Job Summary:

Project Director, STRIDES

Position Title: Project Director

Reports to: STRIDES Project Manager

Project :STRIDES

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in a long - lasting way by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, 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 50 countries including Zambia and all U.S. states and territories.

Job Summary

The Project Director will lead and direct the development and implementation of the STRengthening Infectious Disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity in Zambia to enhance Global Health Security (GHS) priorities aimed at strengthening capacity across laboratory and surveillance systems to prevent, detect, and rapidly and effectively respond to emerging infectious diseases and other public health threats. S/He will fulfill the diverse managerial requirements of STRIDES project and have technical and management responsibility for all activities, personnel, and budget/spending. S/He will serve as the Activity’s primary liaison with the United States Department of State (DoS) Missions in country, key stakeholders, including local government, and other GHS implementing partners working in country. S/He will monitor the project from initiation through project close-out. The Project Director will provide oversight for the technical and financial reporting, and other administrative elements of the project, S/He will organize project activities and ensure completion of the project on schedule and within budget constraints, and oversee STRIDES subcontractors working across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

Accountabilities

• Plans, directs, and coordinates activities for the STRIDES project to ensure that goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed time frame and funding parameters.

• Establishes work plans, project teams, and SOPs to meet project goals and ensure compliance with policies.

• Directly manages technical, program, finance and operational staff responsible for all aspects of the STRIDES project.

• 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.

• Reviews project proposals and plans to determine scheduling, budget, procedures, staffing, and allotment of resources needed for projects.

• Manages in-country relationships with national, regional, and local government counterparts and multisectoral partners and identifies technical assistance needed to fulfill national global health security objectives and targets.

• Serves as the primary point of contact and collaboration for the team and in-country stakeholders, including DoS Missions in country, implementation partners, government partners, and other key stakeholders.

• Leads in-country team and liaises with STRIDES leadership at the global level to define, develop, implement, monitor and adjust technical work plans, budgets, presentations, and reports.

• Provides guidance and training to managers and staff to achieve project goals.

• Provide leadership to the project team, ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, encouraging effective teamwork.

• Responsible for onboarding of project staff, ensuring their familiarity with mandate values, quality standards, policies and project objectives and their individual responsibilities in upholding these standards and policies.

• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.

• Ensures on-time delivery of high-quality deliverables and reports.

• Ensure financial and contractual compliance with FHI 360 and donor rules and regulations.

Applied Knowledge & Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices with project management, process development and execution.

• Familiarity with international Global Health Security frameworks and initiatives, particularly in relation to DoS Programs and priorities, is highly preferred.

• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills including leadership to develop annual work plans and deliverables to DoS while overseeing the Activity’s monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure achievement of Activity goals and objectives.

• Articulate, professional, and diplomatic with ability to communicate clearly with staff, donors and other stakeholders.

• Strong influencing, negotiation and collaboration skills.

• Prior experience leading projects and managing relationships with DoS, host country government, key stakeholders, and other implementing partners in country is highly preferred.

• Demonstrated leadership skills managing staff within a matrixed organization.

• Strong consultative skills, and ability to motivate, influence, and collaborate with others.

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.

• Ability to build positive local working relationships with local communities, government officials, donor representatives and other key stakeholders in country.

• Prior experience working in an international non-governmental organization (INGO) is a plus.

Problem Solving & Impact

• Problems encountered are complex and highly varied; decisions and actions have a significant impact on management and division operations.

• Exercises judgment to meet business strategies and develops objectives that align with organizational goals.

• Quickly identifies and notifies STRIDES senior management of potential issues during implementation.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Supervision Given/Received

• Sets goals and budgets and leads the project in achieving strategic goals.

• Leads coordination of resources for ongoing projects across business units and addresses/resolves project issues.

• Reports to Project/Program Manager.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent in Public Health or other Health, or a related fields.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience including 5 years’ experience with progressive increasing responsibility in designing, implementing, managing, and leading large development programs involving multiple partners, stakeholders, and geographic target areas in a developing country. Experience managing USG funded programs is desirable.

• Proficient with applicable DoS rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• Strong financial management skills and familiarity with tools and systems for effective financial management, operations, and compliance with award terms and conditions, donor rules and regulations, and organizational policies and procedures.

• Demonstrated strategic planning, staff development, mentoring, and capacity building experience of team and partners.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex, multidisciplinary projects that are strategic in nature and national/international in scope.

• Proficiency in English language (read, write, and speak) is required

• Experience operating in insecure environments

• Experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO) is preferred.

• Prior experience working for a USG contract is an added advantage.

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:

• Ability to travel 10% - 25%

The last day of receiving applications will be 6 January 2026.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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