F

Country Director

Family Health International
Full-time
On-site
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

 

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, civil society, gender equality, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development and humanitarian challenge in more than 70 countries.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Oversee the portfolio of projects within the FHI 360 Ethiopia platform, spanning nutrition, social and behavior change (SBC), HIV/AIDS, crisis response, education and other technical domains to be determined. Directly supervise project leaders within the Country Office, with clear roles, responsibilities, accountabilities, and leveraging to promote synergy and collaboration. Focus on continued optimization of this large and growing platform, across technical and operational (Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, Sub-Award Management) domains, with a focus on program delivery, growth, and diversification. Serve as the primary representative for FHI 360 Ethiopia, ensuring strong collaboration with donors and sponsors, partners, and government agencies. Focus on establishing and nurturing new partnerships with such agencies as Africa CDC, building on initial discussions. Infuse a quality orientation across the platform in technical and operational domains, collaborating with project teams and colleagues at the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) and headquarters (HQ) as needed to make sure all deliverables are exceptional and improve the standing and reputation of the organization. In sum, oversee all program operations, provide strategic direction, support business development, and ensure FHI 360 is compliant with donor and government policies and regulations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide leadership for multiple projects within the Ethiopia platform to ensure compliance with FHI 360, donor, and government policies, procedures, and regulations; manage the country office (Addis Ababa) and ensure effective day-to-day management of sub-offices (e.g., Arba Minch, Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gambella, Assosa , Mekelle, Jigjiga, etc.).  With ESARO and HQ, define strategic direction, including (e.g.,) development and continual refinement of frameworks, approaches, tools, specialized partnerships, and monitoring and evaluation approaches. With a focus on optimization of platform systems and processes, oversee all operations functions including management, finance, contracts and grants, security, legal, and human resources to ensure compliance with company, donor and government policies and procedures. Supervise FHI 360 Ethiopia project directors ensuring projects deliver results in a cost-effective and compliant manner; liaise with assigned technical supervisors to provide ongoing supervision and performance assessments for project directors and assigned staff. Ensure oversight and quality assurance for project(s); coordinate a matrix management approach to capacity building, support, and oversight of technical and/or functional staff. Manage and continually strengthen capacity of staff, employing a matrix management approach to achieve strategic goals. Develop and monitor the country-level strategic plan in support of FHI 360’s global strategic plan and monitor landscape analysis, strategic plans, proposals, protocols, papers, reports and budget for assigned technical area of specialization. Serve as a primary point of contact for partners, subcontractors and vendors, counterparts/collaborators and stakeholders including government and donors. Support business development to maintain, grow, and diversify the business portfolio. Foster innovation and drive adoption of leading practices and provide project management and/or subject matter expertise. Establish and maintain standards within and across projects in compliance with organizational and client policies, processes, and regulations. Provide metrics and analytics to support business and executive decision-making. Support performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support; ensure this is cascaded to all project leaders and their teams across the portfolio. Perform other duties as assigned.

Accountabilities:

  • Provides leadership for a organizational unit (e.g., specialized technical area of a portfolio, a country with multiple projects, etc.) to ensure compliance with FHI 360 policies and procedures, donor requirements, and other regulations.
  • Defines strategic direction, including the development and continual refinement of frameworks, approaches, tools, specialized partnerships, monitoring and evaluation approaches, for example.
  • May oversee all operations functions including management, finance, contracts  and grants, security, legal, and human resources to compliance with company policies and procedures (internationally based Program Directors).
  • Ensures oversight and quality assurance for project(s). Coordinates a matrix management approach to capacity building, support, and oversight of technical and/or functional staff.
  • Manages and continually strengthens capacity of staff, employing a matrix management approach to achieve strategic goals.
  • Develops and monitors landscape analysis, strategic plans, proposals, protocols, papers, reports and budget for assigned technical area of specialization or country.
  • Serves as a primary point of contact for partners, subcontractors, or vendors; counterparts/collaborators and stakeholders; and donors.
  • Leads business development to maintain and/or grow the business portfolio.
  • Directs the overall design and development of proposals and resources to support or lead business development.
  • Accountable for the successful implementation of awarded projects.
  • Manages potential resource conflicts across their domain.
  • Fosters innovation and drives adoption of leading practices and provides project management and/or subject matter expertise.
  • Establishes and maintains standards within and across projects in compliance with organizational and client policies, processes and regulations.
  • Manages and promotes understanding of dependencies associated with resources and projects across the country/technical area.
  • Conducts routine reviews on business project status, actions, decisions, risks and issues, and schedules for relevant programs.
  • Provides metrics and analytics to support business and executive decision making.
  • Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

  • Expertise in area of technical specialization and/or expertise in project management and assigned country context.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts, and practices in project management, process development and execution.
  • Excellent and demonstrated public relations, policy, representation, and diplomacy skills required.
  • Ability to build positive local working relationships with local communities, district/state/national government officials, UN and other multilateral bodies and donor representatives.
  • Strong consultative and negotiation skills.
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to strategize, plan, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.
  • Ability to motivate, influence and collaborate with others.
  • Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English, fluent in host country language.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Problem Solving & Impact:

  • Decisions and actions have a significant impact on management and department and area operations.
  • Problems encountered are complex and highly varied.
  • Exercises judgment to meet strategic business goals and develops objectives and plans that align with and ensure achievement of organizational goals.

Supervision Given/Received:

  • Sets goals, objectives, timelines and budgets for projects and leads country/specialized technical area in achieving strategic goals.
  • Leads coordination of resources for ongoing projects across functional areas and addresses/resolves project issues.
  • Oversees project implementation that requires use of the Operational Model (RACI) frameworks.
  • Report to VP/ESARO.

Education:

  • Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent • 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 15+ years of relevant experience with projects management principles and practices (including 10+ years of department-level 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).
  • Demonstrated experience in sector specific multi-sector project management and implementation.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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:

  • Greater than 25%

Date Revised: 9/13/2021

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.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

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 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment  process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

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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