Technical Director – CDC, Strengthening MOH Capacity in Eswatini

Pact seeks an experienced Technical Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Strengthening the organizational capacity of the Ministry of Health to deliver a sustainable and resilient response to HIV/TB and related public health threats in the Kingdom of Eswatini under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This project aims to enhance the Eswatini Ministry of Health’s (MOH) capacity to strengthen internal systems, structures, and processes for a sustainable and resilient HIV/TB response. It focuses on improving leadership and governance, financial resource mobilization and management, and workforce planning and performance. This position is contingent upon award. 

Technical Director is a member of a senior management team. S/he will provide the overall technical direction and oversight to ensure the achievement of the project’s goals and strategies. S/he will lead the design and implementation of evidence-based interventions. S/he will supervise and mentor a technical team, overseeing the integration of project goals into M&E plans and coordinating efforts with regionally based implementation teams and across various levels of government. S/he will report to the Principal Investigator/Country Director (PI/CD) and ensure comprehensive technical oversight and coordination with the regional and district level activities on an ongoing basis.  

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate includes:  

• Steer Strategic Leadership for HIV/TB Interventions: Assume full accountability for the strategic design and execution of high-impact HIV/TB interventions in partnership with national and regional stakeholders, ensuring alignment with internationally accepted guidelines and standards to optimize response services.
• Empower and Guide Technical Personnel: Supervise, coach, and mentor a dedicated team of technical experts, fostering their contributions to the project’s comprehensive technical and strategic approach, while ensuring seamless integration into monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plans and coordination at all levels of the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
• Drive Timely Implementation of Objectives: Take ownership of the timely execution of all project activities, ensuring that objectives and targets are met consistently through proactive oversight and management.
• Lead Annual Workplan Development: Spearhead the collaborative development of annual workplans with project staff, CDC, and the Ministry of Health (MOH), ensuring meticulous execution of planned activities through ongoing coordination with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Cultivate Collaborative Technical Partnerships: Champion the co-development and implementation of technical activities with sub-national government stakeholders, establishing clear benchmarks to enhance government capacity and facilitate the effective transition of key activities throughout the project's duration.
• Integrate Technical Contributions Across Partners: Coordinate and optimize technical contributions from all project partners, adhering to principles of integration and capacity strengthening to enhance the project’s overall effectiveness.
• Deliver Comprehensive Reporting and Evaluation: Oversee the development of critical deliverables such as quarterly and annual reports, field evaluations, and other key documentation in collaboration with staff and external evaluators, ensuring timely and thorough communication of project progress.
• Promote Documentation and Dissemination of Best Practices: Actively work with project staff and implementing partners to identify, document, and share best practices, ensuring that valuable insights are fostered and utilized effectively.
• Engage in Thought Leadership and Knowledge Sharing: Develop and present scholarly papers at local, regional, and international forums, showcasing experiences and best practices derived from project activities, thereby positioning the project as a leader in HIV/TB response initiatives.
• All other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Requirements Education and Experience: 

• Master’s degree and 9+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 5 years of management experience or Bachelor’s degree and 11+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant field, such as medicine, public health, health system management, social administration, or social sciences.  
• Experience working in the health system within Eswatini.
• Demonstrated capacity strengthening the organizational capacity of the Ministry of Health to deliver and sustain services is required.

Additional Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments.    
• Previous experience working on CDC and donor-funded health programming in Eswatini.    
• Demonstrated leadership and technical management skills.    
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders, including local organizations, government institutions, private sector entities, and US Government agencies.    
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building. 

• Proficiency in English (oral, writing, and reading). Proficiency in Siswati a plus.

• Ability to travel within Eswatini and occasionally internationally. 

• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Eswatini.    
• Health professions degree strongly preferred. 
• Experience designing or implementing gender- or youth-sensitive health programming.  
• Swazi nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.