Description
JSI is a global nonprofit dedicated to improving people’s lives around the world through greater health, education, and socioeconomic equity for individuals and communities, and to providing an environment where people of passion can pursue this cause. We are more than 3,000 public health care and education experts driven by a passion to improve health and education services for all. Our fundamental goal is to ensure that all individuals can live their best and healthiest life, regardless of age or circumstances.
Description:
JSI’s Directors of International Programs report directly to and work closely with the Executive Vice President for International Programs to provide supervision and support for JSI’s country leadership, and organizational oversight to JSI’s international portfolio. The position is part of the International Programs Senior Management Team. The International Programs Director will be part of the leadership team in JSI’s International Division’s work to elevate country leadership and country-led implementation, providing strategic guidance to other team members and actively leading and supporting work processes. The International Programs Director will be directly responsible for supervision of one or more Country Directors and/or Country Representatives in their geographic sphere of oversight. They will be a strategic leader and thinker, who will bring to the role cultural competence and sensitivity in dealing with diverse international stakeholders. They will provide leadership and support to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment within the International Programs team, within the JSI International Division and across the JSI enterprise.
There are three positions in recruitment for the following regions: Eastern Europe and Central Asia; Southern Africa; and Francophone Africa. Please include relevant experience living and/or working in the selected region and language abilities in your application materials. These positions are preferably based in Boston, MA or Arlington, VA. Other locations where JSI is registered may be considered.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Within the designated region, co-lead the design of JSI’s model and structure for country-led implementation and provide leadership and strategic guidance during country-specific co-creation processes to tailor the model to the context and specific needs and requirements.
- Participate in the development of job descriptions/guidelines/standard operating procedures for the new model, structure and roles (both new country-based and new US-based roles), to ensure aligned understanding and implementation, for the learning phase. Adapt/improve based on lessons learned.
- Contribute to the design and adaptation of a standardized country support model and program management tools to support country programs to operate effectively.
- In collaboration with International Programs leadership, work with Portfolio Support Managers to provide daily support to count offices and ensure collaboration and coordination with other functional groups.
- Support country leadership, to define specific project support needs in three learning countries (Ethiopia, Nigeria and Kyrgyz Republic) as the new international programs model is rolled out. Subsequently, provide oversight for implementation of the new model/structure to ensure project support is responsive and appropriate for each country and its individual projects. Support country directors/representatives and their teams, as new countries are rolled out to scale-up the country-led model.
- In collaboration with other Directors of International Programs, monitor the three learning countries continuously using agreed upon key performance indicators to ensure that countries are on track to meet the objectives and goals of the country-led program in its initial, learning phase.
- Support mid-term and final evaluation processes for the learning countries to ensure the lessons learned from the learning phase are applied to improve the model and structure, in readiness for scale up to other countries.
- Supervise the Country Directors/Representatives including orienting them to their new role and providing continuous coaching, mentorship and support to help them succeed in their new expanded positions, including operational effectiveness.
- Work with other workstream leads and their support teams (Centralize Support Functions; Prioritize a Strategic New Business Development Unit; Leverage Global Technical Expertise; and Promote JSI’s Brand and Enhance Strategic Partnerships) to ensure alignment, coordination of efforts and overall success of JSI’s organizational change efforts.
New Business Development and Strategic Partnerships
- Participate in JSI’s new business development to help grow the assigned portfolio, as needed and required.
- In collaboration and with support from the NBD unit, provide guidance and mentoring as appropriate to Country Directors/Reps and other staff to identify and develop opportunities to expand JSI’s portfolio in their geographic area(s) and in the assigned region more broadly.
- Monitor and participate in, as appropriate, strategy development, networking, and representation plans with potential donors and other stakeholders, capture efforts, and development and submission of proposals.
- Work with the Country Directors to ensure that the right persons at the country level are engaged and following up on NBD opportunities.
- In collaboration and with support from the strategic partnership unit provide guidance and mentoring as appropriate to Country Directors/Reps in the identification, cultivation, and maintenance of strategic partnerships, to elevate JSI’s standing in the public health and education arenas, and position it for new business opportunities.
Ongoing Management and Oversight
- Working under the direction of the EVP for International Programs, provide supervision, management guidance, and support to Country Directors and Country Representatives, to ensure coordinated implementation and management of projects, donor satisfaction, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
- Provide day-to-day management oversight to Country Directors and Country Representatives as they lead their teams to ensure uninterrupted implementation and a coordinated JSI presence. Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure effective and quality implementation and a positive work environment.
- Support the Country Directors and Country Representatives to develop and implement country-specific strategic plans and annual costed work plans that incorporate quality implementation plans and plans for growth, in alignment with the organization’s overall goals, objectives, and technical priorities.
- In collaboration with International Programs leadership, work closely with and guide the Portfolio Support Manager in her/his role, ensuring that, under the leadership of the country director, the Country Support Manager provides support for effective coordination of the country support team (finance and operations, human resources, IT, technical services, NBD, and communications) and provides timely and appropriate response to requests for assistance from the chiefs of party/project directors/program leads.
- Working closely with the Portfolio Support Managers and JSI technical experts, ensure responsiveness with technical assistance requests and that ongoing quality assurance activities are followed up and are consistent with specific country and global requirements.
- Serve as a thought partner to Country Directors and Country Representatives as they fulfill their responsibilities, including serving as a sounding board, advising them on management challenges, providing technical input/advising as appropriate, helping to trouble-shoot problems and aid in planning, and advising on internal and external relationship management.
- Monitor and ensure that the Country Director/Country Representative, working in their capacity to provide oversight to individual projects and project leads, is providing appropriate guidance and support to these project leads so that the latter can maintain their agency and authority as project leaders, while stepping in to help with problems as they arise.
- Help facilitate appropriate mentoring of project technical teams in their assigned portfolio for growth and JSI thought leadership.
- Provide leadership to ensure there is regular communication with the Country Directors and Country Representatives and their country teams to facilitate one JSI identity and belonging, and provide channels for information sharing and learning across the country office.
- In collaboration with International Programs leadership, facilitate the periodic review and updating of SOPs and contingency plans for emergencies or crises affecting international programs. Work closely with Country Directors/Country Representatives to respond effectively to unforeseen challenges and changes in the country context and landscape in the countries where JSI operates.
- Work closely with finance and operations leadership to remain informed on the project portfolio and of potential issues related to financial, operational, and compliance management. Support the Country Directors/Country Representatives to ensure a culture of ethics and compliance in accordance with JSI and donor policies and regulations, and country laws and operating requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree or higher in international development, international relations, business management, public health, education, or related field.
- Minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience at JSI or another international NGO working in the field of public health or education.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience as a COP, resident advisor or other senior project leadership position at JSI. Experience managing multi-country teams/programs is an added advantage.
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of JSI’s management policies, administrative procedures, and new business development approach.
- Excellent relationship management abilities and a proven track record of developing and maintaining strong relationships with government counterparts, donors and other relevant stakeholders.
- Significant experience in new business development, including representation and networking, strategy development, partnership/consortium formation, identifying strong senior staff to lead prospective projects, capture work, and proposal development and submission.
- Experience managing and coaching project leaders and other senior staff in the public health and/or education or development sectors.
- Successful experience monitoring and managing project and organizational financial resources, ensuring compliance with all donor and JSI regulations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and predominant language(s) in the designated region(s).
- Outstanding organizational skills, including the ability to work on multiple pressing issues at once.
- Strong conflict management and negotiation skills.
Salary commensurate with experience.
Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online.
No phone calls please.
Principals only please.