Technical Director at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Ref. Code: TDF7119
Location: Abuja, F.C.T
Department: Programs/FASTER
Job Band: 10
Reports To: Project Director

Project Background

• FASTER (Faith-based Action for Scaling up Testing and Treatment for the Epidemic Response) project is designed as a new component of the global FOCUS (Faith-based Organization Capacity Strengthening for Universal HIV Services) project
• Funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FOCUS was developed with the intent of building FBO network capacity, assisting FBOs to contribute to HIV multi-sector planning for expanded service delivery, and documenting successful approaches
• Led by CRS, FOCUS builds understanding of how to leverage the faith-based community’s contributions at sub-national and national levels, reinforcing mutual responsibility and country-driven leadership.
• FASTER takes FOCUS’ objectives to the next level by creating an enabling environment in Nigeria where government, civil society, the private sector, and FBOs can accelerate normative pediatric HIV case finding, testing, linkage to care and treatment, and adherence support by strengthening and streamlining joint coordination and provision of pediatric HIV service delivery.

Job Summary

• The Technical Director is responsible for quality assurance through technical leadership to enable FASTER to adhere to national and international evidence based technical assistance strategies for Peadiatric HIV, Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Adolescent Programs.
• The Technical Director facilitates linkages between the FASTER project technical team and technical teams of Government coordinating structures and PEPFAR HIV Treatment and OVC program partners
• S/he will oversee the technical strategies of FASTER along the priority actions providing technical leadership in implementing and monitoring project deliverables and outcomes and ensure project outputs are provided as per the agreed work plan.

Specific Job Responsibilities
Program Quality and Technical Coordination:

• Lead all quality assurance aspects FASTER in Nigeria with respect to strategies and activities designed to respond to the program priority actions to address HIV/AIDS pandemic in country
• Coordination and planning to ensure standardization of FASTER technical approaches, project goals and objectives for the FASTER project in Nigeria
• Ensure successful startup of FASTER in Nigeria. Provide oversight to ensure the achievement of project objectives.

Technical Leadership:

• Provide technical leadership for FASTER’s participation in and support of HIV and related Technical Working Group activities at the national and sub-national level
• Provide technical leadership for the development and timely completion of annual SOWs, workplans, indicators, and budgets for each sub-recipient partner and CRS.
• Lead the technical documentation of appropriate application of programmatic best practices.
• Utilize and develop appropriate tools to track program performance (site capacity assessment tool, regular financial analysis, treatment initiation, adherence monitoring/patient retention, etc.)
• Together with the Project Director, other key personnel and CDC Activity Manager, conduct periodic technical reviews, site visits and monitor progress towards achievement of program objectives.
• Promote technical linkages between FASTER, consortium and technical partners to achieve quality program deliverables
• Strengthen technical linkages with CRS country program, regional and global CRS Technical Advisers

Representation and Learning:

• In consultation with the Project Director, represent the consortium on relevant technical forums including high level representation, advocacy and donor engagement as required
• Ensure necessary technical assistance and training is provided to partners to develop capacity to implement HIV/AIDS support activities as per the project requirement.
• Provide high level technical support for program innovation and learning; foster regular discussions with key stakeholders as appropriate; to facilitate cross sector learning on HIV, OVC and adolescent programs.

Qualifications and Skills

• A primary medical qualification (MBBS) plus a Master's Degree in Public Health or related health discipline
• Minimum 8 years of experience in HIV/AIDS programming
• Minimum 5 years in the developing world in project management positions with progressive management responsibilities.
• Experience working in PEPFAR pediatric HIV, OVC and adolescent programming.
• Strong background in program implementation; experience in supervising and providing technical assistance for roll-out of evidence based HIV, OVC and adolescent programming strategies.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently and ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
• Technical experience with programming to address gender concerns and programming for very young children and adolescents/youth required
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID project/awards management including USAID rules and regulation and reporting requirements.
• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Experience managing teams and building partnerships in complex situations
• Proven leadership qualities, depth and breadth of technical expertise and experience, and strong interpersonal skills.

Required Foreign Language:

• Excellent written and spoken English.

Required Travel:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of time

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Global FASTER team, Project Director and team, Deputy Country Representative (Health and Livelihood), RTAs for Health and OVC, Country Representatives, Heads of Operations, and Security Managers/Focal Points.
• External: NASCP, NACA, CDC LAM, other donors, HIV and OVC Program Implementing Partners.

Agency Wide Competencies
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:

• Integrity
• Strategic Mindset
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Develops Talent
• Builds Relationships
• Accountability & Stewardship