Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
Reproductive Health Topics Publications & Resources Professional Education Newsroom Membership Policy & Advocacy About Us
Job Board
Send To A Friend Send To A Friend Bookmark this Page Share this page
Job Board

Program Director



Date Posted: 10/16/2012
Organization: Pathfinder International
Location: Watertown, MA

Description of Organization:
Pathfinder International’s mission is to ensure that people everywhere have the right and opportunity to live a healthy sexual and reproductive life. Since 1957, it has been the preeminent provider of client-centered, family planning (FP) and reproductive health (RH) services (including adolescent sexual and reproductive health) in more than 120 countries around the world, and has become a recognized global leader in the areas of maternal and newborn health (MNH) as well as HIV/AIDS programming, with particular emphasis on institutional strengthening and grants management. Pathfinder is well-known for its effective approach of building the capacity of public, private, and NGO sector agencies to sustain the provision of high-quality services. The organization has extensive experience designing, implementing, managing, and monitoring programs throughout the developing world. Pathfinder is recognized for its innovative and responsive approaches to meeting health needs at the community level, its ability to collaborate effectively with various levels of government and create functional public-private partnerships, and its work to build the capacity of its partners to strengthen local skills and foster institutionalization and sustainability through technical assistance, training, and grants.

Position Responsibilities:
Programs Department Overview The Program Directors each lead and supervise a Country Management Team as part of Pathfinder’s Programs Department. The Programs Department, in collaboration with Country Representatives and under the guidance of the Vice President of Programs, is responsible for determining and overseeing strategic programs that will ensure the alignment of technical realities with Pathfinder’s projects in the field. In addition to three Country Management teams, The Department consists of three additional units, namely Technical Services Unit, Program Systems Unit and Research&Metrics Unit, which together provide management and technical leadership to field programs, as well as documentation of project outcomes. Position Purpose As a specialist in international public health and the management of large complex sexual and reproductive health programs, the Program Director will have oversight of a portfolio of country office programs. As head of their Country Management Team, s/he will also oversee staff that will act as primary headquarters backstop for the country programs. S/he will serve as the primary representative at HQ of these country programs, and will be responsible for the provision of programmatic support and for the enlistment and coordination of support from other HQ departments to country. S/he will oversee and manage administrative support for country program operations, assist with country program proposals, strategies, work plans and assessments, and will supervise subproject development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. S/he will assist in new business development initiatives, at the request of the VP of Programs and in coordination with the Director of New Business Development and the VP of Resource Development. Key Responsibilities Strategic Management - For the countries that s/he oversees, serve as a liaison between Country Offices and HQ departments, USAID, CDC, other donors, Cooperating Agencies and subcontractors regarding program strategies and project implementation. Using a results centered approach, provide technical leadership and management support to field programs, ensuring that project work is in alignment with donor goals, objectives and expected results. - Provide strategic leadership and guidance to Country Representative/Chief of Party (CR/COP) in the alignment of program and organizational priorities and promote effective communications and accountability. This includes overseeing the alignment of work plans, budgets, and goals/objectives with Pathfinder’s Strategic Framework. Work with CR/COP to produce country-specific strategic plan(s). - Act as primary country program liaison with Pathfinder’s Executive Team, keeping members informed of country programs’ needs, budget issues, strategic planning issues, etc. Keep country offices updated on issues identified by the Executive Team as priorities. - As primary HQ liaison for CR/COP, facilitate access to appropriate HQ resources and staff, ensure compliance with project reporting and other deadlines, provide learning and training opportunities, and provide feedback on performance. - Oversee monitoring of achievements of program and project objectives for all agreements, contracts, and grants in assigned country offices; oversee and assist with the preparation of quarterly and annual reports, annual reviews, and workplans as required. - Work with country office staff to adapt project management systems in keeping with terms of various awards. - Participate in coordination of systems for developing, processing and monitoring projects, including: subprojects proposal review and processing; communication of questions and comments to country offices about projects; preparation