Technical Director, Governance at Cardno, Inc. in Arlington, Virginia

Job Description:

The Technical Director, Governance will be responsible for management, business development, and technical consulting. Specifically, the position will entail management and technical oversight of donor or private client funded projects as well as leading business development efforts in across the ID Division, including the expansion of business into new geographies and clients.

Job Description:

Project Management (20%)

• Oversees governance programs or coordinated program activities with responsibility for delivering activities and outputs, meeting donor reporting requirements, financial management and oversight, and other commitments specified in funding agreements.


• Provides strategic direction and management to projects and identifies appropriate tools and/or content based on best practices and experience.


• Interacts with Chief of Party/Team Leader and project management team on strategy and technical assistance and consults and integrates with senior management to ensure seamless integrated services are provided to clients.


• Ensures technical assistance and deliverables are of high quality and reflect best practices and innovation.


• Obtains regular client assessment of project progress and helps Chief of Party/Team Leaders and project management teams apply learnings to project management and activities.


• Challenges and enhances project profitability based upon best practice and experience.


• When acting as Project Director, ensures compliance with client regulations, contract terms and Cardno requirements of quality and efficient financial management including billing and collection issues.

Business Development (60%)

• Applies thorough understanding of market trends and overall international development business. Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of international development and technical direction order to identify cross-selling opportunities.


• Identifies business opportunities and leads qualification process; responsible for moving leads to capture, including preparation of capture scorecard.


• Leads and manages capture efforts and develops proposals.


• Responsible for long-term position of the business with key clients and manages client relationships.


• Determines priorities among opportunities within technical area, in collaboration with Unit Director.


• Takes a planned and logical approach to penetrate the market and sell.


• Demonstrates a strong focus on generating leads and the ability to make appropriate contacts.


• Identifies and promotes development of new delivery capabilities and/or channels to satisfy evolving market requirements.


• Develops and maintains relationships with experts, particularly Chief of Party/Team Leader candidates.


• Ensures the development of high quality, compliant and innovative proposals.


• Ensures proposal solution meets or exceeds profitability targets.


• Ensures business development activities are aligned with strategic marketing plan.


• Partners with current clients, proactively addressing their needs.

Technical Leadership (10%)

• Provides technical leadership in the areas of accountability, transparency, and responsiveness of governing institutions, systems and processes; design and implementation of evidence-based public policy, strengthening decentralization efforts empowering local governments, corruption prevention, institutional strengthening in communities, local nongovernmental organizations, and governments to provide services to vulnerable populations.


• Coordinate technical support to country programs for the design and development, review, and refinement of governance programs.


• Carried out research in the areas of economic policy that lead to stronger government institutions in developing countries.


• Expands Cardno ID's role and profile as a thought leader on governance by leading engagement with different external audiences through research and writing, conference participation, public speaking, design and testing of innovative program tools and approaches; and engaging donors in dialogue on emerging issues and program opportunities.


• Identifies and manages input to develop innovative, analytical approaches to complex problems.


• Evaluates options with client and produces technical assistance, training and deliverables that reflect donor and beneficiary client needs.


• Ensures deliverables match with engagement scope and client expectations.


• Builds plan for follow-up to ensure that changes implemented will be sustainable.

Corporate and Financial Management (10%)

• Demonstrates senior leadership skills in the management of people, providing constructive feedback and mentoring.


• Sets very high standards for service performance and quality of products/deliverable for all projects in the technical area / service line and constantly strives to improve them.


• Keeps Unit Director abreast of any issues or potential risks, and works collaboratively with Director and colleagues to resolve or mitigate them.


• Operates effectively in a fast changing environment and mentors others to do the same.


• Embraces change and leads others through change.


• Participate in the continual improvement of corporate systems and tools.

Education

• Master's or doctoral degree or equivalent in political science, political economy, public administration, public policy, law, or related development field.

Experience

• A minimum of 12 years of related experience. 15 years of progressively responsible experience is preferred.


• Experience designing and/or implementing governance programs including civil society strengthening/civic engagement, CSO organizational capacity development, local governance and decentralization, and/or sectoral governance, such as education and health.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong supervisory and mentoring skills, with management experience overseeing various activities;


• Strong leadership and organizational skills demonstrated by ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail;


• Strong communication and coordination skills, with experience overseeing, reporting on, and building the capacity of local organizations and staff;


• Demonstrates effective problem-solving and decision-making skills; and


• High level proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook required.

Competencies

• Ability to work across various teams with excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build consensus and navigate complex operating environments, including demonstrated experience managing and supervising financial, administrative, and procurement personnel;


• Demonstrated cultural sensitivities;


• Able to work under pressure, prioritize, and solve problems in ambiguous situations;


• Ability to build and maintain useful and wide-ranging networks of contacts at institution, country or regional level;


• Demonstrated commitment to principles of gender equality, capacity development and anti-corruption;


• Ability to quickly understand regional/country context and local sensitivities;


• Ability to negotiate effectively combining logic and reason with interpersonal sensitivity; and


• Employs effective and timely decision-making.

Physical Demands

• Travel 20-40% - International travel required


• Must be able to perform basic office functions.

Equal Opportunity statement for US based applicants

Cardno has a long standing policy of Equal Opportunity in employment. Our practice is to fill positions by selecting applicants who can perform the work in a competent and professional manner. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. At any time, if you need an accommodation during the application process, please contact Human Resources. 

Cardno does not accept unsolicited resumes from any 3rd party agencies. No fee will be paid to 3rd parties who submit unsolicited resumes to any Cardno employee. Resumes from approved vendors must be specifically requested by Cardno and approved by the Cardno Talent Acquisition Team.