FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Project Director
Description:
FHI 360 is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Project Director for the USAID funded Afghanistan University Support and Workforce Development Program (USWDP). The position will be based at FHI 360’s office in Washington, DC, and will require periodic travel to the project office in Kabul, Afghanistan. The position includes additional responsibilities, including technical support to other projects, as well as contributions to thought leadership and business development.
The Afghanistan University Support and Workforce Development Program (USWDP) is funded under a cooperative agreement with USAID and has a period of performance through December 2018. USWDP has its main office in Kabul and project coordination offices at select public universities across Afghanistan. USWDP is working with the Ministry of Higher Education to improve the quality and relevance of higher education services in Afghanistan. USWDP’s major activities include improving capacity of the ministry and universities to:
- Manage effectively financial and human resources for higher education;
- Implement and monitor quality assurance and accreditation systems;
- Introduce and expand public university autonomy;
- Align academic programs and employment markets;
- Design and implement pilot associate degree programs;
- Develop partnerships foreign universities and private sector entities;
- Promote sustained collaboration industry representatives; and
- Create career centers to prepare students for entry into the workforce.
Job Summary / Responsibilities:
The Project Director for USWDP entails responsibility for the technical coordination and management of USWDP and other education projects, as well as technical contributions to thought leadership and business development.
Technical Coordination and Management of Projects:
Working in close collaboration with the COP and to support the field-based management of the project, the Project Director will:
- Provide technical oversight for the overall technical direction of the project and the timely completion of deliverables
- Serve as the primary project liaison between the project and home office (HQ) support units, promoting positive and constructive working relationships
- Oversee a small home office project management team responsible for coordination of home office support functions (technical, finance, contracts, human resources, security, etc.)
- Identify and facilitate technical support to the project from Global Education and other technical teams (e.g., monitoring and evaluation, workforce development, youth, technology, participant training, gender)
- Ensure alignment between the project implementation plan and budget, providing guidance for revisions/realignment, as needed
- Oversee the allocation and use of project funds, ensuring a burn rate appropriate to the project implementation plan;
- Manage subawards and serve as liaison with technical implementation partners
- Respond to and manage technical assistance requests from the project by developing scopes of work and identifying/recruiting technical specialists
- Ensure the timely completion and quality of all project deliverables
- Undertake short-term technical assignments, as needed
- Coordinate and facilitate a process of program and technical quality management
- Maintain a constructive dialogue and technical exchange among project leadership, home office management team, implementing partners, and USAID
- Develop and oversee a system for the identification and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned from project implementation
Technical Contributions to Project Effectiveness:
In order to ensure that USWDP activities and accomplishments benefit FHI 360’s expertise in project design and implementation, the Project Director will:
- Identify effective implementation practices that demonstrate institutional capabilities
- Develop strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components
- Foster technical engagement with counterparts at USAID, multilateral and bilateral donors, and other development organizations
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree or doctorate in education, international development, or other relevant field of study
- 7 years of experience in development management, including in the field of global education
- Expertise in international education; specialization in one or more of the areas of higher education, workforce development, human and institutional capacity development, education in fragile environments
- Previous experience managing home office support to major development programs
- Proven capacity to lead project implementation teams, including home office- and field-based project personnel
- Successful record managing major donor funded projects, including setting realistic priorities, implementing activities, and overseeing project budgets and subawards
- Experience implementing donor-funded projects in developing countries, preferably in Afghanistan and/or similar conflict/post-conflict environments
- Familiarity with US government/USAID rules and regulations, including project compliance
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English; Dari/Pashto language skills preferred
- Available for up to 25% international travel, including regular field visits of between 2 and 3 weeks (in Afghanistan and other challenging/insecure environments)
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.
We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefit package. Please click here to visit FHI 360’s Career Center for a list of all open positions.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities.
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