Purpose of the position
The Project Director, Lesotho Data and Innovation Hub will serve as the point of contact for a national-scale program to foster data use in Lesotho and expand data analysis and visualization capability within the country. Reporting to the Managing Director, the Project Director will provide leadership, vision, strategic guidance, and management toward the realization of key program objectives and targets. He/she will be responsible for all aspects of the program, including management and oversight of the program’s efforts to create a sustainable center of excellence for innovation and learning in access, analysis, training, visualization, and use of public health data, including data on gender-based violence (GBV), with the potential to expand to other sectors.
The Project Director will provide strategic guidance, facilitate coordination with the donor and Government of Lesotho stakeholders and other agencies and institutions, ensure program quality, and advance the position of BroadReach as a leader in data analysis and use. He/she will guide technical and operational staff and ensure program quality, responsiveness, alignment with global and national priorities and standards, efficient use of resources, and achievement of results. The Project Director will have authority within the project team for technical, management, and resource allocation decisions. In carrying out these responsibilities, he/she will work in partnership with donor representatives and national and local government agencies and officials, non-governmental organizations, project partners, and project staff.
This position is contingent upon funding.
Key Accountabilities
- Provide overall direction for the project’s development and implementation, with technical oversight for all project components and tasks.
- Serve as the primary point of contact and ensure strong collaboration with the donor, government counterparts, academic institutions, non-governmental actors in the health and technology sectors, and other key stakeholders. Maintain high level of communication with donor points of contact concerning technical, programmatic, business and administrative aspects of award.
- Lead the establishment of an independent, collaborative, inclusive, and sustainable hub for data-driven dialogue, knowledge exchange, training, and information dissemination on topics important to the efficient functioning of the health system.
- Oversee the development and rollout of undergraduate and professional level curricula, training programs, and fellowships on data analytics and data science targeting a range of audiences.
- Design and lead a small grants program and annual data competitions to drive innovation.
- Provide leadership for data analysis, visualization, and publication activities, including providing technical assistance to government counterparts, ensuring relevance, usability, timeliness and adherence with data privacy and protection standards.
- Ensure timely and quality completion of all technical and financial deliverables and reports in accordance with donor and national guidelines.
- Supervise the work and assess the performance of senior project staff, long- and short-term advisors, and consultants. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being and ensure the work environment fosters diversity, gender equality and inclusion.
- Manage relationships with partner organizations and coordinate the roles and activities of staff from partner organizations in implementation in line with BroadReach partnership principles.
- Support the project team in monitoring the progress and pace of project implementation, assuring that the full potential of the program is realized through the promotion of high-quality work and internal cost control.
- Coordinate with finance staff to oversee streamlined operational and financial processes and provide financial management capacity building to client organizations. Ensure compliance with the financial and administrative requirements of the award.
- Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge in public health and GBV data sources and systems, data analytics and health informatics, data privacy, digital innovation, and information technology.
- Represent BroadReach programming, highlighting innovative work. Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with client and BroadReach branding and marking requirements and procedures.
Qualifications
Essential qualifications
- A Master’s degree or higher in data science, data analytics, data management or other relevant subject; or a bachelor’s degree and more than 15 years of specific data analytics and management experience.
Experience & Skills
Required
- At least 8 years of experience implementing training programs, innovation programs, digital health programs and/or other relevant experience.
- Demonstrated success in working with and analyzing health and GBV data.
- Proven experience leading teams and managing large projects.
- At least 2 years of experience working in a low, lower middle- or middle-income country; direct experience working with the health system in Lesotho and strong understanding of the ICT and data landscape strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to manage donor funded projects, including financial, human resource, compliance and quality assurance components with preference given to candidates with knowledge of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) rules and regulations.
- Ability to travel locally and internationally.
- Strong verbal and written skills in English.
Preferred
- Experience with fellowship placements and a strong network in Lesotho to facilitate this.
- Experience designing and managing small grants programs and/or innovation competitions.
- Proven track record of convening stakeholders and facilitating cross-learning and collaboration.
Personal Qualities & Behavioural Competencies
- Ability to collaborate and work with cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong analytical reasoning skills
- Self-motivated and able to effectively prioritize and plan work.
- Ability to work effectively across a number of projects.
- Highly organized with a strong focus on attention to detail.
- Solution focused.
- Committed to high standards and continuous improvement
- Good influencing and interpersonal skills with people at all levels
- Ability to operate in a high-pressure environment with conflicting priorities and tight timelines
- Resourceful, creative and innovative approach to work
- Ability to build rapport and credibility with stakeholders
Capabilities
Winning, Enabling and Delivery of Projects
- Opportunity Development, Capture Management, Proposal Development, Organized, Disciplined, Analytical
People Leadership/Self Leadership
- Selections, Development, Delegation, Example, Self-Confidence, Independently responsible, Curiosity, Change Management
Strategic and Holistic Decision Making
- Governance and legal awareness, Financial acumen, Risk management, Strategic perspective
Relationship Management
- Institutional Representations, Taking the long view, Building common ground, Mutual respect, Responsiveness, Standing for the other, Engagement