Project Director - Ensuring Quality Access and Learning (EQUAL) for Mothers and Newborns in Conflict at International Rescue Committee

The Project Director, EQUAL will provide overall leadership, project management, and external engagement for the entire program, with a focus on achieving results defined in the contract. The PD will ensure adherence with EQUAL’s workplan; provide management oversight to staff and partners; and ensure quality control, financial management, and contractual compliance. The EQUAL Project Director will ensure cohesion among consortium members and champion the goals of locally led research to advance maternal and newborn health.

Major Responsibilities

• Provide high level leadership and direction, across the project to guide effective implementation to achieve the desired outputs and outcomes.
• Lead the overall project by establishing, in collaboration with the Research Director, a strategy with both operational and research-focused key performance indicators, achievements, timelines and work plans in adherence with technical quality standards and donor guidelines.
• Supervise the development of budgets and spending plans and monitor the financial health of the project, ensuring targets are being met within the team.
• Supervise and monitor project activities in accordance with the FCDO contract, ensure reporting (monthly, quarterly and annually) against program level results and Key Performance Indicators.
• Ensure IRC meets FCDO contractual project, legal and financial requirements and represent the IRC and the consortium as primary liaison focal point with FCDO.
• Provide oversight to the EQUAL project team, and maintain a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, transparency, mutual respect, and recognition and empowers staff to take ownership, thus enabling an environment for dedication
• Develop and leads a well-functioning and encouraging consortium that consistently delivers high quality research, experienced technical expertise to FCDO country offices and programs, and research uptake. As part of this, develop and maintain strong lines of communication and collaboration.
• Lead excellent cooperation with and between consortium partners; partner organizations and government officials ensuring alignment as well as instituting clear processes and protocols for surfacing any issues or challenges in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain collaborative and positive relationships with internal and external partners through effective communication and engagement.

Education

• Master’s degree in public health or related field is preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum 10 years progressive experience in the public health sector.
• Experience leading complex consortia, including academic institutions, NGOs, and for-profit organizations.
• Preferred experience working in technical delivery of maternal and newborn health projects.
• Preferred experience with relationship management with donors and other external partners.
• Preferred experience managing grant-funded or commercial contract projects in fragile, and conflict affected settings.
• Experience implementing FCDO commercial contracts strongly preferred, with strong knowledge of commercial contract rules and regulations.
• Preferred experience leading research projects.

Demonstrated Skills And Proficiencies

• Demonstrated experience and ability leading teams and individuals across multiple areas of technical expertise and geographic locations.
• Ability to give feedback in a constructive way that supports staff improvement; ability to receive feedback and adjust behavior.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Solid organizational skills: ability to lead competing priorities in a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong analytical problem-solving skill and ability to think and plan at the ‘big picture’ level.
• Experience in public health, with preference for experience in maternal and newborn health.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Understanding and practical experience of project management principles throughout the full project cycle.

Language Skills

• Fluent in English; French language proficiency strongly preferred.