The Family Planning Advisor works on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Knowledge SUCCESS Program, in FHI 360’s Research Utilization division, under the Global Health, Population & Nutrition business unit. Knowledge SUCCESS is USAID’s flagship award for family planning research utilization/knowledge management. Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (JHU/CCP) leads the award and FHI 360 is the primary partner. The Family Planning Advisor position is the only key position for the award that is not a JHU/CCP position and is a high-profile, high-priority position for the strategic placement of FHI 360 in the USAID family planning sphere. S/he provides global technical leadership on family planning and represents FHI 360 and the Knowledge SUCCESS project at key technical meetings where knowledge and evidence are presented and exchanged; liaises with important technical stakeholders in the field who inform, advocate, and set family planning policy; and provides Technical Support and input for technical documents, such as policy documents, training tools and resources, provider job aids, and consumer-facing informational materials.  The Family Planning Advisor specializes in family planning, with specific expertise in a developing- country setting, in social norm change, community-based provision of contraceptives, and engagement with faith-based leaders.

Project Specific Tasks:

• Provide family planning technical expertise and guidance to set annual work plan and track and meet deliverables


• Help manage the Knowledge SUCCESS content contributions from West Africa, East, Central, and Southern Africa, and Asia, including setting strategic priorities, assigning responsibilities, reviewing products, and assuring quality


• Represent Knowledge SUCCESS at relevant regional technical working groups and manage regional strategic partnerships to achieve project goals


• Serve as a regional FP technical expert for the project; act as a liaison to regional project partners, providing technical support as required


• Provide technical oversight to  regional KM technical staff


• Act as primary FHI 360 technical representative to the project, meeting with the management team, partner organizations, and donor as required


• Represent the project and FHI 360 at other technical meetings and global conferences, with an emphasis on regional partnerships, promoting both the project and organization’s Research Utilization division

Accountabilities:

• Provides overall responsibility for shaping and implementing technical strategic direction for the family planning aspects of the project, in Coordination with Project Director and AOR (Agreement Officer's Representative)


• Works closely with Project Director and other technical staff to maintain quality assurance of technical (family planning, reproductive health, and knowledge management) project deliverables


• Serves as key technical representative in relevant U.S.-based and regional/country meetings in West Africa, East, Central, and Southern Africa, and Asia, and at global conferences


• Provides input into technical project reports and communications pieces, specifically related to family planning


• Provides oversight and guidance to regional technical staff (knowledge management advisors)


• Performs other duties as required

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of and demonstrated ability to apply evidence-based research utilization concepts, practices, and framework, specifically related to family planning


• Strong technical expertise in family planning and sexual/reproductive health in a developing-country context


• Experience providing high-profile leadership for USAID/US-funded award in family planning


• Demonstrated ability to manage people and projects to meet the goals of Knowledge SUCCESS


• Solid critical thinking and problem-solving skills


• Demonstrated understanding and experience in knowledge management methodologies related to family planning


• Ability to motivate, influence, and work well with others to achieve the goals of the project


• Experienced in development and oversight of knowledge Management Systems and work processes and in identifying family planning/reproductive health knowledge management needs and solutions


• Ability to meet budget, schedule, and performance requirements


• Sensitivity to cultural diversity and an understanding of political and ethical issues surrounding the project’s work

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Makes decisions that have major implications in meeting funder deadlines; maintaining the credibility of the project; and ensuring proper stewardship of time and Financial Resources


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


• Responsible for solving project problems that are complex, highly varied, and require considerable judgment


• Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies

Supervision Given/Received:

• Coordinates own workflow and sets individual priorities


• Works under general guidelines for completion and accuracy as determined by the supervisor


• May manage a centralized functional area of activity


• Manages staff and workloads to meet project goals


• Typically reports to a Director or Associate Director

Education:

• Master’s degree or international equivalent in international development or closely related field

Experience:

• Requires a minimum of 5 years of field-level family planning experience, including personnel and project management


• Has ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities


• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear and positive manner with clients and staff


• Minimum of five years working in a low-resource country; providing high-level technical experience in family planning preferred


• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English


• Fluency in French strongly preferred

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.


• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.


• Ability to lift 5-50 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer, Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), e-mail, telephone, printer, calculator, copier, cell phones, PDAs and other hand held devices.

Travel Requirements:

• 5-20%

This job posting 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. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.