Technical Director/Team Lead: Objective 1

As a Technical Director/Team Lead at Jhpiego, your primary responsibilities will include providing technical leadership and strategic direction for project activities, ensuring the quality and integration of interventions. You'll also oversee day-to-day management of project implementation, collaborate with local stakeholders, and mentor other professionals within the healthcare team. Your role is pivotal in ensuring that the project meets its goals while effectively addressing the RMNCAH&N needs in Zambia.

Candidates applying for the Technical Director/Team Lead position at Jhpiego are expected to possess a clinical degree (preferably a doctor or nurse) and a Master's in Public Health is preferred. Additionally, applicants should have at least 9 years of experience in implementing integrated RMNCAH&N service delivery, along with a strong understanding of the Zambian healthcare system and experience in quality improvement at both facility and community levels.

In the Technical Director/Team Lead role at Jhpiego, engagement with stakeholders is critical. You will collaborate closely with USAID, the Ministry of Health, and various other organizations and partners to ensure that project activities align with regulatory requirements. You’ll participate actively in technical advisory groups and maintain robust relationships with stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of technical assistance provided.

The Technical Director/Team Lead plays a vital role in monitoring and evaluating project progress at Jhpiego. You will work with monitoring and evaluation staff to create a plan that tracks data and results pertaining to RMNCAH&N service delivery. This oversight will help in making data-informed adjustments and ensuring the objectives of the project are met effectively.

Strong leadership qualities are essential for the Technical Director/Team Lead at Jhpiego. You should possess excellent diplomacy skills, the ability to foster teamwork, and a knack for mentoring your team. Your strategic thinking and experience managing diverse teams will help in driving the project’s objectives while maintaining positive relationships with all stakeholders involved.

Sure! My approach to providing technical leadership involves setting clear objectives, actively collaborating with team members, and ensuring that interventions are evidence-based and community-focused. I believe that maintaining constant communication with stakeholders and engaging with local communities is key to successful project implementation and achieving desired health outcomes.

To ensure quality and consistency in technical assistance, I implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation processes, establish solid feedback loops, and conduct regular training sessions for the team. Keeping updated with the latest evidence and best practices also plays a critical role in maintaining the standard of services delivered.

In one project, we encountered significant delays in service delivery due to a lack of local stakeholder engagement. I organized a series of meetings with key community representatives to discuss our goals and address their concerns. This not only helped in re-establishing trust but also led to actionable solutions that mobilized further community support, ultimately getting the project back on track.

I build capacity within my team through continuous professional development opportunities, including workshops and mentorship programs. By encouraging team members to take on leadership roles in projects and fostering an environment where they can share knowledge and experiences, I help them grow both personally and professionally.

Engaging with governmental bodies requires a strategic approach that prioritizes transparency and collaboration. I focus on developing strong relationships through routine meetings, sharing project updates, and openly discussing challenges and successes. This level of engagement fosters trust and enables smoother cooperation on shared health goals.

Navigating cultural sensitivities requires understanding and respect for local customs and values. I promote community involvement in the planning stages of service delivery, conduct cultural competency training for team members, and continually seek feedback from community leaders to ensure that our approaches are culturally appropriate and effective.

I have extensive experience working with USAID’s administrative and reporting procedures, having managed several projects that required compliance with their standards. I ensure that my team is well trained in these procedures, and I prioritize timely and accurate reporting to maintain transparency and accountability within the project.

Monitoring and evaluation are integral to my project management strategy. I have led the design of M&E frameworks to track key indicators in health projects, facilitating data-driven decision-making. Regular reviews and adjustments based on M&E findings have been crucial in improving project outcomes and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

Managing a diverse project team requires sensitivity to individual strengths and challenges. I foster an inclusive environment by encouraging open communication, respecting diverse viewpoints, and regularly checking in on team members’ progress and wellbeing. I offer mentorship that caters to individual career goals, helping each team member realize their potential.

In my previous roles, I have developed various innovative approaches, such as community engagement strategies that integrate local health workers and mobile technology for timely health education and monitoring. These initiatives enhanced accessibility and awareness of RMNCAH&N services, leading to improved outcomes in the communities we served.