Technical Director

Job Posting Organization:
Pact is an international nonprofit organization that has been operational since 197

• The organization is dedicated to building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven, and owned by the communities they serve. Pact operates in nearly 40 countries, focusing on enhancing resilience, improving accountability, and strengthening knowledge and skills to create sustainable social impact. With a mission to empower communities, Pact collaborates with various partners to implement programs that address critical issues such as health, education, and economic development.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Technical Director position is part of Pact's new initiative in Malawi under the ACHIEVE project, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State. This role is crucial for aligning with ACHIEVE's strategic objectives, particularly in achieving and maintaining HIV/AIDS epidemic control among vulnerable populations, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, children, and adolescents. The Technical Director will oversee the implementation of integrated maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and nutrition services across several districts, including Zomba, Thyolo, Karonga, and Balaka, with potential activities at the national level. The position requires close collaboration with the Ministry of Health to ensure the availability of quality lifesaving services and to strengthen health management teams at the subnational level. The Technical Director will be responsible for ensuring that high-impact, client-centered services are delivered efficiently and effectively, thereby improving health outcomes for Malawians in the targeted areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Director will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical leadership in designing, coordinating, and supervising approaches to strengthen high-quality, integrated MNCH/Nutrition/HIV services.
• Building clinical capacity for frontline health workers in areas such as maternal and newborn health, Malaria in Pregnancy (MiP), and Integrated Management of Newborn and Childhood Illness (IMNCI).
• Strengthening referral systems and ensuring access to emergency transport for patients.
• Expanding service delivery through integrated outreach platforms and utilizing Quality Improvement tools for maternal and newborn health.
• Overseeing the procurement of necessary commodities and equipment for MNCH and nutrition, ensuring alignment with health service packages.
• Supporting the government in developing implementation plans for health facilities and districts.
• Implementing a decentralized approach to supportive supervision and mentoring to foster local ownership and sustainability.
• Supporting capacity transfer to accelerate the rollout of Direct Facility Financing (DFF) and enhancing public data systems for financial monitoring.
• Monitoring the implementation of activities to ensure timely completion of objectives and targets. 1
• Coordinating with technical, MEL, and finance/ops/admin staff to meet project goals and reporting requirements. 1
• Providing supportive supervision to designated staff members and overseeing the development of technical deliverables. 1
• Representing ACHIEVE/Malawi in technical working groups and meetings with stakeholders to share best practices and ensure adherence to recognized standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a graduate degree or higher in medicine (MD/DO), nursing, or another clinical specialty, along with a graduate degree in public or global health, international development, or a relevant field. A minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in clinical services, health administration, or program management for large-scale international development programs is required. Familiarity with technical areas such as ANC, PMTCT, MiP, safe childbirth, essential newborn care, IMNCI, immunization, nutritional support for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and HIV case management is essential. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in leading teams, achieving deliverables on time and within budget, and effectively collaborating with a range of stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a graduate degree or higher in a clinical field such as medicine or nursing, complemented by a graduate degree in public health, global health, or a related discipline. This combination of education ensures that the candidate has both the clinical expertise and the public health knowledge necessary to lead the ACHIEVE project effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in clinical services, health administration, or program management, particularly in large-scale international development assistance programs. Candidates should have a proven track record of successfully managing health programs and leading teams to achieve project goals.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international nature of the organization and the project. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Malawi may be beneficial for effective communication with community members and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Malawi, specifically in one of the focus districts, with potential for work in Blantyre. The role is likely to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared for travel within Malawi as part of their responsibilities. The job may involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government entities and civil society organizations, to ensure the successful implementation of health programs.