Project Director - Safestart +

The Project Director will be primarily responsible for overseeing the overall technical and managerial aspects of project performance. They will supervise project implementation and ensure the project meets stated objectives and reporting requirements while enhancing global leadership and impact. Additionally, they will be the main point of contact for representing the project to UNITAID.


Location: The successful applicant can be based in any PATH Office in Africa, with preference given to Malawi, Nigeria, DRC, Uganda, South Africa, or Senegal.

Core responsibilities include but are not limited to:


Provide comprehensive leadership to the project team, overseeing technical and operational aspects of the project, including planning and implementation.
Deliver high-quality strategic and technical guidance to steer the development of technical and programmatic activities and project work planning.
Ensure all project partners are aligned with the project's goals, objectives, and timelines. This involves establishing clear communication channels and fostering positive working relationships with external partners to ensure effective coordination throughout the project's duration.
Act as the primary liaison with UNITAID, global and regional partners, and other donor and development agencies (e.g., WHO, Global Fund).
Oversee efficient and effective use of project resources to achieve desired outcomes, monitoring workplans and budgets/finances in accordance with UNITAID and PATH policies and procedures.
Ensure timely and accurate financial and programmatic reporting to UNITAID as required, in line with project objectives and compliant with relevant SOPs and policies.
Plan, direct, and coordinate activities to ensure goals and objectives are met within prescribed timeframes and funding parameters.
Provide guidance and mentoring to project staff to achieve project goals and develop leadership capacity.
Establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government counterparts, public, private, and implementing partner organizations, on project matters.


Essential competencies/required skills:


Master's or other advanced degree (PhD, MD) in public health or another relevant field with demonstrated experience in midwifery, obstetrics, or pediatrics.
Minimum 10 years' experience in international health programming, including at least 5 years' experience in senior-level management positions and experience leading large and complex projects.
At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience providing technical assistance and conducting work in several of the following areas: prevention, diagnostics, and treatment research of HIV, syphilis, and viral hepatitis, antenatal care, monitoring and evaluation, operations research, and advocacy.
Demonstrated ability to network and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and to build collaborative relationships with donors, host-country governments, and local and international health and development agencies.
Proven experience in effectively engaging partners and managing multi-partner consortia.
Strong project and personnel management skills.
Previous experience working on UNITAID programs and working knowledge of UNITAID regulations preferred.
Demonstrated experience successfully leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams to achieve health outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful project completion.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Ability to interact professionally in French preferred.
Available to travel nationally and internationally up to 25%.