Job Summary: Provides technical leadership for a large, USAID-funded social and behavior change global project for MERL. Oversees MERL, quality assurance/continuous quality improvement activities for the project. Guides the development and utilization of near-real time systems for monitoring project results. Oversees research activities, knowledge management, and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA). Establishes and continually refines MERL technical frameworks, approaches, tools, and activities for that project. Identifies specialized partnership needs, engages qualified partners to ensure MERL technical performance. Monitors all technical aspects of the projectโs MERL work from initiation through delivery. Ensures completion of project technical deliverables are on schedule and within budget constraints. Selects, develops and evaluates MERL personnel to ensure technical objectives are met. Contributes project experience and learning to global thought leadership initiatives in SBC MERL.
Accountabilities:
Serves as the SBC MERL technical lead and key point of contact for the prime implementing organization on the global SBC project.
Leads the MERL-focused operational and tactical activities for the project in support of MERL efforts.
Ensures high quality technical and research deliverablesโincluding workplans, LMEs, evaluations, formative assessments, and annual reportsโare developed, submitted and approved on schedule and within budget parameters.
Develops and implements processes and procedures to achieve strategic technical goals of the project.
Provides direction to ensure technical and research activities are compliant with client agreements, government regulations and the organizationโs policies and procedures.
Responds to client requests and questions on MERL matters and ensures timely drafts and submissions of consents, approvals and/or waivers.
Manages the monitoring and evaluation activities of a project including contributing to the finalization and submission of project work plans, performance monitoring plans (PMPs) and quarterly, annual, and other reports.
Manages the relationship with all subcontracted organizations on a project on MERL matters.
Promotes project success by collecting, writing, and distributing success stories, case studies, photos, and outreach at events.
Attends informative events related to the subject matter or region of a project to network and learn information that could be valuable to project activities.
Supports knowledge management and CLA within the project, including the capture and articulation of success stories, best practice and lessons learned and use of data for ongoing program improvement. Directs and guides MERL managers, staff, and partners with training and developing process improvement initiatives to ensure compliance with company and government standards.
Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports including ongoing feedback, coaching and career support. Engages in writing publications and may contribute to developing proposals for field support buy-ins or peer review journal or other learning articles and products.
Identifies and consults with executive management on technical recommendations to make better business decisions.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with project/research management and MERL, CLA, and knowledge management.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent and demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills.
Excellent and demonstrated project/research management and technical skills.
Ability to influence, motivate, negotiate and work well with others.
Ability to exercise judgment within generally defined practices and policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices and policies related to specialized technical area of expertise.
Proven ability to ensure that budgets, schedules, and performance requirements are met. Excellent and demonstrated leadership skills.
Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Excellent oral and written communication and analytical skills in English.
Problem Solving & Impact: Works on problems of complex scope and require in depth evaluation of issues and assessment of intangible factors. Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies to select methods and techniques for obtaining results. Decisions made generally affect overall success of functional, division or company operations. Problems encountered are complex, highly varied and require considerable judgment to obtain results. Erroneous decisions may result in critical delay(s) in schedules.
Supervision Given/Received: Typically provides direct supervision of a team of Technical Advisors and Technical Officers. Leads and directs staff to achieve strategic project goals. Coordinates with project lead to set budgets, goals, and develops procedures and training for project. Develops and recommends project management solutions. Reports the Project Director.
Education: Masterโs Degree or its International Equivalent in Public Health, Marketing, the Social Sciences, or Research, or a Related Field.
Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.
Experience:
Typically requires a minimum of 12+ years of relevant MERL management experience (including 8+ years of leadership, strong business acumen and/or line management experience).
10 years preferred in a senior-level management position in MERL and quality assurance for large SBC projects or organizations.
Understanding of SBC theories, practice, and research and evaluation best practices and needs.
Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO) is preferred.
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: Less than 25%
The expected hiring salary range for this role is listed below. FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, business sector, and budget.
Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 12% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.
Hiring Salary Range: $125,000 - $175,000
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.
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