STRIDES Project Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title : STRIDES Project Director

Report To : Program Director - Asia

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing—creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries and all US states and territories. FHI 360 has worked in Bangladesh for more than 45 years. Since 1975, we have taken a comprehensive approach to help transform the country’s health and development landscape. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Bangladesh delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services—including HIV and nutrition, tuberculosis, global health security, and economic participation.

This position is contingent upon funding from the Department of State (DOS).

Project Description:

A disease can spread from any remote village to any major city on all continents in as little as 36 hours. Increased international travel and trade, population growth and movement, greater urbanization, and insufficient attention to existing weak health systems are key drivers for the emergence of infectious diseases.

The U.S. government’s (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USG’s GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust in a country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services. STRIDES aims to increase a country’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE) scores by supporting national governments to strengthen core capacities — including laboratory and surveillance systems strengthening and emergency response operations — thereby improving compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR) and overall global health security. Table 1 summarizes how STRIDES aims to improve JEE technical areas to strengthen disease prevention, detection and response.

Job Summary:

The Bangladesh Project Director, STRIDES leads and directs implementation of an anticipated USAID-funded GHS activity to enhance global health priorities in country with the general objectives to strengthen capacity across laboratory and surveillance systems to prevent, detect, and rapidly and effectively respond to emerging infectious diseases and other public health threats. S/He will fulfill the diverse managerial requirements of the Activity and have technical and management responsibility for all activities, personnel, and budget/spending. The Bangladesh Project Director, STRIDES serves as the Activity’s primary liaison with USAID missions in country, key stakeholders including local government, and other global health security implementing partners working in country in addition to overseeing STRIDES subcontractors operating in country. Working across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors, the Bangladesh Project Director, STRIDES will lead the development and implementation of annual work plans, monitoring and evaluation activities, technical and financial reporting, and other administrative elements of the Activity.

Accountabilities:

• Plans, directs, and coordinates implementation of GHS activities to ensure that goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed timeframes and funding parameters.
• Establishes work plans, teams, and SOPs to meet Activity goals and ensure compliance with policies.
• Directly manages technical, financial and operational staff responsible for all aspects of the GHS Activity. Responsible for creating, promoting, and maintaining safe and equitable work environments for all personnel, including a harassment- and violence-free work culture, and systems for safeguarding Activity participants.
• Manages in-country relationships with national, regional, and local government counterparts and multisectoral partners and identifies technical assistance needed to fulfill national global health security objectives and targets and operationalize One Health.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and collaboration for the team and in-country stakeholders, including USAID, implementation partners, government partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Leads in-country team and liaises with Activity leadership at the global level to define, develop, implement, monitor and adjust technical work plans, budgets, presentations, and reports.
• Ensures on-time delivery of high-quality deliverables and reports.
• Provides guidance and training to managers and staff to achieve Activity goals.
• Responsible for onboarding of Activity staff, ensuring their familiarity with organizational and Activity values, quality standards, policies and procedures and their individual responsibilities in upholding them.
• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.

  Applied Knowledge & Skills:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices with project management, process development and execution. Familiarity with international Global Health Security frameworks and initiatives, particularly in relation to USG’s Programs and priorities, is highly preferred.
  • Excellent and demonstrated project management skills, including leadership to develop annual work plans and deliverables to USG while overseeing the Activity’s monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure achievement of Activity goals and objectives.
  • Articulate, professional, and diplomatic with ability to communicate using a clear and positive manner with clients and staff.
  • Strong influencing, negotiation, and collaboration skills; Prior experience developing partnerships and managing relationships with USG host country government, key stakeholders, and other implementing partners in country is highly preferred.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills managing staff within a matrixed organization. Prior experience working in an international non-governmental organization (INGO) a plus.
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of the Activity.

    Problem Solving & Impact:

    📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

    ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

    • Problems encountered are complex and highly varied; decisions and actions have a significant impact on Activity implementation.
    • Exercises judgment to meet business strategies and develops objectives that align with donor and Activity goals.
    • Quickly identifies and notifies management of potential issues during implementation.
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

      Supervision Given/Received:

      • Sets goals and budgets and leads in-country team to achieve strategic goals.
      • Leads coordination of resources for Activity implementation addresses/resolves Activity issues.
      • Reports to the Regional Technical Advisor and/or Activity Senior Management Team.
        • Proficient with applicable USAID or other donor rules, regulations, and policies
        • Demonstrated knowledge and experience working on the management and implementation of human or animal health projects and interventions for infectious diseases
        • Knowledge and experience working on Global Health Security projects or activities preferred; experience working across multiple sectors (One Health) desirable
        • Demonstrated experience developing and mentoring staff and building capacity of local teams and partners.
        • Demonstrated experience in managing complex, multidisciplinary projects and/or activities.
        • Proficiency in English language (read, write, speak) is required
        • Fluency in host country language is required
        • Experience operating in insecure environments.
        • Experience working in an NGO is preferred
        • Experience working in a Government Human, Animal or Environmental Health Ministry/Agency is desirable.

          Education:

          • Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Epidemiology, Microbiology, Infectious Disease, Laboratory Science, Health Systems Strengthening, or a related field from a recognized university or
          • Civil Society, Communication and Social Marketing, Economic Development, Education, the Environment, Gender, Health, Nutrition, Research, Technology and Youth or a Related Field.
          • Project Management (PM) Certification or (PhD) in Public Health, preferred.

            Experience:

            • Typically requires a minimum of 15+ years of relevant technical/project management experience (including 10+ years of leadership, strong business acumen and/or line management experience as COP, Country Director or Project Director).
            • Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO) is preferred.
            • Prior experience implementing USG-funded contracts strongly 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:

                  • 10-25%

                    The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work and are subject to modification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.

                    FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities.

                    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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