Technical Director, LIFT Project

FHI 360 is a global development organization with a rigorous, evidence-based approach. Our professional staff includes experts in health, nutrition, education, economic development, civil society, environment and research. FHI 360 operates from 60 offices with 4,400 staff in the U.S. and around the world. Our commitment to partnerships at every level and our multidisciplinary approach enable us to have a lasting impact on the individuals, communities and countries we serve–improving lives for millions. We seek qualified candidates for the position of Technical Director, LIFT Project in Washington, DC.

Position Description:

The Livelihood and Food Security Technical Assistance (LIFT) Project is designed to work in close collaboration with US Government (USG) agencies, implementing partners and other key players to improve their capacity to design, implement and integrate sustainable, market-driven interventions to strengthen livelihoods, food and nutritional security. LIFT aims to heighten the impact of work done through USAID, PEPFAR, Feed the Future, USDA, CDC and the Peace Corps, as well as national governments, civil society and the private sector. LIFT’s ultimate goal is to support the food security of vulnerable households, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS, by improving their livelihoods and economic circumstances.

The Technical Director provides both intellectual and strategic leadership to LIFT’s cutting edge technical assistance in economic strengthening, livelihoods and food security to US Government agencies, USAID missions, and their implementing and national government partners. The Technical Director will market LIFT to and maintain relationships with USAID bureaus and missions; design and lead/participate in field assessments and other technical assistance activities and support visits; develop technical materials, tools, and guidelines for project staff, consultants as well as technical assistance recipients; design and deliver training activities; write and present technical papers highlighting emerging trends; identify opportunities to disseminate LIFT’s technical learning and expertise through local and international fora; and maintain effective collaboration with LIFT’s consortium members.

The Technical Director will frame and contribute to LIFT’s global learning leadership agenda by collaborating closely with FIELD-Supports Knowledge management (KM) team by documenting and disseminating project learning and building partnerships with related initiatives and networks.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide overall technical direction and intellectual and strategic leadership to develop LIFT’s knowledge base in economic strengthening, livelihoods support and food security for vulnerable households, and share this expertise with USG agencies, USAID missions and their implementing and national government partners.

• Build relationships with key decision makers within USAID’s Bureau for Food Security to promote awareness of LIFT as a mechanism for delivering technical assistance to Feed the Future activities.

• In collaboration with LIFT team, recruit, assemble and lead technical teams to carry out assessments and capacity building for USAID partners in Africa.

• Produce tools and training materials to expand the knowledge and evidence base and strengthen the organizational capacity of partners to implement state of the art programs that are market-led and contribute to positive health and nutritional outcomes of vulnerable households.

• Produce and present papers at local, regional and international fora to share experiences and emerging best practices and disseminate LIFT learning to donors and practitioners.

• Oversee development of Scopes of Work for field assistance activities.

• Monitor field activities and ensure timely completion of objectives.

• Coordinate with Food Security initiatives at FHI360. Build, coordinate and chair a LIFT Technical Advisory Committee within FHI360.

• Develop a robust monitoring and evaluation system and a research agenda in collaboration with colleagues and partners for LIFT field activities.

• In collaboration with the Project Director, develop/produce contractual deliverables (quarterly, annual, field project evaluations, etc) and work with other FIELD-Support team members and partners to write articles for wider dissemination.

• Coordinate with FIELD-Support LWA KM unit to capture learning on LIFT and make it available for wider dissemination.

• Work on proposals and other work as assigned by the Project Director and Director of FIELD-Support LWA.

Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree plus 11 years of relevant experience in technical aspects of livelihoods and economic strengthening required and at least 2-3 years of experience working and living in developing countries; Experience with or knowledge of programmatic approaches used in one or more of the following areas: market-driven small and micro enterprise development; rural and urban livelihoods; orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) well-being; agricultural production, value chains and marketing; informal financial services and microfinance; and/ or food security; Understanding of household economics for vulnerability households and the impact of hazards and shocks such as HIV/AIDS and how to best target economic strengthening, livelihoods and food security programs to these groups; Thorough understanding of USAID and PEPFAR operating procedures and strategic objectives; Demonstrated strong mentoring experience supplemented with research, analytical and writing competencies; experience in producing training materials and capacity building of USAID development partners, NGOs and other organizations in Africa. Excellent verbal and written English language skills; along with strong intercultural communication skills; French or Swahili is preferred. Ability to plan, organize, and use time effectively. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities. Ability to coordinate diverse consortia of organizations to achieve common objectives. Proven ability to identify and solve problems.

FHI 360 has a competitive compensation package. Interested candidates may register online through FHI 360's Career Center at www.fhi360.org/careercenter or through the Employment section at www.fhi360.org. Please submit CV/resume and cover letter including salary requirements. Please specify source in your application.

AA/EOE/M/F/V/D