Project Director, Maternal and Newborn Health at International Rescue Committee

Job Overview: 

The MNH Director provides management support to the Airbel Impact Lab portfolio in maternal and newborn health (MNH). The Director will be a part of the Airbel Sexual & Reproductive and Maternal & Newborn Health (SRMNH) Global Research and Innovation Priority Team as well as the EQUAL consortium management team.

General Responsibilities Include

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead project governance structures, cycles, and appraisal methods.
• Lead delivery across several projects with cross functional, multi-disciplinary teams. Ensure that projects are delivered to agreed goals, on time and on budget.
• Overseeing program budgets and ensuring targets are being met within the team.
• Develop and maintain collaborative and positive relationships with internal and external partners through effective communication and engagement.
• Clear monitoring and reporting (monthly, quarterly and annually) against program level results and Key Performance Indicators.
• Support project staff by crafting and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, transparency, mutual respect, and recognition and empowers staff to take ownership, thus enabling an environment for dedication

Specific To EQUAL

The Project Director will be accountable for the delivery of the EQUAL contract and lead the EQUAL research consortium:

Experienced Project Leadership

• 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.
• Supervise and monitor project activities in accordance with the FCDO contract.
• Ensure IRC meets FCDO contractual project, legal and financial requirements and represent the IRC and the consortium as primary liaison focal point with FCDO.
• Responsible for contract compliance and results.
• Responsible for project risk management and appropriate critical issue.
• Provide oversight to the EQUAL project team.
• Supervise the monitoring and evaluation of the EQUAL contract implementation for IRC and consortia partners.

Consortium leadership

• 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.

Education

Job Requirements:

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

Work Experience

• Minimum 10-15 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 projects in fragile, and conflict affected settings.
• Extensive experience implementing FCDO commercial contracts, with strong knowledge of commercial contract rules and regulations.
• 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 work well under pressure, lead competing priorities in a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to think and plan at the ‘big picture’ level.
• 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.