Technical Director, PROPEL Health Project

Organization
Abt Associates (Abt) is a mission-driven global leader in research, evaluation, and program implementation in the fields of international development, health, and social and environmental policy. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 international development innovators and is a top-5 USAID contractor. Across the globe, Abt pioneers research on what causes some of the world's most challenging health problems and delivers solutions. We work to improve health systems and policy to ensure access to quality care for medical issues ranging from reproductive and maternal health to health governance and systems strengthening to infectious disease control. Abt currently manages over 150 contracts and agreements in the health sector in a wide range of technical areas, including service delivery, decentralization policy and implementation, health financing, governance and citizen engagement, human resources for health, and private sector engagement and strengthening. For more information see: https://www.abtassociates.com/ .
Opportunity
The PROPEL (Promoting Results and Outcomes through Policy and Economic Levers) health project aims to strengthen the enabling environment for family planning (FP) and reproductive health (RH) through improvements in policy, advocacy, financing, and governance. The project expects to work across FP/RH and policy, advocacy, financing, and governance (PAFG). Within its global scope, PROPEL will focus on USAID Population and Reproductive Health Bureau priority countries (click here for the list) and the seven additional Ouagadougou Partnership countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Togo). A key focus of PROPEL will be the integration of FP/RH with HIV/AIDS and maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) programs, policies, and care. Across programmatic areas, the project will build local capacity and further enable sustainable health systems to adequately address FP/RH. Other priorities include digital health, gender equity, youth, and health system resilience, including responsiveness to health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working closely with the Project Director, the Technical Director will be a key contributor to the leadership, management, and strategic direction of PROPEL. S/he will guide senior technical staff and ensure responsiveness and quality of all technical work. S/he will ensure the efficient use of resources to achieve project objectives including the oversight of project budget and personnel conducting technical activities. The Technical Director will support building and maintaining effective relationships with USAID, project partners and local counterparts and identify opportunities for collaboration, thought leadership, and knowledge sharing across countries and regions.
- The position will be based in Abt's Rockville, Maryland office.
- This position is contingent upon USAID award to Abt Associates.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Under direction of the Project Director, lead development, implementation, and oversight of technical strategies and interventions in policy, advocacy, financing, and governance and related areas that strengthen the enabling environment for FP/RH.
- Collaborate with project staff and external partners to develop global, multi-sectoral, cross-cutting technical strategies, partnerships, and plans which include state of the art, evidence-based interventions
- Support capacity development of government and other local stakeholders in target countries to develop and implement policies, advocacy, financing, and governance that support FP/RH
- Supervise technical leads and teams to deliver efficient, effective results for project activities.
- Adapt and integrate state of the art approaches, emerging knowledge, and innovative solutions within project activities; provide thought leadership on FP/RH and related topics, such as digital health, private sector engagement, integration of FP/RH services with other health services, reaching underserved groups such as youth, and cross-sectoral approaches.
- Produce technical program budgets, annual work plans, semi-annual reports, and other reports as needed.
- Meet and exceed quality standards and ensure technical deliverables are of high quality, timely and on budget; oversee monitoring and evaluation of the technical components of the project.
- Represent technical work of the project and Abt Associates at external events, technical working groups, and international fora.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least 12 years of experience in international health programming and implementation
- Advanced degree in public health, business administration, public administration, international relations; clinical qualifications a plus.
- At least 5 years technical and program management experience on large and complex international health projects; experience with USAID strongly preferred.
- Technical expertise in policy, advocacy, financing, and governance for FP/RH and related services.
- Proven ability to gather data and document program activities, successes, and lessons learned.
- Experience partnering with local organizations or NGOs in developing countries to develop capacity for better FP/RH outcomes; works effectively with diverse people at all levels of government or private sector (health, other) in target countries.
- Demonstrated supervisory experience; able to assemble and manage teams to respond to assignments in home and country offices.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to train, mentor and coach others.
- Fluency in English with strong oral and written communication. Proficiency in other languages, especially French, is preferred.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree + Fifteen years of relevant experience, or Master's Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or PhD + Ten years of relevant experience
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and compreh ensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
#LI-SH1
The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance-as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.
At Abt Associates, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.