Technical Director
I. Summary of position and essential functions and responsibilities:
As part of the Operations Department, the Technical Director (Tech Dir) will be responsible for the coordination and line management of all advisors for the three technical sectors (Nutrition, Water & Sanitation and Hygiene, and Food Security & Livelihoods). The position directs technical strategy and policy development, research and innovation development, collaboration with advocacy and fundraising teams, and internal and external representation.
The Technical Director works closely with ACF Network counterparts, technical advisors, Desk Officers and the Director of Operations to manage the development of the technical departments in ACF USA and to further the ACF International technical positions.
The Technical Director reports directly to the Director of Operations.
Essential job functions:
Technical policy and strategy
Facilitates and validates the technical strategies of ACF USA through inputs from the technical departments and advisors, for Plan of Actions, strategic initiatives, operations strategies, and contributions to ACF USA and ACF International Strategies etc. Identifies needs and necessity for technical policies, positions and guidelines. Ensures coherence between the various documents and validates the proposed policies, position and guidelines in collaboration with the appropriate network and ACF USA staff. Reviews and develops appropriate tools and policies to facilitate improved development and quality of proposals, integrated projects, etc. Coordinates external technical evaluations in collaboration with ACF UK ELA (Evaluation, Learning and Accountability) unit, with close inputs from Technical Advisors in ACF USA. Harmonizes sectoral approaches, cross cutting issues, tools, trainings and initiatives to foster integration between the three sectors. Ensures application and continuous efforts are made to capitalize on ACF technical experiences across country programmes. Visits country programs to support strategic initiatives and to facilitate policy application.
Staff management and development
Supervises all senior technical advisors (regular one-on-one and group supervision) and ensures adequate training, support, and timely performance evaluations for all technical advisors and technical assistants. Oversees the hiring, retention, development and termination, if necessary, of the technical advisors to ensure the effective implementation of programs in the field, the development and implementation of new initiatives, publications, research or assessments. Works in close collaboration with the Human Resources Department to support their work in the recruitment, development and retention of technically competent field staff.
Research and development
Defines the research and development needs together with the Senior Technical Advisors. Reviews and validates large integrated proposals (>2 million USD) for country level action, together with the sectoral advisors and the desk officers. Provides technical input for identification and evaluation of new country programmes Works closely with the external relations and fund raising teams to provide information on technical interventions and inputs in foundation/donor concepts, press releases, etc. Facilitates macro indicators analysis of country programmes, e.g. donor tendencies, beneficiary numbers, budgetary aspects, etc. Leads the development and publication of articles, documents and ACF USA expertise.
ACF International Network
Provides an interface for all cross cutting technical issues with the network, technical directors and scientific committee Attends regular formal & informal conference calls and meetings with the technical directors and scientific committee Coordinates and where necessary leads technical and strategic initiatives and policies with the technical directors of the network and recommends ACF-USA endorsement of ACF International technical documents Provides inputs into the ACF International Advocacy working group and collaborates with ACF UK.
External and internal representation
Serves as a focal point for links with Universities and other technical institutions. Represents ACF USA at national and international conferences and technical fora and facilitates representation from other ACF USA technical staff. Develops contacts with technical focal points of institutional and non-institutional donors and actively fosters relationship.
Other
Completes other duties as assigned by the Director of Operations and the Executive Director.
II. Supervisory Responsibilities:
Direct supervision and line management of Senior Technical Advisors and Technical Assistants, in accordance with ACF-USA’s policies.
Manages unpaid HQ staff (interns, volunteers, &/or Work Study students) as assigned to help complete regular duties & any tasks associated with his/her support portfolio.
III. Fiscal Responsibility
Manages strategic initiative budget for implementation of activities across with the three technical sector teams.
IV. Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods & to concentrate on work, including typing, & turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
V. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Employee must be available to work outside normal office hours, or on the weekends, as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations
Employee must be able to travel as required for standard domestic & international business travel, as well as to the missions, if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.
VI. Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent experience in the sectors of food security, livelihoods, nutrition or public health.
VII. Required skills & experience
At least seven years of experience as public health or food security specialist, or similar experience.
At least five years of field experience, preferably in a technical programme coordination role with an international NGO.
Experience recruiting, supervising and developing a team of technical officers.
Ability to work cooperatively with subordinates, colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels.
Excellent written & verbal communication skills are essential. Preferred experience will include roles which have required a candidate to write and coordinate input to donor proposals and reports, and communicate effectively in different cultural work environments.
Ability to talk knowledgeably about the issues and ACF programming of technical area outside their personal area of expertise (eg: as an FSL technician, able to talk to WaSH & nutrition programming)
Knowledge of MS Office Suite; comfortable working with computers with minimal IT support.
Ability to work in a stressful environment, taking initiative & prioritizing multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented.
Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles and strategic objectives of Action Against Hunger.
Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
Fluent written & spoken English.
Knowledge of French & Spanish preferred.
US citizenship or person with US work permit preferred.
