Project Director, Mitigating antimalarial drug resistance in Africa at PATH
PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges.
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PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.
PATH’s Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (MNTDs) program is a leader in the global effort to end malaria illnesses and deaths and reduce the burden of neglected tropical diseases. We strive to refine and develop new tools and approaches, invest in national programs, and expand, analyze, and interpret the evidence base needed to guide rational decision-making in the pursuit of malaria control and elimination.
PATH seeks a Project Director for an anticipated Unitaid-funded project, Mitigating antimalarial drug resistance in Africa. Antimalarial drug resistance is an urgent threat to progress in the fight against malaria. Resistance mitigation strategies include scaling up and supporting effective use of multiple quality artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) alongside other efforts to reduce resistance pressure. Currently, a single ACT, artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is used to treat more than 80% of malaria cases in Africa. The purpose of the anticipated MADRA grant is to enable operational research on approaches to effectively deploy multiple first-line treatments (MFT) in African countries and reducing reliance on AL. Evidence from studies will support planning for broader MFT rollout in both the study countries and in other African countries, updating national treatment strategies, introduction and scale-up of MFT treatment programs, and engagement with the supply side of the ACT market to support availability and reduced costs of newer ACTs.
The Project Director will work with external research and community partners and PATH staff from MNTDs and other PATH global and country program teams to guide overall implementation and management of the project in multiple countries in Africa.
Please note this position is contingent upon award to PATH and approval from the donor.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Provide overall project leadership (programmatic, financial, and administrative) consistent with PATH’s mission, values, and People Philosophy
- Model cultural and organizational agility internally and externally
- Co-develop and execute the overall project strategy and work plan, ensuring the completion of all project deliverables.
- Direct and monitor implementation of activities within the work plan, ensuring that they are effectively implemented, performed to a high professional standard, and fulfill all Unitaid and PATH requirements.
- Provide or coordinate technical supervision for all aspects of contract work, including consultant and subcontractor identification and management.
- Represent PATH and build and maintain excellent, productive relationships with Unitaid, project partners, ministries of health and other government stakeholders, and other relevant actors.
- Serve as the project representative responsible for all issues, concerns, or problems and liaise with Unitaid personnel to support project implementation and respond to all questions, concerns, and comments.
- Ensure timely and complete submission of all performance reports and responses to Unitaid requests for performance, success stories, and financial information.
- Guide the learning agenda for the project, use lessons learned to modify project approaches and strategies, and disseminate findings through peer-reviewed journals, conferences and convenings, and direct engagement with various stakeholders.
- Liaise across the PATH Malaria portfolio to ensure efficiency in implementing the project.
- Participate in the further development and evolution of PATH’s overall work to mitigate antimalarial drug resistance and improve care delivery to individuals diagnosed with malaria.
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Core competencies/required skills:
- Advanced degree in medicine, public health, public administration, or business.
- At least 10 years of experience managing international projects in global health, preferably malaria, including experience leading operational research studies, collaborating closely with ministries of health and other government and civil society stakeholders in low- or lower-middle income countries.
- Demonstrated management, leadership, mentorship, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent people management skills with commitment to building a shared vision of the future, setting standards, and managing individual and team performance across multiple country sites.
- Demonstrated ability to work with partners to achieve results.
- Demonstrated capacity to operate within the malaria international community and function as a leader on matters of malaria treatment.
- Full professional proficiency in English, with excellent oral and written communications skills required.
- Ability to interact professionally in French and/or Portuguese desired.
- Ability to travel internationally, estimated at 30%
- Demonstrated ability in leading geographically dispersed teams.
- Ability to work with people with divergent points of view and to respectfully navigate differences.
- The candidate is expected to have significant experience with the planning, design, and execution of global technical assistance.
- Must have legal authorization to work in a PATH country office location in Africa.
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PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.
PATH is an equal-opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment.
PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
