Program Director, East and Southern Africa

Chemonics seeks a Program Director for the East and Southern Africa Regional Business Unit. The final portfolio will be determined based on qualifications of the successful candidate and regional needs. In addition to housing the Education practice management team, the East and Southern Africa region's current portfolio and forward market includes projects spanning a wide range of technical sectors, including water, sanitation, and hygiene, rule of law, natural resource management, democracy & governance, and agriculture & food security. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as we will interview and fill the position on a rolling basis.

Responsibilities:

Project Management

• Directs program implementation for one or more programs within the BU
• In collaboration with the Chief of Party (COP), develops work plans, ensuring timely resources to execute plans, supervising progress, and reporting of implementation, ensuring proper technical direction in fulfilling the project scope of work, and conceptualizing new strategies to improve performance
• Supervises project financial performance leads project closeouts and final reports and resolves problems related to project implementation
• Conducts periodic supervisory visits to assess the status of project activities or to participate in technical or evaluation work in the project office
• Confers regularly with the BU's SVP on project direction and strategy and makes decisive and timely decisions that positively impact project outcomes
• Develops effective working relationships with clients, counterparts and stakeholders and continually promotes outstanding client service with corporate office staff and project teams; leads discussions as part of quarterly client consultations; leads response on CPAR in consultation with the chief of party and submits the final version in the system
• Plans and directs corporate office and project technical activities for project startup, briefing the project team on the business development proposal and award process, with special emphasis on the technical approach strategy and resulting initial work plan
• Supervises the recruitment of project staff and develops guidelines consistent with corporate policies, scopes of work, position qualifications, and selection of candidates
• Establishes and implements tactical and operational plans by leading mid-sized projects, with significant impact on the achievement of project results
• Develops short-term strategies (less than 1 year) to achieve business results, which may require substantial development of new processes, standards, or operational plans to achieve strategic goals
• Develops processes and procedures to implement established strategies within a project or function
• Adheres to program strategy and protocols and manages based on precedent or by seeking out guidance from more senior leaders
• In collaboration with chief of party, develops and supervises implementation of strategies to optimize profitability and reduce cost overruns; approves overhead expenses per policy
• Serves as negotiator or leads negotiation team for amendments and other changes to assigned contracts or agreements; serves as acting chief of party as necessary
• Recommends and/or leads strategic staff recruitment
• Takes initiative to promote business opportunities, implement efficiencies, and realize cost savings for the BU
• Anticipates corporate risk, implements strategies, and takes steps, including those that require cross-departmental and corporate-level collaboration, to lessen impact or mitigate those risks; leads documentation and open sharing of best practices and important innovations company-wide, including in the project office
• Delivers effective oral and written presentations that advance development assistance knowledge and understanding and communicates in a way that persuades and promotes openness and innovation
• May contribute dedicated time to other workstreams and functions to achieve BU goals, including new business, operations, and technical practice contributions

Technical

• Applies in-depth technical expertise to projects' technical goals and objectives, new business efforts, and Chemonics knowledge base. Leads technical assignments
• Advances body of knowledge (e.g., innovations, best practices, lessons learned) and quality standards in primary discipline and practice networks; formulates approaches to guide project work, new business efforts, and technical assignments; and advises clients on technical trends and programming priorities
• Assumes a leadership role(s) in practice network development and professional societies, represents company at technical conferences, and prepares or improves technical and development practitioner publications
• Ensures quality of project reports and deliverables; ensures project technical objectives are met in partnership with the chief of party and troubleshoots when deviations are needed
• Identifies opportunities to conduct billable assignments in coordination with supervisor; sets billability targets to contribute to a billable project work or technical area

New Business Development

• Analyzes development funding trends and priorities; formulates strategies, new directions, and techniques to grow the company and improve market share; and networks with clients, consultants, and counterparts regarding new business opportunities
• Undertakes leadership role in proposal development, analyzing and recommending bid decisions, and conceptualizing team, technical approaches, and cost strategies to gain competitive advantage; leads new business efforts, including leveraging network of industry contacts and assuming leadership roles on proposals, including, but not limited to, lead capture, proposal lead, technical writer, section writer and cost preparer. Mentors staff on proposal roles
• Travels periodically to explore new business opportunities, represent Chemonics, or gather information to write a technical proposal. Interacts with key client and counterpart staff to strategically influence new programming decisions and develops and negotiates strategic partnerships with local firms
• Cultivates partnerships with international firms for the purposes of strategic new business proposal efforts as well as local, in-country partners

Management and Leadership

• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates multiple direct reports, communicating clear performance goals and standards, offering regular performance feedback and prompt resolution of problems, and time and opportunity to grow and develop in key competency areas; promotes staff development through coaching, mentoring, and facilitating professional growth
• Promotes and exemplifies Chemonics' values and ethical standards and manages staff to achieve team and development objectives
• Demonstrates inclusive behaviors and leadership consistent with Chemonics' values and leadership competencies
• Creates a productive and motivating work environment for staff by promoting cooperation and teamwork across departments, staying abreast of management, leadership, and team-building strategies and advocating for them within Chemonics; promotes the building of a strong partnership between project and corporate offices based on open exchange
• Supervises the chief of party and program managers and provides timely and constructive feedback through frequent as well as quarterly and annual reviews; performs other duties as assigned by the SVP
• Serves in acting SVP capacity, as required

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience; Master's degree preferred
• Minimum 8 years of relevant project management
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience and leading teams
• Demonstrated experience solving complex technical, managerial, or operational problems and evaluating options based on relevant information, resources, well-rounded experience, and knowledge
• Operates at advanced levels of authority and controls significant activities, budgets, and resources to produce and take responsibility for results
• Advanced knowledge and skills within a relevant technical or professional discipline with broad understanding of other areas within the job area
• Fluency in and demonstrated application of financial and project management systems
• Conceptualizes, outlines, performs, and directs the research and writing of technical documents (reports, proposals, professional articles)
• Leads effective meetings and demonstrated presentation skills
• Recognized by others as an experienced international development practitioner in a specific technical area; contributes consistently to mentoring staff
• Demonstrated leadership, management, organizational, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising staff assigned to a department or several project teams and new business efforts; demonstrates leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Previous experience working in international development and/or living or conducting work in developing countries preferred
• Willingness to travel and work abroad up to 3 months per year
• Works effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Apply by January 26, 2025. No telephone inquiries. Finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Chemonics is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
Chemonics will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by Chemonics, or (c) consistent with Chemonics legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)