Project Director – AFGHS job at FHI 360

About FHI 360 And AFGHS-FHI 360

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing, creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries and all U.S. states and territories.60 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

The America First Global Health Strategy – FHI 360 (AFGHS-FHI 360) project is initially a 13-month project (2026 – 2027) with the ability to be extended for up to five years (though 2031). Funded by the United States (US) Department of State (DOS), AFGHS-FHI 360 is a global fixed amount award (FAA) and operates in approximately 50 countries, addressing key public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, global health security (GHS), maternal and neonatal child health (MNCH), malaria, tuberculosis (TB), polio, supply chain (SC) and health systems strengthening (HSS). In Uganda, AFGHS-FHI 360 will continue to build off the country’s progress to date to further strengthen the country’s response to the HIV pandemic and Global health security issues. AFGHS-FHI 360 is recruiting a Project Director located in Kampala, Uganda. This position is open to Uganda nationals and those residing in Uganda with independent work authorization.

Job Summary:

The AFGHS-FHI 360 Uganda Project Director provides overall leadership, management and strategic direction of the AFGHS-FHI 360 project in Uganda. The Project Director will oversee the implementation of the AFGHS-FHI 360 HIV and GHS portfolio in Uganda. They will ensure that project goals and objectives are achieved within the prescribed project milestones, time frame, and funding parameters. They will serve as the primary point of contact for AFGHS-FHI 360 activities in Uganda and provide technical and management leadership to the country project and ensure successful implementation of the work plan to achieve project milestones, monitoring of expenditures in lines with the approved budget, achievement of the project’s targets and goals, and identification, mitigation and escalation of risk. They will be required to coordinate and work with a diverse group of organizations and stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health, senior government officials, country health staff, international and national development partner organizations, and the United States Government (USG) representatives.

Reporting to the FHI 360 Health Programs Director for Africa C portfolio, the Project Director works in close collaboration with the AFGHS-FHI 360 headquarters (HQ) team, planning and directing project implementation, milestone success, and monitoring budget/spending from startup through closeout. Under a matrixed structure, they lead the country’s project team in the planning of project activities ensuring completion of the project on schedule and within budget constraints.

Accountabilities:

• Direct overall project vision, design, planning and implementation; ensures that goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frame and contractual parameters.
• Ensure internal management systems for contracting, recruitment, and delivery; move rapidly to respond to the demands for service delivery on the ground.
• Foster innovation and new ideas for better targeted, and more cost-efficient and effective strategies to reach project beneficiaries and retain them in services, as applicable to scope.
• Develop, manage, and strengthen strategic relationships with government entities, implementing partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders to advance project objectives and foster collaboration.
• Ensure achievement of contractual targets, milestones, and deliverables by leading effective milestone and performance management processes, monitoring progress, mitigating risks, and ensuring activities remain on schedule, within budget, and compliant with donor requirements.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to leverage complementary donor, governmental, and organizational resources through strategic partnerships, collaboration agreements, and aligned programming.
• Provide leadership and management to project staff within a matrixed management structure, ensuring clear priorities, effective teamwork, staff onboarding, performance management, professional development, and accountability for the timely delivery of high-quality project results.
• Work closely with AFGHS-FHI 360 HQ on the development of annual work plans, milestone plans and budgets for timely submission to and approval by USG to implement those plans.
• Serve as the primary contact to the global AFGHS-FHI 360 HQ project team.
• Serve as the primary liaison with DOS Uganda staff, maintaining strong donor relationships and ensuring effective communication, responsiveness, and coordination between the project team and donor representatives.
• Oversee technical and management reviews, to identify and escalate risks, address performance challenges and highlight accomplishments to ensure the program moves forward in a compliant manner.
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring that program is adequately monitored, and that evaluative thinking is incorporated appropriately into the program wherever possible.
• Guide technical and organizational capacity building initiatives with local partners and senior staff to ensure delivery of high-quality training, technical assistance, and reports.
• Represent the project in advancing evidence-based and innovative strategies and approaches on a global, regional and local level.
• Coordinate closely with other FHI 360 project teams in country to ensure a “One FHI 360” approach and avoid duplication of efforts between projects, as applicable.
• Serve as a member of the FHI 360 Uganda Senior Leadership Team and provide input and assistance to the management of the country program, develop country program strategy, business plans, operational plans and budgets.
• Research sources for potential funding and contribute to proposal development, as requested.
• Responsible for creating, promoting, and maintaining safe and equitable work environments for all personnel, including a harassment- and violence-free work culture, and systems for safeguarding project participants.
• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.
• Potentially serve as FHI 360’s Country Representative (CR) for the country depending on current country project portfolio.
• Other tasks as appropriate to the position.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices with project management, process development and execution.
• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong consultative and negotiation skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.
• Ability to motivate, influences, and collaborates with others.
• Ability to build positive local working relationships with local communities, government officials, and donor representatives.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Decisions and actions have a significant impact on management and division operations.
• Problems encountered are complex and highly varied.
• Exercises judgment to meet business strategies and develops objectives that align with organizational goals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Education: **

