Locations Kenya-Remote
Time type Full time posted on Posted 10 Days Ago
Job Summary:
As Technical Knowledge Management Director, Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESARO): Provides leadership in the management, implementation, prioritization, sequencing, and selection of projects within ESARO.
Integrates the planning process with the portfolio prioritization process to ensure alignment of the portfolio with the organization’s objectives and constraints.
Develops and delivers action-oriented portfolio scorecards, metrics, governance and reporting to support decision making.
Contributes to project and program management services including; mentoring, project management best practices, tools and templates.
Acts as a communication conduit for portfolio-related project status, actions, decisions, risks and issues, and schedules for strategic initiatives. Works with the ESARO Regional Director and regional team to resolve issues and ensure cross-functional project process consistency.
As Technical Knowledge Management Director for the FHI 360 ESARO: provides technical leadership and facilitates/coordinates technical capacity development to projects; mentors staff who support the technical aspects of the portfolio; collaborate closely with FHI 360 headquarters and country offices to ensure the technical quality of programs; and contributes to the business development and diversification in ESARO portfolio.
Candidates based in the Eastern and Southern Africa region will be considered.
Management
- In the absence of the Regional Director, serve as Acting Regional Director for ESARO
- Supervise Country Representatives for a portfolio of projects as assigned
- Manage a regional technical knowledge management team in which the overall strategy of FHI 360 ESARO is clear for each level of the team. Stay knowledgeable on emerging technical areas and incorporate an integrated development approach, as appropriate.
- Develop and implement a clear strategy based on priorities that will facilitate decisions on where technical staff are needed and when to pursue relocation of staff to the country and/or ESARO regional levels.
- Conduct regular calls with each country representative and country technical teams, with more frequent correspondence if/when needed (i.e., for business development).
- Coordinate technical knowledge management in ESARO with HQ (North Carolina and Washington DC) technical departments.
Technical Assistance and Thought Leadership
- Support each country on technical knowledge management strategy development, adjusting if/when needed dependent upon country landscape and, when relevant, available funding.
- Provide oversight and quality assurance on strategic information, monitoring and evaluation, implementing agency monitoring, and annual work-plans (based on the defined technical strategy).
- Define and implement research agendas. In collaboration with various HQ departments, identify ideas for programmatic implementation (“non-human subjects research”), operational research, and prospective studies.
- Initiate and manage regional knowledge exchange (“Tech Brown Bag Series”) in the spirit of academia—i.e., lab meetings, “grand rounds”, and other forums in which the most up-to-date research and innovations are discussed; and individual projects and research can be presented. These presentations would be prepared by different projects at the country level and will be held at regular intervals, with the goal to share experiences and solicit input and feedback.
- Participate in evaluations, needs assessments, and technical assistance visits as needed.
Business Development
- Participate in new business development by designing and writing new proposals in cooperation with the Director for Business Development and Diversification, and other resource development teams.
- Participate in deciding when to pursue bids based on technical and geographic priorities.
Representation
- Organize technical meetings to convene stakeholders and technical leaders in specific areas to promote thought leadership, exchange of ideas and identify areas for collaboration in the region.
- Attend international meetings based on the importance of the meeting and visibility of FHI 360 ESARO. Identify key meetings each year.
- Support data analysis and develop abstracts for publication.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
- Strong business acumen with the keenness and quickness to understand and deal with a “business situation” (risks and opportunities) that leads to a good outcome designed to improve financial performance and leadership development.
- Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts, and practices with project management, process development and execution.
- Knowledge of non-profit funding streams, including government and philanthropic.
- Strong time-management, multi- tasking and organizational skills.
- Strong negotiator and collaborator who strengthens business relationships.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong consultative and negotiation skills.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.
- Excellent and demonstrated public relations, policy development, project management and diplomacy skills required.
- Adaptable to new approaches to doing business.
- Ability to motivate, influence and collaborate with others across all levels of the organization.
- Ability to speak the country’s language.
- Ability to build positive local working relationships with local communities, district government officials, UN and where appropriate, donor representatives.
- Ability to take initiative and focus on results.
- Ability to learn new skills and systems, with an entrepreneurial work ethic.
Education:
- Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Civil Society, Communication and Social Marketing, Economic Development, Education, the Environment, Gender, Health, Nutrition, Research, Technology and Youth or a Related Fields.
- Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.
Experience:
- Typically requires 10+ years of relevant experience with projects management principles and practices (including 8+ years of corporate strategic leadership, strong business acumen and/or line management experience).
- Proficient with applicable rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). USAID and/or CDC experience required.
- Demonstrated experience in sector specific multi-sector project management and implementation and integrated programming.
- Demonstrated strategic planning, staff development and capacity building experience.
- Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex projects that are strategic in nature and national/international in scope. Management of projects in multiple countries preferred.
- Experience managing large teams across several countries.
- Experience operating in challenging environments.
Typical Physical Demands:
- Typical office environment.
- Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.
Technology to be Used:
- Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
Travel Requirements:
- 10% – 25%
This job posting 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.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.
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