Associate Director, Projects and Programs

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization that is committed to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Established with a mission to address the interconnected challenges of development, FHI 360 employs a diverse team of experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing. The organization operates in all U.S. states and territories as well as several countries worldwide, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where it supports the health sector.

Job Overview:
The Associate Director of Projects and Programs (Epidemic Response Lead) is responsible for providing technical and operational leadership for the ongoing response to the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak within the STRIDES DRC program. This role involves operational coordination of the program for surveillance, sample transport and laboratory testing, biosafety, supply chain management for personal protective equipment (PPE), and capacity building of rapid response teams (RRTs). The position requires close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, local health sector stakeholders in DRC, the U.S. Department of State, and international epidemic response partners. The Associate Director will ensure the daily implementation and operational coordination of BVD outbreak response activities supported by STRIDES, translating agreed-upon response priorities into coordinated work plans, supervising their implementation, resolving bottlenecks, and escalating issues requiring management decisions. The role also involves providing guidance for implementation within the framework of the project/program, government policies and strategies, and compliance with donor regulations. The incumbent will work collaboratively to ensure high performance and responsiveness to evolving needs and opportunities, supporting strategic planning and activity development, particularly with U.S. government funding sources, to position the organization as a leader in epidemic response.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate Director will represent FHI 360 at designated field coordination meetings, ensuring that communications with donors, external engagements, modifications to approved activities, and financial commitments adhere to established authorization and approval procedures. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining a consolidated field implementation plan that reflects agreed-upon priorities with the BVD coordinator, outlining responsibilities, timelines, resource needs, and clearly defined deliverables. The role requires coordinating the implementation of supported response activities, ensuring operational linkages among surveillance, sample guidance, laboratory support, biosafety, PPE provision, RCCE, IPC/SDB, and RRT strengthening. The Associate Director will collaborate with designated technical leads to apply approved guidelines and address implementation gaps while respecting their technical responsibilities and partner management agreements. Coordination with government intervention structures and implementation partners is essential to align activities with the intervention plan, identify coverage gaps, and avoid duplication. The incumbent will monitor field deliveries, operational constraints, expenditures against approved activities, and product availability, coordinating corrective actions with technical and support teams. Regular updates will be provided to the BVD coordinator, keeping the technical director informed of administrative, personnel, compliance, and resource issues. The Associate Director will promptly report urgent operational risks and document decisions, assigned actions, and follow-up. The ability to work flexibly throughout project implementation based on evolving national, regional, global, and U.S. government priorities is crucial. The role includes leading the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of BVD preparedness and response interventions, providing direction and management support for a large/complex program or project, ensuring strategic coherence, well-managed growth, and compliance with donor regulations. Collaboration with other operations management team members regarding appropriate management, compliance, and performance standards, as well as effective budget management systems, is expected. The Associate Director will support program staff in collecting, documenting, and disseminating lessons learned and best practices, integrating them into the design of new projects/programs. Routine field monitoring visits will be conducted to ensure donor compliance and quality project/program implementation. Coordination with stakeholder units will ensure timely budget management, expenditure control, and contractual documentation. The Associate Director will support all relevant departments and units to ensure they are timely in their actions. Additionally, the role requires ensuring that program staff are well-trained to manage project budgets effectively. The project/program coordinators will review documentation regularly, and the Associate Director will provide leadership and management support to ensure the effectiveness of monthly grant review meetings. Potential risks will be mitigated by collaborating with financial services to ensure that program staff fully understand the financial and administrative processes involved in project budget cycles. The Associate Director will forge and maintain strong cooperation with partner organizations through regular communication, collaboration, and, where appropriate, joint decision-making. Identifying funding opportunities and tracking them in collaboration with technical teams is also part of the responsibilities. The Associate Director will execute other assigned tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires proven technical expertise in epidemic response, field epidemiology, infection prevention and control (IPC), or laboratory system strengthening, ideally including experience with BVD or other viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs). Effective knowledge of design, implementation, and management of sector-specific and/or multi-sectoral international development projects/programs funded by the U.S. government or other international donors is essential. Familiarity with various funding mechanisms, general contracts, and reporting requirements is necessary, as well as knowledge of business development processes, specifically proposal development, in the context of an international NGO. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required, along with sensitivity to cultural differences and an understanding of political and ethical issues in countries outside the U.S.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree or its international equivalent in public health, medicine, epidemiology, health program management, or a related discipline is required. A relevant graduate degree and certification in project management are desirable.

Experience:
Typically requires 10+ years of relevant experience, including experience in public health program management, emergency response, or humanitarian operations, with at least three years of team management experience. Proven experience in coordinating multidisciplinary epidemic response teams, preferably for Ebola or other viral hemorrhagic fevers, and collaborating with government authorities and partners in unstable or resource-limited contexts is essential. Experience working in insecure environments and within a non-governmental organization (NGO) is also required.

Languages:
Proficiency in written and spoken French is required; knowledge of English is an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Bunia and involves frequent travel to intervention sites. Deployments and field travel are subject to the organization's security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security procedures and applicable health and biosafety requirements. The ability and willingness to travel to high-risk areas and health facilities, support epidemic investigations, preparedness and response, training, and mentoring of response teams is essential. The expected hiring salary range for this role is USD 50,000 - 65,000 annually for gross salary (basic and allowances) for national local hire. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay, and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines. 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 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. Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation, and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation, and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our 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), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation, and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks. FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods, or services during the application, recruitment, or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org. 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.