Project Director

Position: Project Director - STEP

Opportunity Type: Full-Time Job

Location: Worldwide

About the Organization:

Connexus Corporation is an international development consulting firm that provides consulting services in the areas of finance, enterprise development, and organizational capacity strengthening. Connexus’ mission is to provide high quality global consulting services to transform international development and build local capacity. Connexus is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Position Description

Connexus is seeking a Project Director for the USAID Strengthening Transformative and Equitable Partnerships (STEP) opportunity. The core objectives of this initiative are to (1) identify, support, and convene local and regional organizations and individual actors within local systems; (2) support and advise USAID Missions and Operating Units (OUs) on award implementation for new, nontraditional, and local partners; and (3) advance Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) for equitable partnerships across USAID Missions and OUs.

The Project Director will be tasked with overall team management, strategic direction, and the provision of both administrative and technical support to fulfill contractual obligations. Responsibilities include the timely execution of project deliverables and ensuring overarching compliance. This includes liaising with a multitude of stakeholders, such as USAID Missions and OUs, host country governments, subcontracting partners, and other USAID implementing partners.

This position is contingent upon project award and approval.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership, establish strategic orientation, exercise management oversight, and offer expert technical guidance for a large and complex, multi-country initiative.
• Oversee and direct the full gamut of project activities, which include programmatic work planning, budgeting, performance management, as well as monitoring and evaluation. Ensure seamless coordination across various project teams.
• Serve as the principal liaison between USAID, host country governments, implementing partners, and other pivotal stakeholders, thereby facilitating effective collaboration and communication.
• Spearhead strategic dialogues to cultivate effective relationships at the country level with local governmental bodies, local partners and international organizations in the same geographic areas, and other entities contributing to the localization and transition of local partners.
• Provide overarching leadership and supervision to the senior management team, along with technical and administrative personnel, subcontractors, and consultants.
• Promptly identify potential risks and issues pertinent to project execution, and guide the team in making appropriate programmatic adjustments.
• Supervise the design, development, enactment, and integration of comprehensive MEL and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) activities. This includes the selection of indicators, data collection and management strategies, report generation, knowledge dissemination, as well as training and capacity-building initiatives.
• Ensure real-time availability of information concerning the progress and status of all contractual activities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in international development, including capacity strengthening for USAID staff, local and regional partners, and advancing locally led development.
• At least 5 years of experience in managing USAID projects of similar scope and complexity. Previous COP or Project Director experience preferred.
• Direct experience with organizational capacity strengthening, MEL, and CLA.
• Competency in working with local partners, particularly in areas such as organizational capacity development, financial management and audits, business development, and transition/sustainability.
• Proven track record of engagement with developing country governments, international organizations, other bilateral donors, civil society representatives, and senior-level government officials.
• Demonstrated experience in managing both expatriate and local staff effectively.
• Field experience working with humanitarian response programming highly desirable.
• Experience strengthening the capacity of USAID staff and knowledge of USAID’s internal processes highly desirable.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English, with proficiency in French, Spanish, Swahili, or Arabic highly preferred.
• Exceptional analytical skills, interpersonal skills, team management skills, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to travel internationally as needed.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can send their resume and cover letter to careers@connexus.email with “Project Director - STEP” in the subject line. No phone calls please.