FHI 360 is seeking an East Africa Regional Technical Advisor I - Polio to lead and support technical activities under the STRIDES - Polio program at the regional level. The successful candidate will provide regional technical leadership, contribute to project design and implementation, monitor quality, and lead staff development in polio eradication efforts across East Africa.
Accountabilities & Key Responsibilities
Technical Requirements & Leadership
- Work on problems of complex scope that require evaluation of variable factors.
- Demonstrate good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions, with little supervision.
- Network with key internal and external personnel.
- Provide input to senior technical leadership on national guidelines and normative policies for subject matter areas of expertise.
- Provide regional-level technical leadership of the STRIDES – Polio program.
- Develop strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components within the STRIDES – Polio and Global Health Security programs of work.
Project Design Implementation
- Under the direction of the STRIDES Technical Director – Polio, lead the creation and implementation of the technical portion of the STRIDES - Polio Activity plan at the regional level within given resource and financial constraints.
- Lead day-to-day technical and operational activities related to the STRIDES - Polio regional portfolio design and implementation.
- Coordinate with technical and programmatic staff members at regional and country levels to ensure activities are performed as per contract requirements and consistent with FHI 360 policy.
- Lead and support country staff members to ensure technical quality.
- Provide technical direction to and monitor the quality of work performed by regional subcontractors engaged in polio activities.
- Work with STRIDES Finance and Operations teams to prepare subcontracts and budgets.
- Contribute to planning and making recommendations for STRIDES operations and implementation at regional and country levels.
- Influence design and scope of STRIDES polio initiatives and programs.
- Provide technical oversight and ensure high-quality implementation in line with global standards and best practices while meeting contractual obligations.
Staff Leadership and Training
- Supervise team members, monitor performance, and lead professional development efforts as required.
- Develop and implement training and competency systems at the regional and country levels.
- Identify strategies to address training gaps.
Activity Reporting & Quality Assurance
- Review donor financial and technical reports specific to Polio for transmittal to HQ.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to STRIDES donors on progress as needed.
- Develop Activity workplans and coordinate with sponsors and partners on activities.
- Ensure technical deliverables and implementation are consistent with best practices.
- Proactively identify risks or challenges to technical deliverables and create mitigation plans.
- Review, analyze, and evaluate project effectiveness and make recommendations for enhancements.
Applied Knowledge & Skills
- Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for successful activity implementation.
- In-depth functional knowledge of Polio eradication efforts, especially in Polio surveillance, case investigation, laboratory services, reporting, polio data, outbreak response, and related areas.
- General understanding of political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences affecting the sector.
- Strong diagnostic, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual agreement among peers and partners.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
- Travel: 10% – 25% local and regional travel.
- Physical Demands: Typical office environment, remote work capability, extended computer screen/keyboard work.
- Technology: Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, Teams/Zoom, mobile technology.
