French and English-Speaking Senior Technical Manager – Remote at Equal Access

Equal Access International (EAI) – a non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Washington, D.C. – partners with communities around the world to co-create sustainable solutions that combine community engagement with participatory media and technology. With funding from bi-laterals, multi-laterals, foundations, and individual donors, EAI has a 17-year track record implementing social change projects and currently operates in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mali, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Equal Access International is looking to fill a Senior Technical Manager (STM) position, who will be responsible for ensuring technical excellence in program implementation and supporting the Technical Director in meeting annual business development targets. He/she will travel regularly to the field; represent the organization with existing and potential clients, partners, and funders and at workshops, conferences, and other public fora; as well as support monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning – including providing thought leadership both internally and externally. The Senior Technical Manager will ensure high quality program delivery and support field teams in expansion and innovation around existing, planned, and new activities. This position reports to the Technical Director and works collaboratively with EAI’s Business Development team, country staff, the Program Management Unit (PMU), and Central Services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Technical Implementation

• Work closely with in country program teams on assigned projects, to support them to implement their initiatives with the highest possible quality.
• Advance and develop EAI’s technical work, expertise and reputation in the field of– but not limited to – Countering Violent Extremism, peacebuilding, participatory media & technology, SBCC and norms change.
• Ensure effective and efficient program implementation including running weekly technical check-ins with in-country project staff, reviewing and / or co-drafting technical outputs, ensuring that technical activities are implemented on time and within the allocated budget and scope of work, and ensuring high quality technical outputs from partners and subs.
• Provide oversight of project MERL deliverables, ensuring work plans/GANTT charts, logic models, and M&E plans are developed and delivered (see below for more details).
• Identify and harness existing program-level expertise and insights to ensure high quality implementation. Where in-country capacity / expertise is low, develop and conduct staff training, coaching and guidance in all aspects of programming including message development, curriculum development, trainings, SBCC, CVE and inclusive programming.
• Implement sustainable solutions to address program vulnerabilities and risks.
• Ensure compliance with all organizational and donor rules and regulations. This will include working closely with Program Management Unit team on reviewing and approving procurements, tracking finances and budgets and ensuring compliance as per donor requirements.

Business Development (BD)

• Track funding opportunities and work with the in-country team, Technical Director and BD Unit to win procurement and new revenue opportunities, focusing on proposal design, strategy, partnering, recruitment, and other facets of the proposal process.
• Regularly contribute to and lead the design and writing of winning proposals and bring in new business, particularly with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of State, other U.S. government agencies and departments, and non-US government donors (UN, FCDO, the EU, SIDA, and others)
• Seek out and develop partnerships with new organizations including media, tech, data companies, universities etc.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL)

• Work with in-country teams to ensure robust and integrated M&E tools and systems are designed from the startup of any program, link the data coming out of this work to the organizational learning efforts underway.
• Work with the PMU to ensure the development of strong data collection (to a DQA standard); M&E processes – including work plans, GANTT charts, and other tools; and analysis of program data on all GCE programs.
• Oversee program assessments (internal and external), ensuring that technical input from appropriate personnel is received and suggested improvements are implemented.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive project database, ensure accurate and timely storage of electronic files
• Support the development of high-quality research, research uptake and other knowledge products that demonstrate impact and advance the evidence base of EAI’s programming and approach.
• Empower a culture of learning and innovation at all levels, including identifying cross‐program and cross‐region synergies and opportunities for learning and collaboration.

Personnel Management

• Provide support and mentorship to field-based technical staff; advise and support their management of the country teams, including project deliverables, design, research, and M&E
• Supervise and mentor junior HQ-based program staff, as assigned.

Thought Leadership and Public Outreach

• Represent EAI externally by attending and presenting at conferences, panels, workshops, and other international fora; by writing in various technical publications; and through social
• Develop written or digital toolkits or comparable outputs aimed at advancing the way that EAI is viewed by the field as a leader in CVE, SBCC and social norms transformative work.
• Keep up with new and evolving technologies and distribution platforms and enable HQ and country level program teams to access and utilize them.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 7-10 years of relevant work experience plus
• Proven experience in providing technical oversight for complex development projects, ideally in the field of CVE and peacebuilding.
• Extensive experience working on USAID prime awards, including in country if possible
• Previous experience in a supervisory / management role
• Experience working in or working on projects focused in one EA country or similar context, ideally in French speaking West Africa
• Experience with the design and implementation of project MERL systems and a demonstrable commitment to applied learning and adaptation based on data
• Experience leading sections of winning proposals, including for US Government / USAID.
• Excellent oral and written proficiency in English and French
• Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in international development
• Strong prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, US and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policymakers
• Familiarity with Microsoft tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams
• Ability to travel internationally up to 30% of the year, sometimes in demanding physical or security situations

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a 40 hour per week full-time position. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL

There may be international travel up to 30% of the year, sometimes in demanding physical or security situations. There may be local travel depending on events and donor activities.

COMMENTS

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. EAI does not provide sponsorship.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

EAI is an equal opportunity employer. EAI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all employees and applicants seeking employment. EAI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making or any other protected classifications, activities, or conditions as required by federal, state and local laws. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at EAI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical related condition.