Project Director, EpiC

Job Summary:  

FHI 360 is recruiting a Project Director located in Kingston, Jamaica to lead the EpiC project. This position is open to Jamaican nationals.  

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is an eight-year (2019–2027) global health initiative project funded by President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the United States Government (USG). EpiC has a global presence and extensive breadth and depth of technical experience. In FY26, EpiC’s scope in Jamaica will focus on strengthening global health security (GHS) capacity and systems, which may include strengthening outbreak preparedness and response systems, disease surveillance, infection prevention and control, zoonotic diseases, laboratory systems, biosafety and biosecurity, risk communication and community engagement, and health emergency management. The new Project Director will lead the EpiC GHS project.  

The Project Director leads and directs implementation of the EpiC project to enhance global health priorities in country.   Will have technical and management responsibility for all activities, personnel, and budget/spending. The Project Director serves as the project’s primary liaison with Department of State counterparts at Post, local government, and other GHS implementing partners working in country in addition to overseeing any subcontractors/subgrantees operating in country. The Project Director will lead the development and implementation of annual work plans, monitoring and evaluation activities, technical and financial reporting, and other administrative elements of the Activities.  

Accountabilities: 

• Responsible for providing technical and managerial leadership to the implementation of the EpiC project in Jamaica and ensures compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Plans, directs, and coordinates implementation of Activities to ensure that goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed timeframes and funding parameters. 

• Establishes work plans, teams, and SOPs to meet Activity goals and ensure compliance with policies. 

• Directly manages technical, financial and operational staff responsible for all aspects of the Activities. Responsible for creating, promoting, and maintaining safe and equitable work environments for all personnel, including a harassment- and violence-free work culture, and systems for safeguarding Activity participants. 

• Manages in-country relationships with national, regional, and local government counterparts, and multisectoral partners to fulfill national global health security objectives and targets and operationalize implementing activities.  

• Serves as the primary point of contact and collaboration for the team and in-country partners, including Department of State, implementation partners, government partners, and other key partners.   

• Leads in-country team and liaises with Activity leadership at the global level to define, develop, implement, monitor and adjust technical workplans, budgets, presentations, management plans, and reports.  

• Ensures on-time delivery of high-quality deliverables and reports.  

• Provides guidance and training to managers and staff to achieve Activity goals. 

• Responsible for onboarding of Activity staff, ensuring their familiarity with organizational and Activity values, quality standards, policies and procedures and their individual responsibilities in upholding them. 

Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support. 

Applied Knowledge & Skills:  

• Strong expertise in public health technical and programmatic areas (particularly diagnostics, surveillance, infection prevention and control or other relevant areas desired).  

• Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices with project management, process development and execution. Familiarity with international Global Health Security frameworks and initiatives, particularly in relation to Department of State’s Programs and priorities, is highly preferred.  

• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills, including leadership to develop annual work plans and deliverables to Department of State while overseeing the Activity’s monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure achievement of Activity goals and objectives.  

• Articulate, professional, and diplomatic with ability to communicate using a clear and positive manner with clients and staff.  

• Strong influencing, negotiation, and collaboration skills. Prior experience developing partnerships and managing relationships with Department of State, host country government, key partners, and other implementing partners in country is highly preferred. 

• Demonstrated leadership skills managing staff within a matrixed organization.  Prior experience working in an international non-governmental organization (INGO) a plus.  

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of the Activity. 

Problem Solving & Impact:  

• Problems encountered are complex and highly varied; decisions and actions have a significant impact on Activity implementation. 

• Exercises judgment to meet business strategies and develops objectives that align with donor and Activity goals. 

• Quickly identifies and notifies management of potential issues during implementation. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. 

Supervision Given/Received: 

• Sets goals and budgets and leads in-country team to achieve strategic goals. 

• Supervises a team of local staff. 

• Leads coordination of resources for Activity implementation addresses/resolves Activity issues. 

• Reports to the Health Programs Project Manager 

• May serve as country representative for the FHI 360 Jamaica office.  

Education: ** 

• Bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent in public health or other health-related fields related to the functions of the position. 

• Master’s degree or Doctor of Medicine (MD) or its international equivalent preferred. 

• Project management certification preferred.  

Experience: ** 

• Requires 10+ years of relevant experience with an emphasis on public health and project management principles and practices, including 5+ years of managing staff. 

• Proficient with applicable Department of State or other donor rules, regulations, and policies  

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working on the management and implementation of human and/or animal health projects and interventions for infectious diseases.  

• Knowledge and experience working on Global Health Security and/or MNCH projects or activities preferred; experience working across multiple sectors (e.g. One Health) desirable. 

• Demonstrated experience developing and mentoring staff and building capacity of local teams and partners. 

• Demonstrated experience in managing complex, multidisciplinary projects and/or activities. 

• Professional proficiency in English language (read, write, speak) is required.  

• Experience operating in insecure environments. 

• Experience working in an NGO is preferred. 

• Experience working in a Government Human, Animal or Environmental Health Ministry/Agency is desirable. 

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, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.  

Travel Requirements: 

• 10-25% (mostly domestic) 

**Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience sufficient to successfully perform the key responsibilities of the job. This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.