and tracking of required documents for project administration such as work plans, monitoring reports, consultant reports, project modifications, closures, and databases. - With Technical Services Unit, identify and support technical assistance needs and periodically review technical approaches to ensure appropriateness of approach as well as quality and standards of excellence; - With Research & Metrics Unit, identify appropriate indicators at project start-up, ensure timely and accurate reporting, and, jointly with Country Reps/COPs, evaluate program effectiveness and engage in performance monitoring throughout the life of the project. - Travel to country offices as needed for the purpose of providing management support, support for new business development or as requested by the Vice President of Programs. - Supervise a team consisting of program advisors, officers, coordinators, and assistants that also support the field offices. Finance - In coordination with Pathfinder’s Finance Department, ensure that proposal and project budget development is in alignment with project needs, monitor country-level program and project expenditures, review annual allocation balances, and make recommendations to country and HQ staff about obligations, commitments and pipeline levels. - Collaborate with Country Representative to oversee management of budget monitoring, spending, burn rate, etc. - Oversee the coordination of external procurement of short-term technical assistance to the country or project, including: assistance in the identification, and recruitment, of consultants for the technical assistance needs of Pathfinder's country program; review and distribution of consultant technical reports. Administrative Systems - As primary liaison for country programs with the Programs Department units, coordinate with the Program Systems Unit to keep up-to-date the Field Operations Manual and ensure country office compliance with systems, policies, regulations and procedures - Oversee the administration of consultants, consultant agreements, payments, and travel arrangements. Organizational Representation - Represent Pathfinder's country programs to donors, Cooperating Agencies and other interested parties, as directed by the Vice President of Programs. New Business Development - Work with New Business Development Unit and Institutional Giving Unit to identify new business opportunities in-country, and ensure in-country support in identifying and securing such opportunities. - In coordination with the New Business Development Unit and Institutional Giving Unit, assist in the preparation of program funding proposals, best and final submissions, concept papers, LOIs and other assignments related to new business development initiatives. This work will be undertaken as requested by the Vice President of Programs. - In coordination with other Programs Department Units, assist in the preparation of funding proposals, strategies, work plans and assessments including coordination of activities among country and HQ staff; compilation and analysis of relevant data, materials and documents; and other required activities to meet Pathfinder or donor requirements. Human Resources - In coordination with HQ Human Resources Department and Country Office, ensure appropriate staffing at country level; assist in identifying, recruiting and interviewing for key positions; oversee country office personnel issues. Dissemination and Communications - Identify opportunities for writing and disseminating successful models, programs and interventions, as well as country level stories that illustrate the impact of Pathfinder’s work. - Act as primary liaison with the Communications Unit to ensure standardization of messaging, quality of outside communications, and updating of country websites with timely information. With the assistance of the Technical Services Unit, ensure quality presentations at country and international meetings. Advocacy - Act as primary liaison between the Advocacy Unit and field offices, ensuring information is shared concerning relevant US government SRH policies, as well as keeping Advocacy Unit up-to-date on relevant in-country policies. Carry out other duties as assigned by VP of Programs.

Qualifications:
Basic Requirements - Minimum of ten years work experience related to the design, implementation, monitoring and management of family planning, sexual and reproductive health programs, preferably in a developing country. - Master’s degree in related field, e.g., Public Health, Public Administration or Social Sciences. - Knowledge of regulations and requirements of USAID, CDC and other donor agencies. - Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, management, fiscal accountability, fundraising and problem solving. - Proven experience, knowledge, and commitment to: international development, reproductive health, family planning, and/or HIV/AIDS work. - Ability and experience in management of a diverse and multi-cultural staff. - Excellent analytical and organizational skills. - Excellent written and oral communication aptitude and strong interpersonal skills. - Computer literacy (e.g., Windows-based computer skills) - Proven ability to work independently. - Ability and willingness to travel internationally up to 25%. - Strong French speaking and writing skills - Third language is an asset

Apply To:
Please apply online at: http://www.pathfinder.org/about-us/careers/employment-opportunities/

[back]