Technical Director - CDC Southeast Asia (TB)

FHI 360 is seeking a qualified candidate who will serve as the Technical Director for a potential US CDC-funded work that seeks to reduce tuberculosis (TB) burden and mortality in countries and settings with high TB burden in Southeast Asia by strengthening the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TB through the adoption and expansion of innovative approaches. Activities will focus on: (1) Expanding early TB diagnosis by implementing active case finding using advanced and innovative screening methods and scale-up of novel TB diagnostic approaches, (2) Advancing TB prevention interventions including expansion of TB preventive treatment to at risk populations, conducting readiness assessments and introduction of new TB vaccines, and increasing infection prevention and control capacity and support. (3) Improving TB and drug-resistant TB treatment outcomes for all individuals affected by TB by implementation of novel and shorter TB treatment regimens. 

Job Summary: 

Serves in a technical leadership role in a project aims to adopt and expand innovative approaches and design interventions to strengthen the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TB in targeted countries in Southeast Asia. Establishes and continually refines technical TB strategies, frameworks, approaches, tools, and activities to expand access to high quality diagnostics, case finding, prevention and TB treatment services. Ensures timely, responsive, and effective technical assistance is delivered to priority countries to enhance the quality of TB programming at the country level.   

Builds relationships and collaborates with stakeholders and the program team in the design, integration and implementation of TB technical activities based upon best practices, international evidence and CDC, World Health Organization, and/or country-specific strategies and objectives. Provides technical leadership to research components of the project. Identifies specialized partnership needs, engages sub-partners and resource partners to ensure high quality technical performance. Monitors all technical aspects of the project from initiation through delivery. Ensures completion of project technical deliverables meet high quality standards, are on schedule and within budget constraints. Selects, develops and evaluates personnel to ensure technical objectives are met. Mentors regional and country-level TB technical experts. Contributes project experience and learning to regional TB thought leadership initiatives. Provides significant input to business development and successfully leads new TB business development initiatives. 

Accountabilities: 

Technical Requirements: 

• Serves as the project technical lead and key point of contact for FHI 360. 

• Leads the technical operational and tactical activities for the project. 

• Ensures high quality technical deliverables—including workplans and annual reports—are developed, submitted and approved on schedule and within budget parameters, and that they are consistent with TB best practices. 

• Identifies areas for improved efficiency or effectiveness within prescribed parameters, and institutes enhancements to procedures. 

• Develops and implements technical training and capacity strengthening interventions.  

• May supervise or provide technical guidance to staff members locally and in the region. 

• Develops and implements processes and procedures to achieve strategic technical goals of the project. 

• Leads the design, development, planning, and implementation of innovative technical strategies 

• Provides direction to ensure technical activities are compliant with client agreements, government regulations and the organization’s policies and procedures. 

• Responds to client requests and questions on technical matters and ensures timely drafts and submissions of consents, approvals and/or waivers. 

• Supports the monitoring and evaluation activities of a project including contributing to the finalization and submission of project work plans, performance monitoring plans (PMPs) and quarterly, annual, and other reports. 

• Manages the relationship with all subcontracted organizations on technical matters.  

• Develops and maintains a collaborative relationship with donor/client organizations, relevant government agencies, bilateral and other NGOs/CBOs, and other key stakeholders and is consistently viewed as a knowledgeable expert in their technical area. 

• Leads technical aspects of project research components to ensure high quality and adherence to ethical standards.  

• Participates in workshops, task force groups and expert committees to identify policy, technical and programmatic gaps along the TB cascade. 

• Provides technical support in developing systems, tools, job aids, and IEC materials as required for improving TB diagnosis, treatment and prevention services, infection prevention, monitoring and supervision. 

• Enables and empowers innovation by encouraging the identification, generation and circulation of ideas, approaches, solutions and collaborations towards quality person-centered TB care. 

• Promotes project success by collecting, writing, and distributing success stories, case studies, photos, and outreach at events. 

• Attends TB regional and global events, professional meetings and conferences to represent the organization, network, share successes and ensure that latest evidence informs project activities. 

• Supports knowledge management within the project, including the capture and articulation of success stories, best practice and lessons learned and supports teams in manuscript development. 

• Directs and guides managers, and staff with training and developing process improvement initiatives to ensure compliance with company and government standards. 

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

• Identifies and consults with executive management on technical recommendations to make better business decisions. 

• Coordinates requests from country offices for technical assistance. 

• Performs other duties as assigned 

Business Development and Client Support: 

• Assists with proposal research and developing proposal strategies  

• Lead technical design of proposals 

• Develops and maintains relationships with potential clients / funders, partners, peers, etc. to develop new business. 

• Develops strategies to grow the TB portfolio. 

Applied Knowledge & Skills: 

• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with project management and technical development. 

• Excellent oral and written communication and analytical skills in English. 

• Excellent and demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills.  

• Excellent and demonstrated project management and technical skills. 

• Ability to influence, motivate, negotiate and work well with others in multicultural settings. 

• Ability to exercise judgment within generally defined practices and policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. 

• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices and policies related to the programmatic management of TB. 

• Proven ability to ensure that budgets, schedules, and performance requirements are met. 

• Excellent and demonstrated leadership skills. 

• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

Problem Solving & Impact: 

• Works on problems of complex scope that require in depth evaluation of issues and assessment of intangible factors. 

• Effectively applies knowledge of technical area to solve a range of problems. 

• Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies to select methods and techniques for obtaining results. 

• Solves complex, highly varied problems and uses critical thinking and sound judgment to obtain results. 

Supervision Given/Received: 

• Provides direct supervision of a team of technical staff in diverse geographical and cultural settings. 

• Leads and directs staff to achieve strategic project goals. 

• Coordinates with Principal Investigator to set budgets, goals, and develops procedures and training for project. 

• Develops and recommends project management solutions. 

• Mentors staff at regional and country-level on aspects of TB diagnosis, case finding, prevention and treatment. 

• Reports to the Principal Investigator. 

Education: ** ** 

• Medical doctor required. 

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Health, Public Health, or a Related Field.

Experience: ** ** 

• Minimum of 12+ years of relevant experience in technical implementation of large projects and/or programs (including 8+ years of leadership experience and strong business acumen). 

• Expertise in TB diagnostics and case finding is required 

• Experience in TB prevention and treatment, with expertise in management of TB disease and infection is required. 

• Experience in specific drug-resistant TB programming including community-based person-centered care, programmatic management of drug resistant TB, new drug introduction, and knowledge of private sector TB engagement is desirable. 

• Proven experience in implementing programmatic work in high TB burden countries is required, preferably within the Southeast Asia region. 

• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization is preferred. 

• Documented experience providing technical assistance, capacity building and business development in the field of TB.