How to apply:
Please note that the closing date for this position is January 27, 2012. Applications may be submitted online with a CV and Cover Letter at www.actionagainsthunger.org/about/employment/job-opportunities
As part of the Operations Department, the Technical Director (Tech Dir) will be responsible for the coordination and line management of all advisors for the three technical sectors (Nutrition, Water & Sanitation and Hygiene, and Food Security & Livelihoods). The position directs technical strategy and policy development, research and innovation development, collaboration with advocacy and fundraising teams, and internal and external representation.
The Technical Director works closely with ACF Network counterparts, technical advisors, Desk Officers and the Director of Operations to manage the development of the technical departments in ACF USA and to further the ACF International technical positions.
The Technical Director reports directly to the Director of Operations.
Essential job functions:
Technical policy and strategy
Facilitates and validates the technical strategies of ACF USA through inputs from the technical departments and advisors, for Plan of Actions, strategic initiatives, operations strategies, and contributions to ACF USA and ACF International Strategies etc. Identifies needs and necessity for technical policies, positions and guidelines. Ensures coherence between the various documents and validates the proposed policies, position and guidelines in collaboration with the appropriate network and ACF USA staff. Reviews and develops appropriate tools and policies to facilitate improved development and quality of proposals, integrated projects, etc. Coordinates external technical evaluations in collaboration with ACF UK ELA (Evaluation, Learning and Accountability) unit, with close inputs from Technical Advisors in ACF USA. Harmonizes sectoral approaches, cross cutting issues, tools, trainings and initiatives to foster integration between the three sectors. Ensures application and continuous efforts are made to capitalize on ACF technical experiences across country programmes. Visits country programs to support strategic initiatives and to facilitate policy application.
Staff management and development
Supervises all senior technical advisors (regular one-on-one and group supervision) and ensures adequate training, support, and timely performance evaluations for all technical advisors and technical assistants. Oversees the hiring, retention, development and termination, if necessary, of the technical advisors to ensure the effective implementation of programs in the field, the development and implementation of new initiatives, publications, research or assessments. Works in close collaboration with the Human Resources Department to support their work in the recruitment, development and retention of technically competent field staff.
Research and development
Defines the research and development needs together with the Senior Technical Advisors. Reviews and validates large integrated proposals (>2 million USD) for country level action, together with the sectoral advisors and the desk officers. Provides technical input for identification and evaluation of new country programmes Works closely with the external relations and fund raising teams to provide information on technical interventions and inputs in foundation/donor concepts, press releases, etc. Facilitates macro indicators analysis of country programmes, e.g. donor tendencies, beneficiary numbers, budgetary aspects, etc. Leads the development and publication of articles, documents and ACF USA expertise.
ACF International Network
Provides an interface for all cross cutting technical issues with the network, technical directors and scientific committee Attends regular formal & informal conference calls and meetings with the technical directors and scientific committee Coordinates and where necessary leads technical and strategic initiatives and policies with the technical directors of the network and recommends ACF-USA endorsement of ACF International technical documents Provides inputs into the ACF International Advocacy working group and collaborates with ACF UK.
External and internal representation
Serves as a focal point for links with Universities and other technical institutions. Represents ACF USA at national and international conferences and technical fora and facilitates representation from other ACF USA technical staff. Develops contacts with technical focal points of institutional and non-institutional donors and actively fosters relationship.
Other
Completes other duties as assigned by the Director of Operations and the Executive Director.
II. Supervisory Responsibilities:
Direct supervision and line management of Senior Technical Advisors and Technical Assistants, in accordance with ACF-USA’s policies.
Manages unpaid HQ staff (interns, volunteers, &/or Work Study students) as assigned to help complete regular duties & any tasks associated with his/her support portfolio.
III. Fiscal Responsibility
Manages strategic initiative budget for implementation of activities across with the three technical sector teams.
IV. Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods & to concentrate on work, including typing, & turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
V. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Employee must be available to work outside normal office hours, or on the weekends, as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations
Employee must be able to travel as required for standard domestic & international business travel, as well as to the missions, if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.
VI. Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent experience in the sectors of food security, livelihoods, nutrition or public health.
VII. Required skills & experience
At least seven years of experience as public health or food security specialist, or similar experience.
At least five years of field experience, preferably in a technical programme coordination role with an international NGO.
Experience recruiting, supervising and developing a team of technical officers.
Ability to work cooperatively with subordinates, colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels.
Excellent written & verbal communication skills are essential. Preferred experience will include roles which have required a candidate to write and coordinate input to donor proposals and reports, and communicate effectively in different cultural work environments.
Ability to talk knowledgeably about the issues and ACF programming of technical area outside their personal area of expertise (eg: as an FSL technician, able to talk to WaSH & nutrition programming)
Knowledge of MS Office Suite; comfortable working with computers with minimal IT support.
Ability to work in a stressful environment, taking initiative & prioritizing multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented.
Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles and strategic objectives of Action Against Hunger.
Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
Fluent written & spoken English.
Knowledge of French & Spanish preferred.
US citizenship or person with US work permit preferred.
How to apply:
Please note that the closing date for this position is January 27, 2012. Applications may be submitted online with a CV and Cover Letter at www.actionagainsthunger.org/about/employment/job-opportunities
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