Technical Director – Unitaid Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative

Technical Director – Unitaid Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, Global Health

Location:
Malawi, Nigeria, Ethiopia

Project HOPE and its regional affiliate, African Public Health Network (APHN) seek a Technical Director toprovide strategic technical leadership and oversight for the successful implementation of a Unitaid-funded multi-country initiative, titled Accelerating Cancer Elimination through Secondary Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The project will focus on accelerating access to cervical cancer prevention and treatment services, with a particular focus on secondary prevention, in selected LMICs. The Technical Director will serve as the lead technical authority for the project, ensuring that all program components are grounded in the latest global evidence, aligned with normative guidance, and adapted effectively to country contexts. The TD will guide the design, implementation, and scale-up of evidence-based interventions across multiple regions, working closely with Ministries of Health, technical partners, and implementing organizations. The TD will report to APHN leadership, with technical collaboration and operational support from Project HOPE and regional teams.

Location: Africa (Preference for Malawi, Nigeria, Ethiopia)

This position is contingent upon award.

Code of Conduct 

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment.  Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability and transparency.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall technical vision and leadership for the project, ensuring alignment with global best practices and country-specific strategies for cervical cancer secondary prevention.
• Lead the design, adaptation, and scale-up of evidence-based interventions (e.g., HPV testing, screen-and-treat approaches, digital health solutions).
• Ensure alignment with global normative guidance, including WHO frameworks and evolving technical standards.
• Serve as the project’s principal technical spokesperson with donors, Ministries of Health, and global partners.
• Oversee the technical quality, fidelity, and effectiveness of all program interventions across countries.
• Guide countries in contextualizing technical approaches, including service delivery models, clinical protocols, and integration into national health systems.
• Ensure the application of implementation science approaches to optimize program performance and scale-up.
• Lead technical problem-solving for complex programmatic challenges in diverse LMIC settings.
• Ensure robust technical design of M&E frameworks, including indicators for quality of care, service coverage, and health outcomes.
• Promote the use of data for decision-making, adaptive management, and continuous quality improvement.
• Oversee generation and dissemination of implementation evidence, operational research, and learning agendas.
• Provide technical oversight for the introduction and scale-up of innovative technologies, including diagnostics and treatment modalities.
• Build and maintain strong technical partnerships with Unitaid, Ministries of Health, WHO, NGOs, and private sector actors.
• Represent the project in technical working groups, advisory bodies, and global fora.
• Support countries in strengthening national technical leadership and ownership.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to sub-partners, consultants, and country teams.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange across countries and partners.
• Lead the development of technical reports, publications, and knowledge products.
• Ensure systematic documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, best practices, and innovations.
• Work closely with program management and finance teams to ensure technical strategies are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with budgets.
• Contribute to work planning and resource allocation from a technical perspective.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in global health, including at least 10 years in senior technical leadership roles in LMICs.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in cervical cancer prevention and control, particularly secondary prevention (e.g., HPV screening, colposcopy, treatment of precancerous lesions).
• Strong knowledge of global guidelines and standards, including WHO strategies for cervical cancer elimination.
• Proven experience in designing and scaling evidence-based health interventions across multiple countries.
• Experience applying implementation science, operational research, and data-driven program improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze scientific literature, policies, and technical guidelines and translate them into programmatic action.
• Experience engaging with senior-level government officials, donors, and global partners on technical matters.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Professional fluency in English required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Clinical background (e.g., MD, nursing, or related field) with experience in oncology, reproductive health, or screening programs.
• Experience with introduction and scale-up of diagnostic and screening technologies in LMICs.
• Familiarity with digital health tools and data systems for screening and patient management.
• Experience with market-shaping, product introduction, and private sector engagement.
• Knowledge of health financing strategies, including investment cases and sustainable financing models.
• Demonstrated experience managing or advising multi-country consortia.
• Strong track record in capacity building and health systems strengthening.
• Familiarity with implementation challenges in African health systems.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.

Work environment:

• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.
• International travel may be required intermittently.
• Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation.
• Project HOPE and APHN employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”
• Emergency deployments may be in resource-constrained environments with austere living conditions.

Due to the large number of inquiries anticipated, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

As our projects and programs are active around the world, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE, APHN, and this exciting project opportunity.

EEO Statement

Project HOPE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, or status as a veteran. Project HOPE complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Project HOPE expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, or status as a veteran. Improper interference with the ability of Project HOPE employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.

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