Program Director

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. Activities support countries to 1) Rapid Activation and Surge Response, 2) Early Detection, Containment, and Mitigation, 3) Coordinated and Operationally Effective Response Support, and 4) System Reinforcement and Transition from emergency surge to recovery. MSH is a global health nonprofit that works with local partners from the Ministry to the community to build strong, resilient, and equitable health systems in more than 150 countries. 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. This accountability includes effective contribution to business and resource development activities - including positioning, intelligence gathering, and proposal development - that contribute to fueling MSH’s mission. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES Project Results & Leadership 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. This work includes outbreak prevention and response, early warning systems, surveillance, laboratory detection, emergency response capacity, and national, regional, and international coordination. 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. Technical Strategy & Vision 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 such as event-based and indicator-based surveillance, early warning, digital disease detection, and data sharing with national and global partners. 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. Project & People Management 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. Client & Stakeholder Relationships 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. 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. 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, among others. The selected candidate is expected to work from one of MSH's offices in the US. 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. Know Your Rights - Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (English) Know Your Rights - Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (Spanish) Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a global health nonprofit that makes foundational changes to health systems to protect people from diseases and improve their health. MSH collaborates with local partners, from the Ministry to the community, to strengthen and complement existing health systems. Since 1971, MSH has worked in more than 150 countries to help ensure sustainable, resilient, and affordable access to quality health care around the globe. MSH is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to disability status and complies with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on disability. We are committed to fostering a workplace environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and we will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities upon request and in accordance with the law. If you are a candidate in need of assistance, an accommodation, or an alternative method to apply for an open position, please email talentacquisition@msh.org or call +1-703-524-6575 to be connected with Human Resources.