Director, Global Connections

Position description

The FHI 360 Global Connections (GC) team designs and implements high-level, innovative international exchange, scholarship, and training programs for emerging leaders from around the world and across a wide range of disciplines and sectors.  These programs support the development of change agents and contribute to social, economic, and community growth through professional, youth, cultural, and sports exchanges; English language acquisition and teacher training; leadership development; scholarship and fellowship programs; academic exchanges and partnerships; technical assistance; and institutional and individual capacity building.   

The Department Director is responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of projects that contribute to attaining Departmental, business office, and organizational objectives for growth and sustainability.  The Department Director is responsible for the short- and long-term strategic planning and development of new project activities, the creation of an effective organizational structure for project management and implementation; engagement in organization-wide leadership and governance activities; and liaison with all key clients and donors supporting the work of the Department. The Department Director reports to the Director of U.S. Programs and is a member of the U.S. Programs Leadership Team and the Operations Leadership Forum.

Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions:

Department management

• Develops and implements a consistent vision for the department with an emphasis on results, high quality management and technical implementation, and effective engagement of clients and stakeholders across the portfolio.
• Fosters innovation and drives adoption of evidence-based practices.
• Provides technical quality oversight through direct oversight, experience sharing, technical assistance, and mentoring. Ensures high client satisfaction and cost-efficient, compliant, and on-budget project implementation.
• Has regular meetings with GC project directors and senior staff to gauge client satisfaction, troubleshoot, and plan future project growth and activities.
• Participates in periodic meetings with clients to evaluate performance and discuss future role(s) on project activities.
• Meets regularly with GC staff to determine compliance with FHI 360 internal systems, as well as with client deadlines and requirements.
• Works with project directors to review reports/deliverables and ensure timely submission.
• May serve as acting project director during new project start-up or during periods of transition.
• Represents the Global Connections portfolio at U.S. Programs Leadership Team and Operations Leadership Forum meetings and ensures strong coordination and alignment between Global Connections and the organization.
• Participates in broader organizational meetings regarding policies, procedures, and operational protocols.

Financial management

• Maintains an overall governance and understanding of FHI 360 financial systems.
• Works with U.S. Programs business manager, GC finance team, and FHI 360 financial services to establish effective, stream-lined policies and procedures for managing, monitoring, and reporting on financial activities.
• Works with GC finance team to develop and review annual departmental G&A budget and revenue projections.
• Oversees a portfolio of 15-20 active projects, annually, ranging in contract value from $50,000 to $26 million.
• Works with diverse funders, including U.S. Department of State Bureaus, U.S. Embassies, other USG agencies, foundations, and the private sector.

Strategic management of departmental growth

• Directs short- and long-term strategic planning to ensure growth and viability of the department’s project portfolio in alignment with organizational priorities.
• Contributes to business office and organizational strategic planning to ensure that the GC portfolio complements and supports broader business development activities.
• Maintains and expands a robust portfolio of active projects through client and stakeholder engagement, business development, high quality project implementation, and thought leadership.
• Provides senior level oversight and guidance for capture management and proposal design.
• Identifies and secures funding for and launches new strategic products and services in line with strategic objectives and planning.
• Leads efforts to secure funding from foundations and the private sector.
• Works with organization’s strategy and communications teams to ensure visibility of GC’s project work and expertise.
• Spearheads efforts to maintain and strengthen Global Connections’ reputation for thought leadership through learning events, publications, presentations, and technical initiatives.
• Cultivates a network of partnerships with other relevant stakeholders including government funders, the private sector, academic institutions, researchers, and implementation partners.
• Builds a strong team of technical experts to focus on current project activities and engage in planning for future portfolio growth.
• Demonstrates an understanding of FHI 360 institutional goals and strategies, interprets how GC’s mission fits within those goals and strategies, and effectively articulates that message to staff, funders, and beneficiaries.
• Engages in and encourages internal FHI 360 cross-departmental collaboration and cooperation across business units and sectors.
• Ensures safeguarding is effectively integrated into project design and implementation, including for program participants, stakeholders, and FHI 360 staff.

Staff development

• Engages and motivates GC staff to meet project, department, and business unit mission and objectives.
• Hires and retains well-qualified, highly motivated project directors and technical leads. Directly supervises a team of 8-10 direct reports.
• Manages a departmental team of over 100 full-time U.S.-based staff working in a hybrid model.
• Works with Human Resources to identify and manage staffing and performance issues, as well as opportunities for job progression.
• Nurtures an inclusive and collaborative leadership team that is receptive to diverse persons and perspectives.
• Creates an environment of collaboration, teamwork, and high staff morale.
• Supports organization’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by, among other things, creating safe spaces for others to speak up without fear of punishment or humiliation; demonstrating openness to and respect for all; addressing personal impacts of bias, regardless of intent; and treating all people equitably.
• Provides staff professional development and facilitates diverse and rewarding work opportunities.
• Mentors senior staff, ensuring a pathway for professional growth and advancement.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent (Education, International Affairs, International Development, International Management, or Related Field)
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 15 years’ experience with project management principles and practices.
• Proficient with applicable rules, regulations, and policies associated with USG-funded international programs and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Experience with U.S. Department of State funded programming, including the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Regional Bureaus, and U.S. Embassies.
• Demonstrated experience in international exchange, scholarship, university partnerships, and/or training program management.
• Experience in leading and managing complex projects that are strategic in nature and national/international in scope.
• Experience in forward-thinking strategic and business planning and sound business leadership, ensuring compliance, operational and cost efficiency, successful business development, and technical excellence.
• Experience with financial analysis, budgeting, financial management of programs, and establishing operational standards.
• Strong people management skills with a record of recruiting, hiring, supporting, and mentoring high performing, diverse and inclusive teams.
• Experience working with foundations and private funders preferred.
• Experience working with participants/programs with complex implementation contexts, countries with restrictive governments, and conflict/post-conflict environments, including the incorporation of best practices for safety and security as well as mental well-being.  
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.

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%

Application instructions

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