Lesotho Deputy Country Director/Technical Program Director at Pact

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Programs – Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Position Overview

Pact seeks an experienced Country Deputy Director/Technical Program Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Comprehensive High Impact Community Based HIV Prevention, Testing, and Treatment Initiation for Sustained Epidemic Control in Lesotho under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This project targets HIV prevention, case finding, linkage to care, and continuity in care among at-risk groups through a strengthened HIV response at the community level. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity. This position is contingent upon award.

Key Responsibilities

• The Technical Lead will provide technical leadership and expert advice on strategies and interventions to strengthen HIV programming and service delivery capacity at all levels and across government, civil society, and community partners to effectively plan and deliver essential HIV services for vulnerable populations.
• Will be fully conversant on global, regional ,and local best practices and evidence-based approaches in HIV prevention, testing, treatment and retention in care for attaining and sustaining HIV epidemic control.
• Lead and facilitate the adaptation and integration of community and facility-based HIV interventions across key strategy areas, while ensuring quality, responsiveness, and relevance of technical assistance and capacity building.
• Coordinate development, implementation, monitoring and reporting on all project work plans.
• Supervise program monitoring, evaluating, and reporting activities, ensuring that all project deliverables are met and delivered in a timely and efficient manner.
• In coordination with the Country Director/Principal Investigator, the Technical Lead will serve as a Pact liaison to CDC and national and local partners, including government officials, civil society, and community leaders, as it pertains to technical matters.
• Coordinate with appropriate stakeholders and target populations in all aspects of project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Supervise key technical staff directly.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s Degree from an accredited university in public health, social or behavioral sciences, business administration or a relevant field.
• At least ten (10) years of experience in HIV and health programming, with a focus on community systems strengthening.
• At least five (5) years of experience as a Technical Lead or in a comparable senior leadership and managerial position on international donor projects.
• Demonstrable experience in HIV prevention, care, and treatment.
• Experience in Southern Africa, preferably Lesotho.
• Experience working on teams for US government contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Familiarity with PEPFAR-funded programming and reporting requirements.
• Track record of effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments and work with and between different stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• The candidate must be demonstrably proficient (oral, writing and reading) in English.
• Ability to travel within Lesotho and occasionally internationally when health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19 diminish.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Lesotho.
• Broad understanding of public health, health systems, and health policy and practice in Lesotho, particularly as relates to HIV.
• Experience working with community-based organizations and/or vulnerable groups in Lesotho.
• Lesotho nationals and permanent residents are encouraged to apply.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.