Technical Lead (TL)

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development. Established in 1980, FHI 360 operates in over 60 countries and employs more than 4,000 staff members worldwide. The organization focuses on various sectors, including health, education, and economic development, and is committed to fostering partnerships that enhance the effectiveness of its programs. FHI 360 is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of everyone who engages with its organization and programs, ensuring a safe and respectful work environment.

Job Overview:
The Technical Lead (TL) position at FHI 360 is a critical role within an anticipated five-year USG funded HIV services and health systems activity in Zambia. The primary objective of this position is to sustain HIV services by strengthening government-led health systems that are cost-effective and evidence-based. The TL will oversee the capacity and institution strengthening portfolio, providing technical assistance and training to the Ministry of Health (MOH), provincial health offices, and local organizations. This role requires a strong focus on HIV care and treatment, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and organizational development. The TL will be part of the senior leadership team, directing efforts to develop and implement comprehensive HIV activities at various levels, including national, provincial, district, and community levels, in collaboration with the Government of Zambia and other partners. The position will report directly to the Principal Investigator and is contingent upon the successful award of the project, with selection subject to USG approval.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Lead will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including leading partnership development and capacity-strengthening activities, adapting and disseminating relevant partnership assessment tools, and providing technical training and guidance to the project team and partners. The TL will provide technical expertise in strengthening the organizational, advocacy, and policy-making capacity of local organizations. Additionally, the TL will lead the adaptation of relevant partnership engagement and capacity-strengthening tools and platforms, offering specific technical training, mentoring, and coaching to the project team and partners. The TL will contribute to program reports for submission to the CDC, lead training and institutional development methods to engage local civil society organizations (CSOs), and provide technical support in the development and execution of systems strengthening to support project activities. The TL will also develop monitoring tools for implementation, oversee accountability mechanisms across all project components, and ensure close liaison with stakeholders to incorporate feedback into project activities. Furthermore, the TL will support capacity-building initiatives, report on progress against technical assistance plans, promote sustainability of project activities, and serve as the technical lead and key capacity strengthening point of contact for partners, participating in technical meetings and coordination platforms.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Technical Lead position must possess comprehensive knowledge of project management and technical improvement concepts, practices, and procedures. They should demonstrate excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, as well as project management and technical skills. The ability to influence, motivate, negotiate, and work collaboratively with others is essential. Candidates should also have a strong understanding of specialized technical areas of expertise, proven ability to meet budgets and performance requirements, and excellent leadership skills. Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills in English are mandatory.

Educational Background:
A Master’s Degree or an international equivalent in international development, public health, social sciences, or related fields is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively lead the technical aspects of the project.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of 12 years of relevant technical/project management experience, including at least 8 years of leadership and line management skills. This experience should involve progressively increasing responsibility in designing and managing complex, large capacity, and institution-strengthening programs. Demonstrated knowledge of capacity-strengthening methodologies at the system, organization, and individual levels is crucial, along with experience working with the Government of Zambia, local NGOs/CSOs, and other stakeholders in HIV-related areas. Professional training and experience with adult learning methods, training or facilitation, and organizational capacity assessments are also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, with excellent oral and written communication skills required. While English is the primary language of communication, knowledge of local languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The Technical Lead position is a full-time role, and recruitment is contingent upon the successful award of the project. The selection of the final applicant is subject to USG approval. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments and programs. The organization requires all personnel to share this commitment and sign a code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record, and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) and will request information from previous employers regarding any substantiated findings of misconduct. The organization fosters a healthy work/life balance and offers a competitive benefits package.