Project Director, Global Health Risk & Capacity Mechanism

PACT Overview

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Programs - Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Position Overview

Pact seeks candidates for a Project Director for USAID’s upcoming Global Health Risk and Capacity (GHRC) Mechanism. The primary objective of this Mechanism is to provide partners and Missions support they need for success in working directly with local organizations across USAID/Global Health’s portfolio, building on the successes and lessons learned from PEPFAR’s local partner transition as well as other Localization efforts across the Agency.

The Project Director is accountable for team management, guidance, direction, and administrative and technical support to the contract. The Director is accountable for the completion of the deliverables for this project, as well as overall compliance with the contract. The Director will be expected to interact regularly with a diverse range of actors such as program staff, USAID staff, local implementing partner organizations, private sector actors, and other program stakeholders.  This position is contingent upon award.

This Mechanism will support identifying, treating and mitigating risks, provide effective and individualized capacity development support for programmatic and operational excellence, improve monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) and improve Missions’ ability to provide oversight and manage local partners.

The anticipated release date for this solicitation is April 22, 2023; the anticipated award date is December 22, 2023. It is anticipated to be an RFP in the $50-$99M range.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for the overall technical direction of the project and management of project activities and providing leadership to the project team to ensure high quality programming to achieve project results.
• Serve as the project’s primary liaison with USAID, partners, governments, and other key project stakeholders.
• Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and operating budgets) and internal and donor reporting.
• Ensure the provision of high-quality technical assistance to local implementing partners.
• Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information to donors, staff, and project stakeholders.
• Responsible for close coordination with other relevant in-country initiatives.
• Promote the project in public fora (conferences, working groups, and meetings) in contribution to USAID and Pact’s thought leadership in local partner transitioning efforts.
• Manage project budget to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact resources.
• Broker and manage relationships and collaborative ventures with private sector partners.
• Oversee Project MEL and Learning agenda.

Basic Requirements

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, preferably public health, medicine, social/behavioral/biological sciences, international affairs, management, or related field. A Master’s degree is required; a PhD is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience relevant to the contract subject matter working with local partners.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing international development projects of this scope and complexity. Experience managing USAID contracts strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with PEPFAR programming and policies.
• Experience interacting with developing country governments, international organizations, other bilateral donors and civil society representatives, and senior-level government officials.
• Experience managing expatriate and local staff.
• Field experience working with humanitarian response and public health programming is highly desirable.
• Experience working with local partners, particularly in the areas related to organizational capacity development, financial management and audits, business development, and transition/sustainability.
• Understanding of USAID Global Health and Localization initiatives.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills [in English], analytical skills, interpersonal skills, team management skills, leadership, and decision-making skills. Proficiency in a second relevant language would present an advantage.
• Ability to travel internationally as required.
• Eligibility to work in the U.S. is required.