The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC began working in Afghanistan in 1988, launching relief programs for people displaced by the invasion of the Soviet Union. IRC is currently operational across eleven provinces by delivering critical life-saving as well as longer term development and resilience programmes under the thematic areas of Emergency response, Health and Nutrition, Education, Integrated Protection and Environment Health.

Scope of work

The IRC seeks a Technical Lead (TL) for an upcoming FCDO Health activity in Afghanistan called ‘Health and Education in Afghanistan – Response and Transition (HEART)’. The recruitment is for the health component which seeks to improve access to quality and equitable primary healthcare, and reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services and prevent further deterioration of health outcomes.

The Technical Director will be responsible for overall technical and programme management, oversight and technical guidance to the HEART programme team, in accordance with IRC, FCDO, and international best practices. S/he will work closely with the Project’s Team Lead, IRC Country Director, Project Management Unit (PMU) the programme team and, consortium partners to ensure successful execution of the programme design as agreed by the donor to achieve the impact targets and objectives.

The recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the programme, and selection of final applicant is subject to FCDO’s approval.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute overall programme work plan to successfully achieve all programme objectives as agreed with the donor.

• Provide technical guidance and oversight to consortium members by ensuring effective functioning of all relevant technical working groups and uniformity of the required tools, techniques, processes and approaches for effective and quality programme implementation.

• Closely work with the Team Lead to ensure overall strategy, management, and operations for the programme making key decisions, mitigating risks, and ensuring the integrity of the programme’s timely implementation.

• Lead and supervise the project’s senior team across all consortium members, including providing leadership and building capacity across core project staff.

• Lead technical and operational planning and relevant technical communications for the programme.

• Provide technical direction for the development and adherence to the MEAL and CLA plans for the successive phases of the programme to capture expected performance and results.

• Lead regular data reviews of deliverables, programme practices, tools and achievements against programmatic targets and quality standards; integrate learning and adaptation for continuous performance improvement informed by an effective use of data.

Requirements

• An advanced degree in public health, or a relevant discipline. Pharmaceutical management experience preferred

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in leading or advising complex health care service or public health programmes in developing countries.

• Previous programme implementation experience in Afghanistan is a strong plus.

• Demonstrated technical knowledge and experience managing and overseeing national level/country-wide public health programmes in one or more of the flagship areas of maternal, neonatal, adolescent and child health, family planning, nutrition, infectious diseases, and health systems strengthening

• Demonstrated diplomatic, leadership and management skills and the ability to coordinate a diverse team to a common goal.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with donors, project stakeholders, in-country collaborators, government officials and staff at all levels of the organization.

• Experience working with FCDO-supported programmes is required.

• Familiarity or experience with the Afghanistan health system is required.

• Appropriate computer skills necessary to conduct research, and analysis of study data.

• Ability to multi-task and keep track of concurrent activities and deadlines.

• Willing to travel within country, as appropriate and allowed.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English is required. Proficiency in at least one local language is strongly preferred.

Please note that the JD is high level and indicative only at this stage and may be subject to change once the Terms of Reference for the programme is released and as the opportunity develops. This position will be contingent on the outcome of the bid.