Overview
Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community.
Global Communities is seeking a Technical Director, Water Security, Sanitation and Hygiene (WSSH) to join the Global Programs team at the headquarters in either downtown Silver Spring, Maryland or San Diego, California. The Technical Director, Water Security, Sanitation and Hygiene (WSSH) at Global Communities is a member of the Health, Nutrition, and WASH team in Global Programs Department and will report to the Senior Director of Health, Nutrition, and WASH. In this role, the Technical Director will lead WSSH resource development, strategic planning, direction-setting, prioritization of organizational resource investments, and positioning of Global Communities as a leader in WSSH. The Technical Director will work collaboratively to ensure the technical and programmatic strength and impact of Global Communities’ global and country-level investments. The Technical Director will collaborate closely with other departments at Global Communities including Global Operations, Strategic Growth and Partnership, and Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning.
NOTE:
As an organization working to advance public health, Global Communities has an obligation to model best practices and to do all we can to protect each other, our partners and the communities where we work. To ensure the continuity and effectiveness of our business operations, Global Communities is adopting a policy to safeguard the health of our visitors, employees, families, and the larger global community from COVID-19. Effective January 3, 2022, all U.S.-based Global Communities employees are required to provide proof of having received full dosage of COVID-19 vaccine that is FDA approved, approved for emergency use authorization, or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file with Global Communities, as a condition of employment.
Responsibilities
Responsibility Area: Program Excellence
The Technical Director WSSH is responsible for oversight of the technical implementation of WSSH projects, or WSSH components of projects, as assigned.
- Support the technical capacity of project staff and partner with project leadership to steer the project’s technical approach and monitor overall quality of technical implementation.
- Develop Global Communities’ programmatic quality standards for quality program delivery of the WSSH portfolio.
- Assess and help resolve technical and programmatic issues in collaboration with project leadership and program operations.
- Ensure the quality and rigor of donor deliverables and support projects, in collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to generate evidence of program effectiveness and results that can be used to strengthen the broader evidence base and advance learning.
- In partnership with country teams, ensure that Global Communities’ technical programs are evidence-based, state-of-the-art, and culturally relevant to the communities they serve.
- Provide technical assistance to projects as necessary and provide organizational technical support in WSSH.
- Lead the integration of WSSH methodologies and approaches across other technical areas as needed and relevant.
Responsibility Area: New Business Development
The Technical Director will grow the WSSH technical portfolio, lead positioning at global level, and support country level teams to position for new opportunities in partnership with GC’s Strategic Growth and Partnership (SGP) team. The Technical Director will ensure new business development pursuits are aligned with the organization’s strategic technical and programmatic priorities.
- Identify, pursue, and secure new growth opportunities in WSSH both with existing donors and with new and non-traditional donors and investors, including the private sector.
- Lead the development, writing and/or technical design of major WSSH proposals, as well as act as writer/reviewer of sections of WSSH proposals (as needed).
- Work with the private sector resource development team to diversify Global Communities’ donor base.
- Serve as the WSSH point of contact at Global Communities for current and future donors, such as family and private foundations, to expand new opportunities.
- Inform, influence, and shape GC programs and strategies using Global Communities’ evidence, best practices, and lessons learned.
Responsibility Area: Thought Leadership and Organizational Visibility
The Technical Director will demonstrate a deep understanding of and keep up with the current conversation in their technical sector.
- Represent Global Communities in appropriate WSSH networks, global clusters and to Global Communities’ key donors, including USAID, the Department of Agriculture, the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC)/PEPFAR, BHA (Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance), and other USG agencies.
- Build networks in support of WSSH program growth and thought leadership.
- Serve as reviewer and/or writer for program reports, reference materials, technical guides, capacity statements, marketing materials, and publications.
- Represent Global Communities in relevant networks and position Global Communities as an expert organization in WSSH technical sector.
- Promote innovation, and improved methodologies, products, and implementation through the Collaborating, Learning, & Adapting (CLA) approach.
- Contribute knowledge for WSSH project learning dissemination via journals articles, conference proceedings, social media, and internal papers. The Technical Director will encourage and facilitate participation of staff in technical workshops, conferences, and working groups including GC’s WASH Community of Practice.
POSITION SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Domestic and international travel up to 30% time with possible long term TDY for surge or start up support.
- Promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, learning, support, diversity and innovation.
- As needed, support build local capacity at the country level of the national staff.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Preferred demonstrated in-depth knowledge of relevant WSSH technical area/s, including recent research and literature and have a reputation as an experienced leader within the international global development WSSH sector.
- Preferred expertise/experience with climate change adaptation/resilience/water resource management; Private Sector engagement to create poor-inclusive markets for sanitation products.
- Experience with rural and peri-urban water supply
- Experience with rural and peri-urban sanitation
- Experience with WASH and GESI (Gender Equity and Social Inclusion)
- Experience with behavior change
- Experience with acute onset emergency response in the WASH sector
Qualifications
- An undergraduate degree in a related discipline and a minimum of eight years of related work experience or a minimum of 12 years of related work experience.
- At least ten years of experience with demonstrated progressive responsibility in staff and program management, familiarity with USAID, BHS and/or other donor agencies, and proposal and budget development experience preferred.
- Proven track record in new business development, including securing significant multi-year program funding from a variety of funders, both private and USG, including program design, proposal writing, networking, partnership cultivation, and marketing, as well as proven experience in developing inter-institutional linkages.
- Experience working and networking with international donors, such as USAID, other bilateral development agencies, multi-lateral development banks, United Nations agencies, foundations, and corporate philanthropies.
- Excellent critical thinking skills and sound judgment.
- Excellent English oral and written communication skills; proven ability to effectively communicate with others.
- Excellent public speaking and networking skills.
- Abilities in a second language in one of GC implementing countries.
- Good interpersonal skills with ability to build strong relationships with staff, current and potential donors, partners, and government representatives at all levels in a culturally sensitive manner. Proven flexibility and adaptability.
- Proven ability to learn quickly, apply knowledge, manage deadlines, work independently with minimal supervision on familiar assignments, submit high-quality work plans, prioritize workload, and multi-task in fast-paced environment.
- Strong team-management approach to program support and program development. Ability to integrate management approach with professional peers.
- A commitment for the mission and values of Global Communities.
- Must have U.S. work authorization.
Global Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.