Project Director, Demographic and Health Survey 9 Program

Are you passionate about demography, survey research, and country owned solutions? Are you excited by the challenge of leading one of USAID’s most historically significant survey research programs?

Then consider ICF. We work at the forefront of today’s global health issues, and we’re looking for the right person to lead one of our cornerstone projects in support of USAID.

The Project Director will manage ICF’s $236 million, five-year USAID-funded Demographic and Health Surveys Program (DHS-9), which is focused on improving the collection, analysis, and dissemination of population, health, and nutrition household and facility survey data and to facilitate use of these data for planning, policymaking, and program management.

It is organized around 3 Intermediate Results (IRs) :

Result 1 : Tools, Methods, Partnerships and Technical Guidance to Collect Quality Population, Health and Nutrition Data Improved

Result 2 : Local Capacity for all Elements of Survey Design, Implementation, Management, Data Processing, Interpretation and Communication Strengthened

Result 3 : Availability and Use of DHS Program Data and Information In-country and among Stakeholders Worldwide Improved.

Primary Responsibilities :

The Project Director will provide management leadership, workplan direction, and oversight of the contract, including for each of the three IRs, partnership management within and outside of the program itself, and capacity strengthening and data use aspects of the program.

They will maintainan effective relationship with the USAID’s DHS-9 Management Team ensuring that the project meetsits field supported and core objectivesand expected results;

and ensuring that all required reporting to USAID is completed in a compliant and timelymanner. The position is based in Rockville, MD with international travel estimated to be 20%.

The position reports to the ICF Global Health and Development Line of Business Lead.

In collaboration with USAID, project partners and external stakeholders, the Project Director is responsible for driving, articulating, and implementing a strategic vision for the overall project.

This role will oversee the development of tools, the provision of technical services to implementing countries / partnersand will ensure a coordinated, integrated approach across all project components.

Responsibilities specifically include :

Day-to-day oversight of the entire project with a focus on ensuring quality and consistency in all workplan deliverables.

Primary point of contact with USAID COR for all strategicand other project issues withfinancial / management implications for the project

Supervision of project staff who lead critical subcomponents of the project related to technical leadership, overall project financial and operational management;

data processing;data dissemination and use; and capacity strengthening.

Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert in technical competency areas that are relevant to the project (e.g.

demography, health, gender, survey management, data use)

Work closely with ICF’s financial management and contracts teams to ensure continuous financial and contractual compliance.

Required Experience and Qualifications :

• Master’s degree in demography, public health, economics, sociology, or related health, medical, or social science discipline;
• At least twelve (12) years of experience in the management of large-scale international health or development projects with annual revenue of $30-40 million), with proven capacity in building and managing a diverse team of technical and support staff;
• At least ten (10) years of experience in managing or implementing population-based surveys (these 10 years of experience can be concurrent with the previous requirement);

At least 10 years of experience demonstrating the following :

• Demonstrated competence working within USG regulations and procedures;
• Proven experience in establishing working relationships and collaborating with host country governments and either USG, bilateral, or multilateral donor agencies;
• Fluency in English;

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

PhD or Doctoral level degree preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in facilitating the dissemination and use of population-based and / or facility-based data in low- and middle-income countries preferable;
• Demonstrated competence in the analysis of population-based and / or facility-based data preferable;

Additional fluency in French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic is preferable.