Project Director – STRIDES (Proposal)

Job Description

The Opportunity

USAID’s STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) project will support and strengthen surveillance, detection and analytical capacity of infectious diseases and anti-microbial resistance. Through STRIDES USAID seeks to build on previous work by assisting counties prioritized for the Global Health Security program of varying capacitates in countries in Africa, Asia, and the Latin America/Caribbean regions to support different discrete aspects of the infectious disease detection and analytic pipeline.

As the STRIDES Project Director, you will serve as the main point of contact with USAID and provide vision, direction, leadership, and management for the project. You will also serve as the primary representative for all project-related issues, concerns, or problems. The Project Director will serve as a thought leader for the project and will work closely with the Technical Director to manage the overarching technical vision and strategy of the project.

This position is contingent upon project award to Abt Associates.

Core Responsibilities

Program Excellence, Delivery and Expansion

• Overall oversight of program; ensure that core and country activities meet client and internal expectations with regard to quality of work delivered, schedule and budget.
• Demonstrate leadership in adoption of Abt standard project management best practices.
• Facilitate implementation of global knowledge management program that provides thought leadership for USAID and keeps Abt at the cutting edge of technical solutions in the global health security and infectious disease spaces.
• Enable efficient implementation of STRIDES core and cross-cutting technical strategies as detailed in the final project design.
• Ensure excellence of STRIDES technical delivery, in close collaboration with the Technical Director.

Grow and Evolve a Diverse and Global Workforce

• Roll out and implement a STRIDES staff engagement and retention strategy with senior management.
• Proactive in coaching and developing emerging talent and other personnel, and ensure direct reports do the same. Ensure the right people are in the right positions in every level of the global project with appropriate development and succession plans.
• Ensures STRIDES contributes positively and explicitly to Abt wide equity, diversity, and inclusion goals.

Project Financial Metrics

• Responsible for the project managing to budget including meeting division total revenue and gross profit goal plans.
• Ensure admin/non-billable costs are monitored and minimized.
• Report to USAID on time according to contractual financial requirements.

Business Development in Health Systems and Policy

• Oversee the development of a strategy for capturing experience and capabilities developed in Abt through STRIDES for utilization in health systems strengthening opportunities.
• Work with and across Client Engagement and Growth, and the Corporate Growth Office to support and strengthen responses to business opportunities in health systems.

What We Value

• Bachelor’s Degree + 15 years of relevant experience, or master’s degree + 12 years of relevant experience, or PhD + 10 years of relevant experience.
• Direct relevant experience in the management or implementation of global health activities in/for low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Five years of experience managing or implementing infectious disease or related activities in one or more LMICs.
• Three years of combined experience working in LMIC countries strongly preferred.
• Skilled collaborator with a history of maintaining successful relationships internally and externally. Prior experience working in highly collaborative, dynamic, matrixed environments.
• Experience working in partnership with U.S. Government agencies, international donors, or other multilateral agencies.
• Professional experience interacting with government or non-governmental organizations including the private sector, in developing countries.
• Demonstrated senior-level leadership to programs of similar magnitude and complexity is preferred.
• Proven experience building and maintaining strong client relationships, including problem-solving complex project issues with client relationship in mind.
• Experience leading financial management activities, including target-setting, forecasting, and managing project revenue budgets and operating budgets in line with strategic objectives.
• Fluency in English required; ability to conduct business in one or more relevant language is (French, Spanish, or Portuguese) is preferred.

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits, flexible schedules, and professional development.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply and work authorization is required.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of approximately $139,021.29 to $222,434.06 and may vary by ten percent depending on candidate geographic location. Salary offers are made based on internal equity and market analysis.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

About the Organization

The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 4,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.