Deputy Project Director (DPD), Global Health Security (GHS)

About EVIHDAF

EVIHDAF (www.evihdaf.com) is an international research and development organization headquartered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, which serves the West and Central Africa region. We have an office in Niamey, Niger, and a Data Unit satellite office in Parakou, Benin. Utilizing a diverse array of approaches rooted in rigorous design, adaptive, cutting-edge, and locally relevant methods, we provide services in Health Program Implementation and Scale-Up; Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (RMEL); Data Systems for Decision-Making; and Capacity Strengthening. We are positioned to serve as a Regional Hub for the coordination of various initiatives in West & Central Africa. Our practice areas include Health and Health Systems, Nutrition and Food Security, Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience, and Population Migration and Displacements.

Position Overview

EVIHDAF and its partners are looking for an experienced Deputy Project Director (DPD) in anticipation of a Global Health Security (GHS) project funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The DPD provides senior-level strategic, administrative, and operational leadership to ensure the successful implementation of GHS activities across the Prevent, Detect, and Respond framework.

Reporting directly to the Project Director, the DPD is responsible for the day-to-day management of program activities, ensuring that all activities are executed with high quality and aligned with CDC standards and the America First Global Health Strategy, and that program milestones are achieved on time, within budget, and in full compliance with U.S. Government (USG) regulations and new Bilateral Agreements on Global Health Cooperation. This role requires a high degree of flexibility, the ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment, and a strong capacity to navigate complex multicultural contexts.

Specific Responsibilities

Program Management and Leadership

• Track, compile, and quality-check contractual deliverables; ensure timely submission and compliance with donor/contract requirements throughout the project’s lifecycle.
• Monitor progress against project scope, timeline, budget, and contractual requirements; flag risks early and propose mitigation actions.
• Facilitate alignments of workplans, budgets, and sequencing across partners and technical areas in accordance with project and donor requirements.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement plans to strengthen project systems, workflows, and performance management.
• Lead reviews of project’s staffing plan and the development of project teams to ensure compliance with policies and procedures. Supports staff capacity strengthening and improvement plans as needed.
• Support the transition of financial and operational responsibility to partner governments to ensure long-term sustainability and local ownership.
• Serve as the acting Project Director in their absence, providing high-level representation to stakeholders, partners, and donors.

Administration and Finance

• Oversee budget tracking and burn-rate monitoring in collaboration with finance; reconcile workplan activities with budgets and forecasts.
• Oversee the Finance and Operations team to develop,monitor and report on annual work plans and budgets, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources in compliance with donor, local and company regulations
• Ensure adherence to co-investment requirements mandated by bilateral agreements to promote shared responsibility.
• Oversee sub-award management, ensuring that local partners and regional bodies meet technical and financial performance requirements.
• Ensure that all procurement and operational activities comply with both EVIHDAF internal policies and CDC/Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) standards.
• Identify and promote innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships, to address local health security challenges and reduce reliance on U.S. taxpayer funding.

Reporting and Compliance

• Lead the compilation and submission of high-quality quarterly and annual progress reports, ensuring data accurately reflects progress toward the project’s main outcomes and the America First Global Health Strategy objectives.
• Oversee establishment and maintenance of a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework to track improvements in GHS performance indicators, including Joint External Evaluation (JEE) scores, IHR States Parties Self-Assessment (SPAR), and the Pandemic Fund Framework.
• Monitor compliance with CDC cooperative agreement requirements, including environmental mitigation, data sharing protocols, and branding/marking guidelines.

Key Experience and Qualifications

• Educational Background: Master’s Degree or higher (MBA, MA) in Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related leadership field.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in managing large-scale, complex international public health programs, with at least 5 years in a senior management role.
• Donor Experience: Prior strong experience on U.S. Government (USG) funding projects is essential. Familiarity with CDC-funded cooperative agreements and specific CDC reporting requirements is highly desirable.
• Soft Skills: Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and maintain flexibility in a dynamic work environment.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English; fluency in French is highly desirable.
• Cultural Competence: Proven experience working in multicultural contexts and the ability to lead diverse technical teams across multiple geographic locations.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required (up to 20%), including to remote or resource-limited settings.
• Leadership Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build effective partnerships with governmental and international stakeholders.

How to apply?

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application package via email to Recruitment@evihdaf.com, with subject line “Deputy Project Director – GHS”.

The application package must include:

1. A Cover Letter (maximum three pages) detailing the candidate’s relevant experience and suitability for the position.
2. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum of seven (7) pages), including the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional referees.

Candidates from the West and Central Africa region are particularly encouraged to apply.

The position will remain open until it is filled.

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Other related vacancies can be accessed at https://www.evihdaf.com/job-openings/