Project Director

 

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

 

Department

Program Delivery (PDEL) – Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Program Delivery Team, contributes to realizing this purpose by: Forging smart partnerships and treating all people with dignity and respect; Applying organizational policies and regulatory compliance appropriately and consistently; Facilitating team spirit among colleagues and promoting the organization through communications; Influencing decision makers through focused, relevant communications; Continually striving to learn and share knowledge and find small ways to make the workplace more enjoyable for all; Cultivating and harvesting innovation; Contributing to the organization’s ability to think and act strategically at all times; Inspiring and spreading our desired organizational culture across the global enterprise.

Position Overview

Pact is recruiting for a Project Director for a one-year project based in Pretoria, South Africa – New Partnership Initiative (NPI) – Global Health, COVID-19 program, which will support interventions that will build upon and expand USAID’s efforts to leverage the roles of communities to strengthen and adapt existing community health platforms to support national policies and implementation plans for COVID-19 preparedness and response (non-pharmaceutical interventions) and continuity of existing primary healthcare services based on national guidelines and needs/priorities to create lasting structures for future response.

The Project Director will provide technical leadership, strategic planning, and operational oversight for overall implementation of the program and will serve as the primary liaison with USAID, project partners, and relevant project stakeholders. The Project Director will have primary responsibility for achieving and executing the project’s vision and strategy, managing critical relationships with key partners to maximize synergy and collaboration, and ensuring that all contractual requirements are met on time and within budget. This position is contingent upon award.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall technical direction of the project and management of project activities, providing leadership to the project team to ensure high quality programming and alignment with USAID’s NPI principles to achieve project results.
• Serve as the project’s primary liaison with USAID, partners, governments, and other key project stakeholders.
• Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and operating budget) and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and reports).
• Manage project budget to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact resources.
• Ensure provision of high-quality technical assistance to local implementing partners; conduct regular monitoring and mentoring visits to local partners.
• Ensure that all project reporting requirements are met to the highest standards.
• Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ensure close coordination with other relevant global, regional and in-country initiatives.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID’s programmatic leadership and the role of Pact and its local partners in the COVID-19 response.
• Broker and manage relationships and collaborative ventures with private sector partners.
• Provide regular written/oral program progress updates as requested.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in a relevant field, such as public health, or international development.
• Minimum of 8 years of senior-level experience in managing a complex activity in multiple countries, including prior Chief of Party, Team Leader, or Technical Director experience with proven project management, leadership, change/transformation management, and technical skills.
• At least 10 years of experience working on infectious diseases, health and/or civil society assistance programs in developing or transitional countries.
• Significant experience with USAID programming at country and global levels.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing diverse teams of employees.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and creative problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ethical management practices.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with governments and civil society partners.
• Professional-level English language skills (written and oral).
• Ability to travel within South Africa.
• South African nationals or permanent residents preferred.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.