Project Director, USAID/Global Resilience Against Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Job Description

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) saves lives and improves health by helping public and private organizations throughout the world to effectively manage people, medicines, money, and information. Working from more than 30 country offices and our Arlington, Virginia and Cambridge, Massachusetts US headquarters, our staff from 65 nations is highly regarded for its technical expertise, integrity, and commitment to making a lasting difference in health. We live our mission to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

MSH seeks a Project Director to provide technical leadership, management, and direction for an estimated $90 million, five-year global project, called Global Resilience against Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis. Referred to as GRAD-TB, the project is designed to scale up and improve management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in USAID-supported countries and focus on expanding access to high quality treatment services. In TB priority and Global Fund Technical Assistance countries, it will provide specialized technical assistance to enhance the quality of DR-TB program at the country level.

Position contingent upon project award and funding.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Project Director (PD) leads and manages the project and is accountable for project deliverables and results, with full accountability and necessary authority for the development, implementation, and monitoring of the project, including (1) vision and strategy; (2) project management and financial oversight; (3) documentation and communication; (4) client(s) and stakeholder(s) relationships; and (5) coordination and synergy with other MSH and USAID projects. The Project Director must be a technical expert in TB and will be responsible for all aspects of management and administration of the activity and the successful achievement of the expected outcomes and objectives of the Activity. The PD will be responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and technical direction of the entire project including the work of any sub-recipients as well as oversight of the management of all staff. The PD will set a positive tone for the entire project and inspire staff to apply results-based approaches for timely delivery of services to the clients we serve, including but not limited to timely producing high quality deliverables and documentation of project’s successes and lessons learned for local and international audiences.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee program activities and provide high-quality technical and strategic leadership, managerial oversight, and project administration.

• Safeguard MSH’s reputation by ensuring that financial, contractual, technical, and political integrity is maintained and strengthened.

• Ensure appropriate and timely documentation and dissemination of key results and deliverables for maximum project impact using various communication strategies.

• Ensure effective contract/agreement implementation in strict compliance with contract/agreement clauses, MSH and donor policies and Standard Operating Procedures.

• Develop, adapt as needed, and implement project management systems within MSH policies and guidelines while ensuring compliance, appropriateness, and responsiveness.

• Ensure a financial pipeline tracking system is in place for effective budget monitoring and cost control based on MSH guidelines and USAID requirements.

• Ensure project staffing, structure and reporting relationships are aligned with project needs and available resources.

• Manage and mentor the project team as per MSH policies and guidelines and implement an effective performance-management program including regular check-ins, annual appraisals, supportive supervision, training, coaching and career development support.

• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns.

• Provide oversight for all aspects of the Activity implementation and achievement of expected outcomes and objectives to include but not limited to: (1) Ensure activities are aligned with the latest scientific evidence in DR-TB as well as incorporate innovative implementation approaches for DR-TB programs; (2) Develop solutions to barriers and issues that are impeding the implementation of the Activity; and (3) Ensure activities are designed with country-specific contexts in mind given the varying partners and countries the activity will support.

• Provide technical expertise in DR-TB to support the design, implementation, and communication of the activities in accordance with the objectives.

• Serve in a critical role as liaison and as needed, establish working partnerships with USAID points of contact, implementing partner project directors, and host country representatives. Maintain professional documentation for projects and deliverables.

• Establish and maintain communication channels with USAID primary points of contact and other designated points of contact with USAID/Washington, USAID Missions, host country ministries or departments, international organizations, and other designated points of contact.

• Coordinate with various DR-TB implementing and research partners to ensure the activities are complementary and responsive to latest updates and innovations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• An advanced degree in medicine, public health, public policy or a related discipline combined with at least 12 years of related experience is required. 15 -20 years of progressively responsible experience preferred. Experience in international public health is required. Direct relevant experience must be in the management or implementation of development activities in/for low and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a clear indication of strengths and experience in project management and operations;

  a. at least five years must have been management or implementation of health systems strengthening and TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment and/or DR-TB programming activities globally;

  b. must be a technical expert in DR-TB and be familiar with latest scientific evidence in DR-TB

  c. at least five years of combined experience physically based in LMIC countries, particularly Africa or Asia. Experience working in WHO priority countries including Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, and more is a distinct advantage.

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience interacting with government or nongovernmental organizations including the private sector, in developing countries.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in partnership with U.S. Government agencies, international donors, or other multilateral agencies.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated senior-level leadership (e.g., Chief of Party, Project Director, Deputy Director) to programs of similar magnitude and complexity is preferred.
• Experience participating in the TB technical leadership at the global level is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of USAID program management and reporting procedures.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, Global Fund are an added advantage.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work with host country governments, NGOs, and international donors effectively.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships, work well as part of a team, and to incorporate views of other disciplines into their work.
• Demonstrated organizational, technical and supervisory skills and abilities; sound judgment and high ethical standards; and the flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written.
• Fluency in a foreign language preferred.
• Demonstrated computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively at international level.

The expected salary range for this position is: $150,000.00 - $225,500.00 annually (U.S. locations only).

MSH considers multiple job-related factors when determining an offer, including but not limited to, business and organizational needs, candidate qualifications, internal equity, location, and internal budget.

Salary is just one of many aspects of our total rewards package; at MSH, our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive set of competitive benefits that includes a substantial vacation, sick and holiday policies, training and development programs, competitive insurance coverage for health, vision, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability, 401k plan, Flexible Spending Account, among others.

The selected candidate will have a flexible work schedule combining remote and in-office work from one of MSH’s US offices at a set frequency.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.

About the Organization

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a global health nonprofit that makes foundational changes to health systems to protect people from diseases and improve their health. MSH collaborates with local partners, from the Ministry to the community, to strengthen and complement existing health systems. Since 1971, MSH has worked in more than 150 countries to help ensure sustainable, resilient, and equitable access to quality health care around the globe.