Director of MEAL

Job Description

Job Summary

FHI 360 is seeking a Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) for the USAID GH Social and Behavior Change (GH SBC) Activity. GH SBC is a five-year cooperative agreement that aims to increase implementation of theory-informed, evidence-based, locally-led social and behavior change programming. The Director of MERL is an advanced subject matter expert who sets technical design and direction and consults for one or more large, highly complex technical units of a functional domain in the areas of MERL. The MERL Director will serve as the technical lead for all MERL activities conducted under the project, overseeing a team of research, M&E, knowledge management and communications advisors. In this role they will be responsible for overseeing the strategic design of MERL systems, processes, and tools; implementation of MERL activities; and documentation and dissemination of results and learning. Ensures quality of existing activities across the award. Sets agenda to guide the investment of resources in a technical space. Oversees all aspects of work globally. Establishing and monitoring best practices. Leads business development. Leads staff members’ development and mentoring. Overall responsibility for budget and regulatory compliance. Main point of contact with donors and stakeholders on technical matters. Leads large complex technical components of the organization and is accountable for developing the technical strategic and operational plans, goals, and policies.

Accountabilities

Technical Requirements:

• Works on problems that are routine in nature and are standard procedures and policies
• Exercises judgment within defined practices and policies to perform duties
• Responsible for planning and scheduling own workflow and timetables, within technical area and function guidelines
• Strategic focus for all activities, independent of degree of complexity
• Considered a technical expert in their field by internal and external entities
• Creates local, national, and / or regional guidelines and normative policies for subject matter areas of expertise
• Interprets findings and makes recommendations for improvements
• Performs other duties as assigned

Project Design Implementation:

• Oversees the creation of the technical portion of the project plan of a complex project within the given resource and financial constraints
• Communicates the planned budget to project financial roles
• Provide technical leadership in design, development, planning, implementation; and capacity- building of specific technical components of the project
• Provides broad global technical leadership to multiple components with broad scope
• Influences design and scope of initiatives
• Ensures technical implementation is consistent with best practices in the industry/subject and meet client / funder contractual obligations for one or more large, highly complex technical units of a functional domain
• Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components
• Continually maintains a dialogue and technical exchange with field counterparts and technical staff members of implementing partners
• Overall responsibility for ensuring that all global activities are conducted and reported in accordance with requirements

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

• Lead proposal research and design
• Gives Proposal Design Lead budget elements for technical design
• Develops and maintains relationships with potential clients / funders, partners, peers, etc. to develop new business
• Set strategy for driving new technical business
• Leads developing proposal strategies
• Leads business development meetings with partners / clients
• Leads the development of strategies to grow the business
• Approves proposals and the components of the proposals of other units and the other higher levels (develop strategies to grow the business, lead design, etc.) are appropriate.
• Lead client / funder meetings
• Prepare sponsor reports and presentations
• Point of contact with client / funder for activities
• Maintains collaborative relationships with donor / client organizations, relevant government agencies, bilateral and other NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and consistently maintained and viewed as a knowledgeable resource in their technical area
• Participate in client / funder meetings and draft reports / presentations
• Partner/Sub-Award Management:
• Finalizes partner / sub awards in conjunction with CMS (Contract Management Services)
• Ensures that FHI IP (Intellectual Property) is protected
• Leads the relationship with clients and partners

Staff Leadership and Training:

• May supervise team members, monitor performance, and lead professional development efforts
• Establishes competency and continuing education systems
• Ensures that staff members are qualified for delegated tasks

Project/Program Reporting:

• Prepares sponsor financial and technical reports
• Leads the presentation of deliverables, output, and results to sponsors
• Leads the development of peer reviewed publications and external communications arising from project work
• Ensures the accuracy and English correctness of all reports / outputs
• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the effectiveness of the technical components of a project and makes recommendations for enhancements
• Creates local, national, and/or regional guidelines and normative policies for subject matter areas of expertise.

Quality Assurance:

• Ensures technical deliverables and implementation are consistent with best practices in the industry / subject and meet client / funder contractual obligations for one or more large, overly complex technical units of a functional domain
• Proactively identifies risks or challenges to technical deliverables and creates mitigation plan
• Ensures the quality of implemented technical activities and systems at all levels

Applied Knowledge & Skills

• Assists senior management in determining organization objectives, and interprets organization policies
• Establishes organizational policies in a major segment of the technical area
• Interprets, executes, and recommends modifications to organization-wide policies
• Demonstrates realistic budgeting and fiscal accountability
• Represents the organizational unit as internal and external contact
• Conducts briefings and technical meetings for top management and customer representatives
• Considered an expert in their technical field of study or knowledge area
• Informed of current project developments in division/unit/technical area
• Oversee and lead projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities
• Familiar with donor/client funded projects and corresponding regulations and communication styles
• Written and published materials related to technical area e.g., journal articles, job aids, training curricula, and other tools
• Interacts with equivalent level managers concerning matters of significance to the company
• In-depth understanding of the external environment and how it affects the industry in general and organization, including political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences.
• In-depth and deep understanding of the structure, operations, human resources and finances of the organization and the complexities of their interdependencies

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Often advises and creates plans based on analysis of issues and trends, and how these link to the responsibilities, capabilities, and potential of the technical area
• Scans an ever-changing, complex environment in anticipation of emerging crises and opportunities
• Erroneous decisions will affect the financial, employee or public relations posture of the organization
• Faulty decisions or recommendation will result in failure to achieve major goals and objectives of the organization
• Problems encountered often involve multiple departments, programs, or projects
• Problems are often complex, broad in scope and implications, and often unprecedented with no clear resolution
• Resolution requires in-depth analysis, cross-functional assessment and understanding of the organization’s strategic direction and must consider the complex interdependencies related to the problem
• Supervision Given/Received:
• Directs and controls the activities of one or more technical functional areas within multiple countries
• Completed work is reviewed, from a long-term perspective, for desired results
• Contributes to development of organization’s strategic plan
  Develops well-informed advice and strategies that are sensitive to the various needs of multiple stakeholders and partners, reflect the strategic direction of the department and position the company for success
• Overall responsibility for the planning and implementation of budgets within those functional areas
• Typically reports to a Director

Education

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Knowledge/Information Services, Communications, Education, Environment, Health, Behavioral, Life/Social Sciences International Development, Human Development or Related Field.
• Doctorate Degree Preferred
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred

Experience

• Typically requires a minimum of 15+ years of relevant experience in a specialized technical/medical field of study – may manage activities of lower-level staff, however, main function is individual contributor
• Documented experience as invited speaker/presenter at relevant conferences/meetings, authorship of technical/service delivery guidelines, and significant contribution to peer- reviewed publications
• Experience developing strategy and/or performance standards for projects/services in the technical area
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization
• International or Domestic (US) Program Development or Program management 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 or 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.