[Hiring] Program Director @Management Sciences for Health

Role Description

MSH seeks a Program Director for a potential 5-year Rapid Outbreak and Response (ROR) project funded by the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD) of the U.S. Department of State. The program aims to advance timely, effective responses to infectious disease outbreaks by supporting immediate response actions during the earliest stages of an outbreak when rapid intervention can significantly limit transmission and reduce morbidity and mortality.

The program capitalizes on existing country capacities and partnerships to support swift activation of outbreak response activities, complementing national leadership and established response frameworks.

• Rapid Activation and Surge Response
• Early Detection, Containment, and Mitigation
• Coordinated and Operationally Effective Response Support
• System Reinforcement and Transition from emergency surge to recovery

This position is subject to project award and funding. The job location is flexible to candidates in the U.S. and other countries where MSH can hire. Candidates can be remote or on-site.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES: The Program Director leads and manages the project and is accountable for project deliverables and results, with full accountability and authority for the development, execution, and monitoring of the project, including vision and technical strategy; project management; documentation and communication; client(s) stakeholder(s) relationships; thought leadership; and coordination and synergy with other MSH projects.

Qualifications

• MPH, MD, or relevant master’s degree required; PhD in epidemiology, public health surveillance, infectious diseases, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 8-10+ years of progressively responsible experience in global health security, epidemic preparedness, surveillance system strengthening, laboratory systems, or emergency response.
• Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in at least two core GHS areas: epidemic prevention, public health surveillance, laboratory detection systems, GHS workforce development, emergency preparedness/response, or One Health.
• Strong experience partnering with Ministries of Health, national public health institutes, and government stakeholders.
• Prior experience directing large international donor-funded projects, preferably USG-funded.
• Proven strategic planning, visioning, and high-level stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with USG regulations, reporting systems, and program implementation expectations.
• Excellent communication, diplomacy, conflict resolution, and team leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work within complex networks and coordinate across technical, geographic, and institutional boundaries.
• Fluency in English required; French fluency is advantageous and preferred.

Requirements

• Lead and oversee implementation of all project activities related to rapid activation and surge response, early detection, containment, and mitigation to infectious disease threats, coordinated and operationally effective response support, and system reinforcement and transition from emergency surge to recovery.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the donor, ensuring high-quality deliverables, compliance, and timely achievement of program milestones.
• Ensure strong coordination with MOHs, national public health institutes, regional bodies, implementing partners, relevant academic institutions, and other USG agencies and other donors working in global health security.
• Uphold MSH standards for financial, contractual, political, and technical integrity.
• Provide vision and leadership to design, adapt, and implement technical approaches supporting GHS across the Prevent–Detect–Respond spectrum.
• Oversee development and refinement of the results framework, performance monitoring plan, MERL systems, and annual work plans as required by the donor.
• Guide strategies to build government capacities to lead and manage GHS efforts including strengthen surveillance systems.
• Support enhancement of laboratory systems, biosafety, sample transport systems, diagnostic capacity, and data-to-action processes.
• Develop strategies to strengthen and expand public health workforce as needed/requested.
• Oversee activities to strengthen emergency operations, including rapid response teams, incident management systems, and multisector coordination mechanisms.
• Ensure documentation, learning, and dissemination of project results for maximum global impact.
• Ensure strong operational management, including compliance with GHSD and USG requirements and MSH SOPs.
• Establish a streamlined project staffing structure that reflects technical and geographic priorities and optimizes coordination with MOHs, USG and other entities; build a strong team of exceptional experts and professionals who deliver.
• Manage, mentor, and develop project staff through supportive supervision, performance management, and capacity-building plans.
• Promote a culture of learning, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with GHSD, other USG agencies, MOHs, national public health institutes, implementing partners, regional bodies, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that project intelligence, political developments, risk factors, and opportunities are continuously monitored and communicated internally.
• Represent the project and MSH in national, regional, and global GHS fora.
• Ensure strong thought leadership and shared learning strategies and platforms.

Benefits

• The expected salary range for this position is: $152,000.00 - $185,000.00 annually (U.S. locations only).
• MSH considers multiple job-related factors when determining an offer, including but not limited to, business and organizational needs, candidate qualifications, internal equity, location, and internal budget.
• Salary is just one of many aspects of our total rewards package; at MSH, our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive set of competitive benefits that includes:
• A substantial vacation, sick and holiday policies
• Training and development programs
• Competitive insurance coverage for health, vision, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability
• 401k plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• The selected candidate is expected to work from one of MSH's offices in the US.

Company Description

MSH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. MSH complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, and all related applicable regulations.