Summary of position

Action Against Hunger-USA is seeking a Project Director to lead the applied research project “Enabling Anticipatory Action for Acute Malnutrition in Practice through Strengthening Early Warning Systems” – also known as the Modeling Early Risk Indicators to Anticipate Malnutrition (MERIAM) 2.0 project. This project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO). The objectives of the project are (1) to use data from existing sources in statistical models to forecast malnutrition rates among young children in four pilot countries in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan) and (2) to track and study the uptake of model-based forecasts by humanitarian actors as a resource for implementing effective, evidence-based anticipatory interventions in response to different risk conditions, including climate- and conflict-related shocks.

The Program Director’s role has the following three main responsibilities:

PURPOSE:

• Serves as the overall project lead, providing expert vision and strategic direction as well as technical, operational and financial management and oversight to country teams and partners, guaranteeing the conceptualization and operationalization of applied research throughout the project.

ENGAGEMENT:

• Provides high-level technical and thought leadership and representation in this priority research area for Action Against Hunger. Works in partnership with internal (field, country office, network and HQ teams) and external stakeholders (academic partners, technical advisory groups, donor advisors, etc.) to implement the MERIAM 2.0. Project, while liaising with key project stakeholders at country, regional and global levels.

DELIVERY:

•  Oversees the implementation of ongoing programmes and provides effective leadership to ensure that the project is delivered on time, to scope and of the highest quality, ensuring an effective budget monitoring, quality reporting to Action Against Hunger stakeholders and donors, all in accordance with internal rules and regulations, funding regulations and the core values of the organisation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

SERVE AS PART OF THE CORE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF THE MERIAM-GFFO Project [~80% LOE]

Coordinate technical research and operational management of the project and its integration into Action Against Hunger core areas.

• Be accountable for all aspects of implementation of the project till its completion and ensure that academic partners, country offices and technical project members are collaborating in the most impactful way;
• Design and co-ordinate the research process, using the evidence generated on an ongoing basis to ensure that the results of the statistical modelling are translated into workable practices and particularly anticipatory action frameworks in the pilot countries;
• Be responsible for the promotion of technical sectoral integration and sensitization of staff on its applications, including transversal policies such as gender;
• Ensure that all data sought, accessed or acquired, compiled, archived and used for analysis are managed in accordance with the data protection regulations of the relevant jurisdiction, including obtaining all applicable approvals for trial registration and ethical review, by providing effective leadership to country teams on government engagement;
• Ensure all donor reports are completed in a timely manner with the relevant input from the field teams and submitted to HQ for validation.

Responsible for developing new strategic partnerships and representing Action Against Hunger USA in partnership-related meetings, workshops and working groups.

• Create and lead an effective Steering Committee with the project partners, namely Action Against Hunger Germany, University of Maryland and University of Minnesota, in the best interests of the project, synthesising the respective roles, expertise and contributions of the partners;
• Represent the project at country, regional and global levels and in networking with key stakeholders and ensure a strong collaboration with like-minded partners and initiatives in the field of Early Warning and Anticipatory Action;
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships, in particular to ensure the institutionalisation of the MERIAM project, in order to guarantee the long-term use of its applied methodology and research results;
• Provide support for overall knowledge management of the project.

CONTRIBUTE TO RESEARCH AND INNOVATION OF ACTION AGAINST HUNGER USA RESEARCH PORTFOLIO THROUGH THE MERIAM PROJECT. [~20% LOE]

In collaboration with the project team and academic partners this role will:

• Ensure the development of peer-reviewed publications and other forms of communication and dissemination of results, including oral presentations, to maximize the uptake of evidence generated by academic partners, preferably with the active involvement of ACF staff;
• Provide technical expertise in the research project or case studies from country or regional offices, allowing cross-national (and sub-national) comparison across a variety of contexts with different circumstances and information landscapes.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES.

• Direct management of MERIAM 2.0 project team at Regional office and Technical management of in-country MERIAM 2.0 research project team,

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

• Management of MERIAM 2.0. Related budgets in scope and time

GENDER EQUALITY COMMITMENTS

• Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information;
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance;
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, boys and girls regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, colour, ancestry, national origin, age or marital status;
• Value and respect all cultures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and 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.
• To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations, which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents. 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS, TRAVEL AND ENVIRONMENT

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. The Project Director must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
• In addition, the Project Director must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in 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 infectious diseases.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Humanitarian Action, Development Studies, Economics or any related field (such as International Relations, Monitoring and Evaluation, or Statistics);
• Candidates with a PhD or doctoral degree and a strong research background are highly encouraged to apply.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Significant experience with international humanitarian and/or development organization is required. Previous experience with Action Against Hunger in emergency and post-emergencies is an asset;
• Expertise in the implementation/research on early warning systems and/or anticipatory action is beneficial;
• A proven track record in applied research projects, particularly in the humanitarian field, is beneficial;
• Excellent management skills (HR, project management, stress management);
• Advanced knowledge of donors’ guidelines and procedures (GFFO, ECHO, DFID, OFDA, FFP etc.) is beneficial;
• Excellent ability to multi-task;
• Ability to organize, train and motivate a multicultural team;
• Excellent diplomatic and negotiation skills;
• Disciplined and able to work and arrive at decisions autonomously with minimal guidance;
• Fluent in English (professional English required);
• Excellent drafting and written skills.

Benefits

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.