The Program Director (PD) role reports directly to the PE Division Head and includes three primary functions: support in development and implementation of PE strategy, oversight of a portfolio of performance evaluation projects, and managing a team of PE staff supporting the evaluations:

1. The PD is expected to work closely with and support the PE Division Head in setting the division’s strategy. He/she will then be accountable for implementing the strategy established by the division team. He/she will also market and represent the company in a variety of fora.
2. The PD will oversee a sub-portfolio of PE projects. The Program Director will be accountable for the financial performance, technical quality, client satisfaction and contractual compliance of the sub-portfolio. A critical component of this portfolio oversight will be to engage in client relationship management activities to ensure that SI always maintains an effective channel of communication with our clients.
3. Finally, the Program Director will manage a team of project management professionals, and support their professional development.

Responsibilities:

• Supports Division Head in setting the division strategy.
• Supports the Division Head in the implementation of the strategy, specifically taking accountability for a portion of the strategic initiatives planned.
• Represents SI at key marketing and outreach events and seeks out new opportunities to market the company.
• Represents SI with key clients and also provides regular check-ins with clients in his/her portfolio.
• Directly oversees a sub-portfolio of evaluation projects.
• Supervises up to six staff.
• Accountable for the technical quality, financial performance, client satisfaction and contractual compliance of the sub-portfolio.
• Support BD activities by serving as technical lead, technical writer, or reviewer on numerous proposals. Contributes to staffing, partnering, technical, and pricing decisions on assigned bids in consultation with the Division Head and across the organization.
• Provides senior-level management support on SI projects in a variety of roles.

Personnel Management

The Program Director will be responsible for managing staff.

Personnel management responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the creation of an emotionally safe environment in the PE where staff are comfortable in open exchange and disagreement.
• Building strong relationships with all supervisees to ensure the PD’s ability to provide feedback effectively.
• Serving as a coach and mentor to assigned staff, providing career advice, facilitating professional development and advocating for staff interests.
• Advise on professional development opportunities, approval of professional development time, conference attendance and/or funds within the firm’s professional development policy.
• Carrying out ongoing and end-of-year performance appraisals for assigned staff, seeking input from other managers and staff who have worked with the staff member.
• Recommending staff for promotion based on their performance during the end-of-year appraisal process.
• Aligning staff interests and expertise with projects and organizational needs.

The Program Director will also work with peer Program Directors, Deputy Directors and senior management on personnel management issues, including:

• Assessing workloads, identifying personnel resource needs through forecasting, and approving resource leveling or hiring decisions.
• Making final decisions in collaboration with the VP and other SI executives on the hiring of new sub-portfolio staff.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in international development or other related social sciences.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, including 5 years in a management and oversight position.
• Demonstrated experience managing large and/or complex donor contracts.
• Thorough knowledge of performance evaluations, including quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Thorough knowledge of government and/or donor contracting practices, required.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervising personnel, co-workers, field office staff, donors, supervises, business professionals, and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and provide advice and guidance in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Experience working with USAID, Department of State and/or other donor agencies and foundations to produce useful and accurate products.
• Extensive demonstrated experience as an evaluation team leader, team member, and/or adviser.
• Demonstrated experience managing personnel, providing mentorship, and/or conducting resource planning.
• Proficiency in a second language a plus.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, management, and writing skills required.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, growing business environment.
• Willingness to travel on assignment approximately 25% of the time.