Project Director, UUTI Activity - Suva, Fiji

SUMMARY

American Councils is a premier, international nonprofit organization that strives to empower individuals and institutions to address challenges in a diverse and interconnected world. American Councils has designed and administered innovative programs that broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge, and deepen understanding for almost 50 years across 130 countries.

American Councils has recently opened offices in Suva, Fiji and Tarawa, Kiribati to implement the Uaiakinan ao Uarokoan Toronibwaia I-Kiribati Activity (the UUTI Activity), part of the MCC-Kiribati Threshold Program.  The MCC-Kiribati Threshold Program is a partnership between the US Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of Kiribati.  The UUTI Activity will equip I-Kiribati youth aged 15 to 17 with improved work-readiness skills.  UUTI, which is supported by the Kiribati Ministry of Education, provides youth skills camps and academic year scholarships for I-Kiribati high school students. Through their experience abroad, I-Kiribati students receive language immersion and a cultural experience that shall build self-confidence and work readiness in ways that are unique to student exchange programs. Students will study for an academic year in the United States or attend an immersive 3-4 week camp in Fiji or the United States. The Project Director will lead stakeholder engagement with the Ministry of Education in Kiribati, the U.S. Embassy, and other local stakeholders, as well as approving and monitoring all recruitment and pre-departure activities.

The Project Director will supervise 2 staff in Fiji and 2 staff in Kiribati, overseeing day-to-day operations in both Fiji and Kiribati. This position requires travel to Kiribati multiple times per year and works in conjunction with staff in Washington, DC. The Project Director reports to the Senior Project Manager in Washington, DC.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall leadership, management, and technical direction for the in-country (Fiji/Kiribati) components of the project while ensuring an integrated vision and strategy among different components and actors;
• Work jointly with MCC and American Councils’ D.C.-based staff to develop and implement project strategies;
• Oversee administration of the project and fiscal management to ensure all activities and expenditures comply with both American Councils and MCC policies;
• Manage a team of local and international staff; lead the preparation of strategic plans, work plans and budgets, and staffing plans; 
• Provide D.C. office with finance reports monthly, and budgets every six months; monitor all outgoing and incoming funds;
• Travel to Kiribati for recruitment and programming at least four times per year:
• Oversee the development of recruitment plans; supervise outreach efforts
• Oversee and actively participate in the recruitment and interviewing of I-Kiribati students for all 3 project sub-activities;
• Assist Kiribati staff with programming and meetings as required
• Support Technical Lead in implementation of Fiji camps and teacher training as needed;
• Develop and implement Pre-Departure Orientations and facilitate visa interviews and processing for students traveling to U.S. for camps and academic year;
• Oversee continued establishment of American Councils office in Fiji, ensuring compliance with project requirements and local law;
• Manage all general office administrative matters such as negotiating contracts; security; risk mitigation; and oversee hiring practices and performance review of staff in line with project requirements;
• Represent American Councils in individual consultations, public appearances, program orientations, funder meetings, and meetings with potential and existing partners; and
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Able to work in Fiji and travel to Kiribati 30% of time; 
• Master’s degree in Education, Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Development, or a related field; 
• At least eight years of relevant experience including at least 5 years as a manager of projects of similar scope and complexity;
• Experience working preferably in Pacific Islands or a similar setting; 
• Demonstrated experience and/or understanding of positive youth development (PYD) principles, language acquisition, ICT skill development, and/or cross-cultural workplace skills development; 
• A proven record of excellent management, leadership, decision-making, and interpersonal skills to ensure internal coherence among diverse team members and partners; 
• Professional fluency in English in both written and oral communication required;
• Experience studying in a U.S high school preferred;
• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills and experience; and
• Confident networking ability; demonstrated track record of creating and maintaining productive working relationships across government, private sector, and academia.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION

The anticipated start date for this position is September 1, 2024.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

American Councils is committed to taking affirmative steps to enhance employment opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities, and strives to ensure that meaningful employment and promotional opportunities are maintained for everyone. American Councils’ commitment to equal employment opportunity is based not only on federal requirements, but also on a longstanding commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

To apply, please select this link and follow the prompts: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=106975&clientkey=58AA089E0E2C786B7FE4217373F3BCBD