

• Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of relevant MERL technical areas particularly in FP/RMNCH).
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO) is preferred.

Typical Physical Demands:

• 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:

• Less than 25%

The expected hiring salary range for this role is listed below. FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. 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, business sector, and budget.

Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 12% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.

Hiring Salary Range: $87,000 – $199,000

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 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.

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