PROJECT DIRECTOR

Job Description

AVIS DE RECRUTEMENT

EpiC Burkina Faso Project Director 

Job Code: PROG11016

Job Family : Programs

Compensation Band : M  FLSA : Exempt

About FHI 360 and EpiC

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing—creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project is an eightyear (2019–2027) global health project initially funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). EpiC operates in approximately 50 countries, addressing key public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, pandemic preparedness, and global health security. In Burkina Faso, EpiC is continuing its HIV work and expanding into additional technical areas such as global health security (GHS), maternal and child health (MCH), and nutrition. EpiC is recruiting a Project Director located in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This position is contingent on project award. This position is open to Burkinabé nationals, those residing in Burkina Faso with independent work authorization, and third country national locals. 

Job Summary:

The EpiC Burkina Faso Project Director provides overall leadership, management, and strategic direction for the EpiC project in Burkina Faso. The Project Director will oversee the implementation of the EpiC HIV, GHS, MCH, and nutrition portfolio in country. They will ensure that project goals and objectives are achieved within the prescribed time frame and funding parameters. They will serve as the primary point of contact for EpiC activities in Burkina Faso and provide technical and management leadership to the country project and ensure successful implementation of the work plan, monitoring of expenditures in lines with the approved budget, achievement of the project’s targets and goals, and identification, mitigation and escalation of risk. They will be required to coordinate and work with a diverse group of organizations and stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health, senior government officials, country health staff, international and national development partner organizations, and the United States Government (USG) donor representatives.

Working in close collaboration with the EpiC headquarters (HQ) team, the Project Director plans and directs project implementation and monitors budget/spending from startup through closeout. They lead the project team in the planning of project activities ensuring completion of the project on schedule and within budget constraints. 

Accountabilities:

• Direct overall project vision, design, planning and implementation.
• Ensure internal management systems for contracting, recruitment, and delivery; move rapidly to respond to the demands for service delivery on the ground.
• Foster innovation and new ideas for better targeted, and more cost-efficient and effective strategies to reach key populations and retain them in services.
• Develop, manage and maintain strategic partnerships among a variety of stakeholders, partners, governments, civil society and donor organizations.
• Ensure that targets agreed upon with US Government funding agency(ies) are met, on budget and on time.
• Identify opportunities and negotiate partnership programs to leverage other synergistic donor, governmental and organizational resources.
• Supervise technical, management and operations, and strategic information staff to carry out activities designed in cooperation with the donor; in so doing, ensure activities are fully accomplished, meet expected technical and management quality standards, and are delivered on schedule.
• Work closely with EpiC HQ on the development of annual work plans and budgets for timely submission to and approval by USG to implement those plans.
• Serve as the primary contact to the global EpiC HQ project team.
• Serve as primary point of contact with USAID/Department of State Burkina Faso staff and ensure communications flow smoothly between project and donor team by maintaining a collaborative working relationship.
• Oversee technical and management reviews, to identify and escalate risks, address performance challenges and highlight accomplishments to ensure the program moves forward in a compliant manner.
• Ensure solid and regular communication and engagement with both core and other strategic partners, providing them with technical guidance and oversight to ensure optimal participation in the project.
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring that program is adequately monitored, and that evaluative thinking is incorporated appropriately into the program wherever possible.
• Guide technical and organizational capacity building initiatives with local partners and senior staff to ensure delivery of high-quality training, technical assistance, and reports.
• Represent the project in advancing evidence-based and innovative strategies and approaches on a global, regional and local level.
• Serve as a member of the FHI 360 Burkina Faso Senior Leadership Team and provide input and assistance to the management of the country program, develop country program strategy, business plans, operational plans and budgets.
• Create, promote, and maintain a safe and equitable work environment for all personnel, including a harassment- and violence-free work culture, and systems for safeguarding project participants.
• Research sources for potential funding and contribute to proposal development, as requested.
• Provide guidance and training to the project team (staff and consultants) to achieve project goals.
• Provide leadership to the project team, ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, encouraging effective teamwork.
• Responsible for onboarding of project staff, ensuring their familiarity with mandate values, quality standards, policies and project objectives and their individual responsibilities in upholding these standards and policies.
• Support performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices with project management, process development and execution.
• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.
• Ability to motivate, influences, and collaborates with others.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with stakeholders, government officials, and donor representatives.

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree or its International Equivalent

• Civil Society, Communication and Social Marketing, Economic Development, Education, the Environment, Gender, Health, Nutrition, Research, Technology and Youth or a Related Fields; master’s degree preferred.

• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience: 

• Typically requires 10+ years of relevant experience with project management principles and practices (including 5+ years of line management experience).
• Proficient with applicable rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Experience in managing large, complex and high-quality health projects, with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following technical areas:
• 1) HIV service delivery projects,
• 2) global health security,
• 3) maternal and child health, and/or
• 4) nutrition. Experience in managing USAID- and PEPFAR-supported projects preferred.
• Experience in leadership in establishing and maintaining positive working relationships and partnerships with major stakeholders including governments, donor agencies, partners, and community networks in at least one of the four technical areas.
• Experience in overseeing all aspects of international donor-funded projects, with a preference for USAID and PEPFAR, including program and financial management, human resources, compliance, and quality assurance.
• Demonstrated strategic planning, staff development and capacity building experience.
• Proactive in managing multiple tasks, managing and working in the virtual work environment, and flexible and open to managing time for working with different teams in different time zones as needed.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, coordination and collaboration, team building and management, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English and French.
• Experience operating in insecure environments.
• Experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO).

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screens and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and 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, Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• 10% – 25%

Application files

• The application files must exclusively contain the following documents:
• A detailed, updated and signed CV (maximum 4 pages).
• A dated and signed cover letter (maximum 2 pages).
• The contact information (full names, phone number, address, and position) of three (3) referees.
• A photocopy of the required diploma.

NB:

• The job title you are applying for must be clearly indicated in the email subject line as follows: “EpiC Project Director _ FirstName&LastName”.
• Any submission with an unspecified email subject will not be considered.
• Certified copies of degrees and employment certificates will be requested from shortlisted candidates.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Interested individuals who meet the above-mentioned criteria are invited to send their application to the following email address: burkina.recruitment@fhi360.org no later than July 11th 2025.

FHI 360 offers competitive compensation.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all and does not engage in any discriminatory practices against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status.

FHI 360 reserves the right not to proceed with this recruitment process.

FHI 360 does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application submission, shortlisting, selection, etc.)