The Academy for Educational Development

Washington, DC, United States

Driven by Passion.  Guided by Respect.  Focused on Results.  We believe these values are essential to the Academy for Educational Development’s (AED) ability in making a difference in individual lives. The Academy for Educational Development (AED) is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to addressing human development needs in the United States and throughout the world.

AED seeks a Senior Project Director for our PREVENT project.

Project Summary:  
PREVENT (or the Global Avian Influenza and Zoonotic Disease Behavior Change and Communication Support Activity) is one of five projects in USAID's new Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) program. It is a 5-year program with a potential value of $70 million. PREVENT's goal is to reduce the risk of animal-to-human and human-to-human transmission of zoonotic viruses.
The Project has six objectives:

1. Develop a Behavior Change and Communication (BC/C) strategic framework for “rare” emerging infectious disease events such as H5N1 avian influenza and Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
2. Characterize“high risk” practices that enable transmission of novel pathogens from animal hosts to humans and between humans.
3. Identify “high risk” groups who are particularly vulnerable to being exposed to and infected by novel pathogens from animal hosts.
4. Develop and validate effective BC/C interventions to raise awareness among the general public and policy makers on risks and appropriate actions needed to minimize human infection by novel pathogens of animal origins.
5. Implement state-of-the-art behavior change activities among high risk populations that can lower the risk of transmission of novel pathogens from animals to humans and between humans.
6. Develop effective strategies for improving national, regional, and community level pandemic preparedness and response.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

 The PREVENT Project Director will have management oversight and decision-making authority for all of the Project's technical, administrative, financial, and contractual matters. S/he will be the principal point of contact with USAID and with the Program Coordination Group of USAID's EPT Program. S/he will supervise the Project's senior staff including Senior Technical Director, Deputy Director, and Senior Communication Managers. The Project Director will also be principal point of contact with AED senior corporate management, including representatives of Contracts, Accounting, and Management, and other Centers and Groups at AED.

• Serves as the principal liaison between the project and the USAID program officer (COTR) and other involved USAID staff.
• Maintains a positive, productive, and responsive relationship between the program and USAID.
• With the Senior Technical Director, represents PREVENT on the Program Coordination Group for USAID's Emerging Pandemic Threats Program, which includes four other major projects.
• With the Senior Technical Director and Senior Communication Managers, oversees the work of key partners (GVFInc, G6 Consulting); supervises the project’s senior staff and oversees the general efficiency and productivity of project staff, consultants, subrecipients, and other partner organizations.
• Oversees overall strategic planning, work planning and financial planning, ensuring that USAID funds are used in an effective manner, properly reported on and accounted for, and that cost share targets are met.
• Serves as the program’s principal interface with outside agencies and potential partners such as CDC, WHO, UNICEF, FAO, other donor agencies, other cooperating agencies, and non-profit or non-governmental organizations.
• Identifies and participates in knowledge dissemination events and activities, including publishing opportunities in peer review journals.
• Represents PREVENT at national and international fora, as needed.
• Serves as principal point of contact with AED senior corporate management, including representatives of Contracts, Accounting, and Management, and other Centers and Groups at AED.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Masters in one of the following or related fields: Behavior Change Communications, Epidemiology and Public Health required. Doctorate preferred.
• 10 year(s) of relevant experience required
• A PhD or DrPH in public health, epidemiology, behavior change communication, or a related field preferred, or the equivalent in experience.
• Recent professional experience and/or demonstrated knowledge of current issues in emerging inectious diseases; knowledge of emerging viral zoonoses a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to social change, behavior change, and behavior change communication.
• A minimum of 10 years experience working on international projects.
• At least 5 years experience as a Director or Chief of Party for international projects of similar scale and complexity.
• Experience working with USAID preferred, including knowledge of US government program and contractual guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multiple partners on collaborative projects.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with senior Government personnel, international organizations, NGO partners, host country governments, and U.S. Government Agencies.
• Strong management skills, including proven skill in managing a large team of both senior and junior professionals.
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written.
• Flexibility to work in "emergency response" environment where priorities and urgencies change quickly and sharply.
• Demonstrated ability to balance diverse perspectives and build consensus.
• Proven ability to coordinate a diverse set of activities, set priorities while multi-tasking, and meet deadlines.
• Supervises the Project's senior staff including Senior Technical Director, Deputy Director, and Senior Communication Managers.
• Will involve international travel up to 15-20% of the time.

#CB9451

Interested applicants should apply online or send resume with cover letter referencing position #CB9451 to: AED/HR, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; or fax: (202) 884-8413. For additional information, visit our website at http://www.aed.org

We thank all individuals for their interest in AED, however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Individuals responding to job postings are considered applicants if you meet the following criteria: (1) have expressed interest through the Internet, email or other related technologies, (2) are considered by the AED for a particular position, (3) possess the basic qualifications for the position and (4) do not at any point remove yourself from consideration.

 
AA/EOE/M/F/D/V