Job Summary:
Provide technical support to staff and projects. Support technical requirements in the area of project design, business development and quality assurance. Implement and monitor strategic and technical initiatives. Provide technical guidance around the issues, challenges, and strategies for improving access to quality affecting the project. Contribute knowledge products through the creation and management of reports, technical materials, and conflict-sensitive solutions. Working closely with project and Headquarter (HQ) teams, support projects by evaluating programmatic effectiveness, overseeing technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports. Contribute to business development efforts, including supporting the management of opportunity identification, capture, proposal development, and strategic partnering.
Technical Officers (Level I – III) provide a range of technical and administrative services at increasing levels of complexity to support project implementation and proposal development. Individuals within these positions are expected to demonstrate an increasing level of proficiency with the specific relevant technical area.
Accountabilities:
Technical Requirements:
- Provides project staff with overall technical direction and guidance in line with the project expected outcomes.
- Supports technical aspects of projects including staff and partner capacity building.
- Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and reports related to technical area of expertise.
- Works closely with the team to ensure project implementation remains technically sound and adheres to company strategy and standard operating procedures (SOP’s).
- Develops or writes technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate research, best practices, policies, and procedures.
- Conducts analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategy and guidelines.
- Assists with the implementation of research studies by providing technical support and overall management to ensure coordination and field-level implementation.
- Provides mentorship and team building at the task level.
- Collaborates with the research and evaluation team to interpret data sets and other assessment findings.
- Provides technical support in the development and dissemination of tools, materials, reports, papers, and intervention for research projects.
- Provides technical input on subject matter best practices to assist with implementation
- May create technical portion of the project plan, within the given resources and financial constrai.nts.
- Assists with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan
- Develops and monitors technical work plans and budgets.
- Participate in client / funder meetings and draft reports / presentations.
Project Design Implementation:
- Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components.
- Monitors project deliverables and reports to supervisors.
- Leads technical project activities and sub activities and assists with project implementation.
- May implement components of the technical portions of the project plan.
- Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff.
- Functions as the technical lead with oversight of project technical administrative and finance compliance, technical deliverables, and team management, (includes projects and consultants).
Business Development and Client/Funder Support:
- Successfully leads new business development initiatives including project design, budgeting, and recruitment efforts.
- Provides final authorization and approval of the technical portions of proposals and project design, based on the design and direction set by technical leadership.
- Builds productive working relationships internally and externally.
- Collects data for inclusion in proposals, which consist of assisting with proposal research and developing proposal strategies.
- Draft proposals, budgets, and work plans.
- Participate in business development meetings with partners and clients.
Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):
- Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation.
- Oversees project timelines and budgets. Assists in the development of donor reports and presentations.
- Tracks technical project spend under broad supervision.
- Tracks Statement of Work (SOW) and budget tracking systems; provides reports to supervisors.
- Collects financial and technical tracking data; prepares reports.
- Coordinate with suppliers for procurements.
Project/Program Reporting:
- Prepares reports and papers summarizing project results and analyzing data sets and technical assessment findings.
- Establishes and maintains SOW and budget tracking systems.
- Drafts / prepares client technical reports.
- Creates technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts).
Quality Assurance:
- Develops in-depth knowledge of quality standards through formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.
- Coordinates and direct activities to meet client/funder and regulatory requirements.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
- In-depth knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with providing technical support for research studies.
- Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
- Broader knowledge of quality standards
- Proficiency with database management software and on-line search tools required.
- Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
- Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
- Ability to influence and collaborate with others.
- Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
- Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.
Competencies:
There are 31 FHI 360 development competencies, of greatest focus for this particular job will be:
- Project Management (Planning and Time Management) – Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks (sets objectives/goals/measures). Breaks down work into steps, schedules, task/people assignments. Marshals people, time, and resource efficiently. Arranges information in a useful manner and orchestrates multiple activities at once.
- People Management (Making Others Great) – Facilitate professional development of staff by providing challenging, learning assignments and opportunities. Shares and solicits feedback monthly at the very least. Helps establish compelling development plans. Assigns responsibility and accountability for tasks/decisions. Monitors process, progress, and results. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.
- Creating and Managing Systems and Processes – Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization need in systems design. Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity.
- Employees are expected to possess or have high potential for development of these three fundamental competencies.
Problem Solving & Impact:
- Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require review of various factors.
- Exercises good judgment with selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
- Decisions may cause delays and affect a work unit or area within a department.
- Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff
- Networks with key internal and external personnel.
- Decision may cause delays or failure to achieve results that impact departmental goals.
Supervision Given/Received:
- Determines methods and procedures on new projects and assignments.
- Serves as team lead and may mentor other lower-level personnel.
- May supervisor junior level staff.
- Typically reports to an Associate Director/ Director.
Education: **
- Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Civil Society, Communication and Social Marketing, Economic Development, Education, the Environment, Gender, Health, Nutrition, Research, Technology and Youth or a Related Field.
- Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.
Experience: **
- Typically requires 6+ years of relevant experience managing data collection and technical assistance experience.
- Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.
- International or Domestic (US) Program Development or Program management experience preferred.
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:
- 10% – 25%
Date Revised: 09/13/2021
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.
