EpiC Project Director, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Job Description

The EpiC Burkina Faso Project Director provides overall leadership, management, and strategic direction for the EpiC project in Burkina Faso. The Project Director will oversee the implementation of the EpiC HIV, GHS, MCH, and nutrition portfolio in country. They will ensure that project goals and objectives are achieved within the prescribed time frame and funding parameters. They will serve as the primary point of contact for EpiC activities in Burkina Faso and provide technical and management leadership to the country project and ensure successful implementation of the work plan, monitoring of expenditures in lines with the approved budget, achievement of the project's targets and goals, and identification, mitigation and escalation of risk. They will be required to coordinate and work with a diverse group of organizations and stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health, senior government officials, country health staff, international and national development partner organizations, and the United States Government (USG) donor representatives.

Working in close collaboration with the EpiC headquarters (HQ) team, the Project Director plans and directs project implementation and monitors budget/spending from startup through closeout. They lead the project team in the planning of project activities ensuring completion of the project on schedule and within budget constraints.

Accountabilities

• Direct overall project vision, design, planning and implementation.
• Ensure internal management systems for contracting, recruitment, and delivery; move rapidly to respond to the demands for service delivery on the ground.
• Foster innovation and new ideas for better targeted, and more cost-efficient and effective strategies to reach key populations and retain them in services.
• Develop, manage and maintain strategic partnerships among a variety of stakeholders, partners, governments, civil society and donor organizations.
• Ensure that targets agreed upon with US Government funding agency(ies) are met, on budget and on time.
• Identify opportunities and negotiate partnership programs to leverage other synergistic donor, governmental and organizational resources.
• Supervise technical, management and operations, and strategic information staff to carry out activities designed in cooperation with the donor; in so doing, ensure activities are fully accomplished, meet expected technical and management quality standards, and are delivered on schedule.
• Work closely with EpiC HQ on the development of annual work plans and budgets for timely submission to and approval by USG to implement those plans.
• Serve as the primary contact to the global EpiC HQ project team.
• Serve as primary point of contact with USAID/Department of State Burkina Faso staff and ensure communications flow smoothly between project and donor team by maintaining a collaborative working relationship.
• Oversee technical and management reviews, to identify and escalate risks, address performance challenges and highlight accomplishments to ensure the program moves forward in a compliant manner.
• Ensure solid and regular communication and engagement with both core and other strategic partners, providing them with technical guidance and oversight to ensure optimal participation in the project.
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring that program is adequately monitored, and that evaluative thinking is incorporated appropriately into the program wherever possible.
• Guide technical and organizational capacity building initiatives with local partners and senior staff to ensure delivery of high-quality training, technical assistance, and reports.
• Represent the project in advancing evidence-based and innovative strategies and approaches on a global, regional and local level.
• Serve as a member of the FHI 360 Burkina Faso Senior Leadership Team and provide input and assistance to the management of the country program, develop country program strategy, business plans, operational plans and budgets.
• Create, promote, and maintain a safe and equitable work environment for all personnel, including a harassment- and violence-free work culture, and systems for safeguarding project participants.
• Research sources for potential funding and contribute to proposal development, as requested.
• Provide guidance and training to the project team (staff and consultants) to achieve project goals.
• Provide leadership to the project team, ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, encouraging effective teamwork.
• Responsible for onboarding project staff, ensuring their familiarity with mandate values, quality standards, policies and project objectives and their individual responsibilities in upholding these standards and policies.
• Support performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.

How to Apply

The application files must exclusively contain the following documents:

• A detailed, updated and signed CV (maximum 4 pages).
• A dated and signed cover letter (maximum 2 pages).
• The contact information (full names, phone number, address, and position) of three (3) referees.
• A photocopy of the required diploma.