The World at Abt 

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Global. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges. 

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we effect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game. 

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you. Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity

Abt Global is preparing for an upcoming USAID-funded health activity (project) in Afghanistan that aims to improve the quality of health and nutrition services, increase access to health services, improve healthy behavior and care-seeking practices, and strengthen the health system to enhance resilience.  The activity will focus on increasing equitable access to and utilization of quality health and nutrition services and adoption of health behaviors, especially for women and children, in both the public and private sectors.  

As the Technical Director, you will serve as the project’s technical lead, reporting to the Chief of Party (COP). You will have the responsibility of overseeing all technical components of the activity, continually improving implementation quality, and ensuring the activity adheres to technical best practices. You will support the COP with the overall implementation and management of the program, ensure an integrated vision, and serve as program representative in absence of the COP. The position will be full-time for the duration of the program and based in Kabul, Afghanistan. The position is contingent upon the activity’s award and USAID approval.

Core Responsibilities 

Provide technical supervision, oversight, and strategic guidance to program activities in key technical areas of the project including maternal and child health, family planning/reproductive health, TB, nutrition, quality improvement, social and behavior change, private sector health, and health system strengthening.  Ensure that activity components are results-oriented, deliverables are of high quality, and reporting is relevant and timely. The Technical Director must focus on achieving results in all areas within the timeframe and ensure synergies and cohesion between the different result areas and teams. Provide technical leadership in the development of annual planning, project reporting, and other project deliverables.  Provide strategic guidance and oversight in the development of overarching project approaches including clinical quality improvement, identification of clinical training needs, organizational capacity strengthening, piloting of innovative service delivery approaches, and scale-up of promising or proven approaches.  Implement learning approaches to establish a culture of adaptive management that responds to contextual shifts, new data, and evolving priorities by adapting decision making, resource allocation, and implementation approaches as necessary. Oversee development and implementation of tailored organizational and individual capacity strengthening efforts Strengthen capacity of project teams through training, mentorship, and supervision to ensure implementation of high-quality activities. Support project staff to ensure high quality transfer of skills and knowledge to Afghan institutions and communities. Provide technical support and guidance to the COP on issues related to technical areas/functions and ensure that all activities are consistent with accepted best practices. Directly supervise technical/programmatic leads to ensure a consistent and integrated approach across all project activities. Oversee the technical work of consultants, sub-awardees, and grantees, and any other entities directly contributing to the project’s activities and results. Participate in technical meetings, select technical working groups, and external meetings and conferences to represent the project and ensure collaboration on relevant technical work.  Establish and maintain strong relationships with USAID and local counterparts including the MoPH and Provincial Public Health Directorates to ensure effective coordination of activities with civil society, private sector, development partners, and other USAID and donor-funded initiatives. Ensure all technical activities align with USAID, Abt, and local regulations.  Assist the COP in the overall management of the project, including programmatic aspects. Other duties as assigned.

What We Value

Medical degree required; master’s degree in public health or other related fields preferred.  More than 10 years of experience serving in a senior technical position for a public health project, with experience at a USAID-funded project highly desirable. Experience implementing prior projects in conflict settings, preferably Afghanistan. In-depth knowledge of Afghanistan’s current public and private health system including challenges and opportunities.  Demonstrated expertise in most of the following technical areas: maternal and child health, family planning/reproductive health, TB, nutrition, clinical quality improvement, social and behavior change, private sector health, and health system strengthening.   Experience in applying capacity strengthening techniques at the individual and organizational levels.  Ability to translate data and global best practice to specific project activities and contexts.  Track record of exceptional communication skills including ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with USAID, host country government represents, and stakeholders from other donors, civil society, NGOs, implementing partners, and the private sector.  Demonstrated management and supervisory experience of complex, technical teams and ability to develop cohesive teamwork across technical domains.  Fluency in English required. Fluency in Dari or Pashto preferred.

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.

Abt Global is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Global provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt Global will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment.  All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt Global also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

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