FHI 360 seeks a qualified candidate for the position of Technical Director for the USAID-funded Enhancing NTD Diagnostics through Operational Research (ENDOR) project. Through ENDOR, USAID aims to implement a collaborative, country-centered approach to conducting operational research (OR), working closely with countries, researchers, and WHO to evaluate new diagnostics, inform best practices and policy change through evidence from OR studies, and employ innovative solutions to improve and sustain NTD health services. ENDOR will also directly support efforts to strengthen the capacity of government entities, local organizations, and institutions to engage in research activities.

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

Job Summary:

Directs and leads the planning, execution, and monitoring of ENDOR research activities. Ensures consistent practices throughout all phases of the research project life cycle. Applies project management best practices in the development, initiation, planning, execution, control and closing of research activities. Provides clear direction on research requirements, including knowledge translation, to meet expectations of external customers and stakeholders. The Technical Director may oversee research initiatives that are awarded to external entities through grant mechanisms or may lead individual research activities, commensurate with work experience and technical skills.

Accountabilities:

• Oversees a team of senior technical staff (researchers, research utilization specialists, capacity building technical advisors, and knowledge management and knowledge translation technical advisors) to develop, plan, and implement, program activities.
• Serves as supervisor to some research team members at FHI 360.
• Ensures clarity and technical quality of research plans and priorities; and develops approaches to ensure effective teamwork.
• Directs and leads implementation of research projects through approved work plans, budgets and ensures compliance with organizational procedures and policies, relevant regulations and terms and conditions in the award document.
• Provides guidance to research staff within FHI 360 and partner organizations to achieve ENDOR project goals.
• Serves as primary point of contact on matters related to ENDOR research and knowledge management activities with internal and external partners/stakeholders.
• Participates in the strategic development of methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for research activities.
• Leads quality assurance/quality control of the work performed by the project’s research team at FHI 360 and subcontracted organizations, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and technical support.
• Manages the relationship with all subcontracted organizations on research-related matters.
• Provides technical thought leadership and is responsible for leading solicitation and prioritization of evidence needs, along with design and implementation of high-quality research activities.
• Oversees the production of high quality, technically sound knowledge products resulting from research.
• 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.
• Serves are reviewer for publications, abstracts and other knowledge products.
• Works closely with the ENDOR Deputy Director, Administration and Finance, to ensure project activities are budgeted appropriately and costs are routinely monitored and contained.
• Represents the project at regional, national, and international fora, including technical conferences, policy briefings, networking events, among others.
• Represents ENDOR, ensuring high-quality technical products and services.

Problem Solving & Impact

• Decisions and actions have a significant impact on management and division operations.
• Problems encountered are complex, highly varied and often non- recurring.
• Excellent strategic and operational decision-maker that interprets business strategies and develops objectives to align with organization goals.

Supervision Given/Received

• Sets goals and budgets for department and leads company projects that have significant financial implications.
• Leads coordination of resources for ongoing projects across business groups and addresses/resolves program issues.
• Reports to a Project Director

Applied Knowledge & Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge and experience applying theories, concepts, and practices for implementing operational research projects.
• Strong content expertise in NTD programming, including technical expertise in one or more of the five endemic NTDs targeted by the project: schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths (STH), onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and trachoma.
• Ability to provide thought leadership in NTD research, illustrated by a record of peer reviewed publications presenting NTD research.
• Excellent demonstrated project management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of program/project goals.
• Demonstrated understanding of the scale-up and sustainability of evidence-based NTD interventions.
• Experience with 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 related to research.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English. Additional proficiency in French preferred.

Education

• Master’s Degree or its international equivalent in a field directly relevant to NTD research. Doctoral degree preferred.

Experience

• At least 10 years of experience leading research activities to support NTD programming.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing research 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 NTD program effectiveness, identify and overcome barriers to program implementation, and guide decision-making.

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.
• 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), statistical analysis packages (e.g., Stata, SAS, R, SPSS), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements

• 10%-25%

* Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience sufficient to successfully perform the key responsibilities of the job. This job description 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.

Disclaimer: Note the Compensation Band that appears on the job description is associated with those jobs assigned to the US Salary Structure and employees that are paid from US payroll.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the position. 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.

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.

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. Please click here to continue searching FHI 360’s Career Portal.

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: $135,000 – $170,000

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.

Please click here to continue searching FHI 360’s Career Portal.