Lesotho Country Director/Principal Investigator 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 Director/Principal Investigator (CD/PI) 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 community level. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity. This position is contingent upon award.

Key Responsibilities

• The CD/PI will provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise for the project.
• Responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project and will serve as the primary liaison with the CDC on management and technical matters.
• Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements.
• Promote the use of recognized evidence-based tools and promising innovations for strengthening the capacities of local organizations.
• Take a leadership role in coordination among CDC and key stakeholders, including partners, government stakeholders, and other CDC and donor-funded projects.
• Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.
• Liaise closely with Pact Lesotho’s Country Director and finance team and Pact’s Washington, DC, team to ensure that all project activities are compliant with USG rules and regulations, as well as consistent Pact’s policies, procedures and best practices.
• Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and technical and financial reports) in accordance with the highest standards.
• Oversee project budget and work in close coordination with the Business Official to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact’s resources.
• Provide strategic management and oversight of the project’s subaward portfolio.
• Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ensure that program meets programmatic and financial targets and makes accurate projections.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support CDC and Pact’s thought leadership in HIV prevention, care, and treatment among vulnerable groups.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s Degree from an accredited university in public health or a relevant field.
• At least ten (10) years of experience in international development.
• At least eight (8) years of experience as a Project Director or in a comparable senior leadership and prime managerial position on international donor projects.
• Demonstrable experience in HIV prevention, care, and treatment programming.
• Experience in Southern Africa, preferably Lesotho.
• Experience working on and leading teams for US government contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Familiarity with PEPFAR-funded programming and reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with government and community 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.