• Bachelor’s Degree or International Equivalent
• Communication and Social Marketing, Economic Development, Education, Health, Nutrition, Research, Technology and Youth or a related field.
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience: **

• Typically requires 10+ years of relevant experience with projects management principles and practices (including 5+ years of line management experience).
• Proficient with applicable rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Experience in managing large, complex and high-quality health projects, with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following technical areas: HIV, GHS, Malaria, Nutrition, TB, Health Systems Strengthening.
• Experience in leadership in establishing and maintaining positive working relationships and partnerships with major stakeholders including governments, donor agencies, partners, and community networks in at least one of these two technical areas: HIV and GHS.
• Experience in overseeing all aspects of international donor-funded projects, with a preference for USG funding, including program and financial management, human resources, compliance, and quality assurance.
• Experience with fixed price mechanisms (e.g., fixed amount awards, fixed price contracts, etc.)
• Demonstrated strategic planning, staff development and capacity building experience under a matrixed structure.
• Proactive in managing multiple tasks, managing and working in the virtual work environment, and flexible and open to managing time for working with different teams in different time zones as needed.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, coordination and collaboration, team building and management, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English, and be fluent in at least one local Ugandan language.
• Experience operating in insecure environments.
• Experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO).

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• 10% – 25%

• Direct overall project vision, design, planning and implementation; ensures that goals and objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frame and contractual parameters.
• Ensure internal management systems for contracting, recruitment, and delivery; move rapidly to respond to the demands for service delivery on the ground.
• Foster innovation and new ideas for better targeted, and more cost-efficient and effective strategies to reach project beneficiaries and retain them in services, as applicable to scope.
• Develop, manage, and strengthen strategic relationships with government entities, implementing partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders to advance project objectives and foster collaboration.
• Ensure achievement of contractual targets, milestones, and deliverables by leading effective milestone and performance management processes, monitoring progress, mitigating risks, and ensuring activities remain on schedule, within budget, and compliant with donor requirements.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to leverage complementary donor, governmental, and organizational resources through strategic partnerships, collaboration agreements, and aligned programming.
• Provide leadership and management to project staff within a matrixed management structure, ensuring clear priorities, effective teamwork, staff onboarding, performance management, professional development, and accountability for the timely delivery of high-quality project results.
• Work closely with AFGHS-FHI 360 HQ on the development of annual work plans, milestone plans and budgets for timely submission to and approval by USG to implement those plans.
• Serve as the primary contact to the global AFGHS-FHI 360 HQ project team.
• Serve as the primary liaison with DOS Uganda staff, maintaining strong donor relationships and ensuring effective communication, responsiveness, and coordination between the project team and donor representatives.
• Oversee technical and management reviews, to identify and escalate risks, address performance challenges and highlight accomplishments to ensure the program moves forward in a compliant manner.
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring that program is adequately monitored, and that evaluative thinking is incorporated appropriately into the program wherever possible.
• Guide technical and organizational capacity building initiatives with local partners and senior staff to ensure delivery of high-quality training, technical assistance, and reports.
• Represent the project in advancing evidence-based and innovative strategies and approaches on a global, regional and local level.
• Coordinate closely with other FHI 360 project teams in country to ensure a “One FHI 360” approach and avoid duplication of efforts between projects, as applicable.
• Serve as a member of the FHI 360 Uganda Senior Leadership Team and provide input and assistance to the management of the country program, develop country program strategy, business plans, operational plans and budgets.
• Research sources for potential funding and contribute to proposal development, as requested.
• Responsible for creating, promoting, and maintaining safe and equitable work environments for all personnel, including a harassment- and violence-free work culture, and systems for safeguarding project participants.
• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.
• Potentially serve as FHI 360’s Country Representative (CR) for the country depending on current country project portfolio.
• Other tasks as appropriate to the position.

• Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices with project management, process development and execution.
• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong consultative and negotiation skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.
• Ability to motivate, influences, and collaborates with others.
• Ability to build positive local working relationships with local communities, government officials, and donor representatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Bachelor’s Degree or International Equivalent
• Communication and Social Marketing, Economic Development, Education, Health, Nutrition, Research, Technology and Youth or a related field.
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.