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DESCRIPTION

JSI is dedicated to improving people’s lives around the world through greater health, education, and socioeconomic equity for individuals and communities, and to providing an environment where people of passion can pursue this cause. JSI is currently recruiting for a Director of Country Programs for the Asia Resilient Cities Project.

The Asia Resilient Cities (ARC) Project is a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by JSI, with partners DevTech Systems, Inc., BRAC, ICF, John Snow India Private Limited, and The Asia Foundation. Over the course of five years, ARC will address cross-cutting urban development challenges in select cities in Asia by promoting sustainable urban growth; supporting resilient, low-carbon urban infrastructure; and integrating climate change and environmentally-conscious approaches.

The Director of Country Programs (DCP) oversees country operations and management, including good government, industry, and community relations, and is responsible for the overall success of country programs. The DCP is one of four team directors who report to the ARC Project Director and supports the Project Director to ensure consistent, coordinated implementation of the project’s technical activities across the country portfolio. They will lead and supervise a Country Management Team that supports the day-to-day management and implementation of country work plans, including budget oversight, implementing partner management, quarterly/annual reporting, and implementation of technical activities. The DCP ensures that ARC standards of good practice are understood and carried out across cities, and facilitates key partnerships at the country and regional level with government, civil society organizations (CSOs), and private sector entities. This includes negotiation and signing of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and other agreements. The DCP is also the senior point of contact for USAID Missions (supported by the ARC project lead in each country), ensuring their inputs on country activities are reflected in ARC work plans, timelines, and reporting. Hand-in-hand with the ARC Project Director, the DCP will also ensure cohesive and effective implementation of ARC programming. The DCP will be proactive in identifying technical needs and knowledge gaps on project city teams, cross-city learning opportunities, and government priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• As the head of the Country Management Team, oversees all country operations and management.

• Provides direct supervision and mentorship of the project lead in each country, ensuring that ARC standards of good practice are understood and carried out across cities. This includes monitoring workload, providing feedback, and hands-on coaching to ensure high performance.

• Oversees all communications between USAID Missions and ARC project leads.

• Manages relationships with USAID Missions in ARC countries to ensure positive relationships, regular communications, and compliance with funding stream technical requirements.

• Facilitates key partnerships at the country and regional level with government, CSOs, and private sector entities.

• In collaboration with the Project Director, ensures consistent, coordinated implementation of the project’s technical activities across the country portfolio.

• Oversees all negotiations for MOUs with the government and the private sector. Ensures MOUs have appropriate legal and technical review and are executed over the course of the project.

• Provides direct leadership, guidance, and support for city work plans. Responsible for ensuring these plans are produced on time, appropriately formatted, and include all relevant and appropriate activities.

• Responsible for identifying technical needs and knowledge gaps of ARC city teams and government priorities.

• Fosters learning and exchanges across global and country portfolios to identify promising practices, innovations, and lessons learned with support from the monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) and knowledge management teams.

• Works with the Project Director and MERL Director to ensure a coordinated ARC approach.

• Reviews country program deliverables and work plans to ensure high quality and timely completion.

• Travel is estimated to be 30 percent or less per year.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in project management, resilience, urban planning, systems change, organizational theory, social work, or a related field is required.

• Minimum of 15 years of experience supporting implementation of activities in multiple countries in a donor-funded or nongovernmental organization environment is required.

• A highly organized individual with proven diplomacy and/or negotiation skills and management experience is required.

• Must be an excellent collaborator and team player.

• Prior experience working with USAID, US Government-funded, bilateral, and multilateral projects is required.

• Experience working in climate change, disaster management, urban development, ecosystems, or related fields preferred but not required.

• Fluency in English is required, and a second language (Hindi, Gujarati, Bangla, Russian, Kyrgyz, and/or Mongolian) is a distinct advantage.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

• Attention to detail and the ability to work in teams and manage workflow processes under time sensitive project deadlines are required.

• Strong initiative and self-motivation, comfortable managing multiple activities simultaneously across geographic regions.

• Must be proficient in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms).

Salary commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Compensation package:

• Yearly pay

Experience level:

• 10 years

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Arlington, VA 22202