Program Director at International Rescue Committee

Position Summary

• IRC is seeking a Program Director for an anticipated multi-million-dollar Department of Health CDC Strengthening Immunization Program Implementation in Sub-National Consequential Geographies opportunity. The aim of this program is to provide immunization services (identify and vaccinate zero- and under-dose children, support polio eradication, measles mortality reduction and regional measles and rubella elimination, hepatitis B and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination, and other vaccine-preventable diseases surveillance); support global laboratory networks for polio and measles/rubella; support planning and implementation of supplemental immunization campaigns; and support the strengthening of immunization delivery systems and capacities in high priority countries.
• The Program Director will be responsible for ensuring that the proposed project is implemented in accordance with the terms of the CDC award, US Government regulations, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards. The Program Director will work closely with IRC country program(s), regional, and HQ leadership to ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with IRC policies and principles.
• In addition, they will be the primary representational link with CDC staff for the Program and will liaise with the CDC to provide project updates and discuss strategies, obstacles, performance plans, and progress against targets. The Program Director will liaise with CDC agreement/contracting officers, technical support staff, partner organizations, outside contractors, and implementers of other CDC-funded initiatives as required. The COP will represent the project to all key stakeholders, government officials, and donors at coordination fora and other related meetings and will ensure that project initiatives achieve the expected results.
• The position will be based in any of the following locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, Nairobi, Kenya. Recruitment is contingent upon the successful award of the project, and the selection of the final applicant is subject to CDC approval. The project is anticipated to begin in June 2024.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and administrative leadership and direction, define, and implement activities to achieve the greatest impact toward project goals and objectives.
• Oversee technical direction and project delivery to ensure activities align with the performance framework and meet all standard operational policies and procedures.
• Oversee development, review, and monitoring of yearly work plans, project strategy documents, implementation measures, knowledge management, and sustainability efforts to ensure long- and short-term impact goals are achieved. 
• Manage consortium partnerships and maintain collaborative partner relations, ensuring that all partners know the project’s expectations and are actively involved in achieving the objectives while using the project management tools developed or adapted for the consortium.
• Support the Project Coordinator in managing partners and providing financial and operations support that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor.
• Report to CDC through both formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports, ensuring timely submission of high-quality content. 
• Maintain active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions.
• Represent the project and the organization in national, regional, and international fora, including technical conferences and policy briefings, and share information about project achievements and lessons learned within the organization and wider development community. 
• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

Requirements:

• Degree from an accredited university in public health, international development, or other related field; equivalent experience may be substituted for graduate degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in similar immunization activities, and experience managing complex international donor-funded public health activities in challenging environments
• Minimum of 8 years of project management.
• Experience working in fragile contexts leading public health responses and programs
• Proven experience in administrative and financial management for large projects and significant knowledge of US Government compliance, rules and regulations
• Proven experience in developing and maintaining strong and effective partnerships.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Substantial experience managing diverse sub-grantees/sub-contractors, including INGO, NGO, local FBO and private sector actors.
• Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Fluency in English is required.