India Project Director, AFGHS-FHI 360 at FHI 360 · New Delhi

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing—creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries and all US states and territories.

This position is contingent upon funding from the Department of State (DOS).

Project Description:

The America First Global Health Strategy – FHI 360 (AFGHS-FHI 360) project is initially a 13-month project (2026 – 2027) with the ability to be extended for up to five years (though 2031). Funded by the United States (US) Department of State (DOS), AFGHS-FHI 360 is a global fixed amount award (FAA) and operates in approximately 50 countries, addressing key public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, global health security (GHS), maternal and neonatal child health (MNCH), malaria, tuberculosis (TB), polio, supply chain (SC) and health systems strengthening (HSS). In India, AFGHS-FHI 360 builds off the country’s progress to date to future strengthen the country’s response to Polio and HIV. AFGHS-FHI 360 is recruiting a Project Director located in New Delhi, India. This position is open to Indian nationals only residing in India.

Job Summary:

The AFGHS-FHI 360 Country Project Director serves as the senior strategic, technical, and external-facing leader for the program. The position is responsible for setting program vision, shaping technical strategy, cultivating executive-level partnerships, and positioning FHI 360 as a trusted partner to government and donor stakeholders. The role provides cross-portfolio leadership across vaccine preventable disease (VPD/polio and HIV prevention and control programming including public health surveillance, health security, disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and emerging public health priorities, promoting integration, innovation, and scalable solutions across technical domains. As the program’s principal senior representative, the Country Project Director cultivates and sustains high-level relationships with national and state government leadership, donor representatives, multilateral institutions, the private sector, technical agencies, civil society, academia, and private-sector partners. The position proactively identifies opportunities to influence policy and implementation priorities, strengthen institutional capacity, mobilize strategic partnerships, and align program investments with broader public health system objectives. While accountable for overall project performance, the role delegates routine operational management and focuses primarily on strategic leadership, technical excellence, stakeholder influence, and organizational positioning. They will be required to coordinate and work with a diverse group of organizations and stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health, senior government officials of NCDC, IDSP and NACO/SACS, country health staff, international and national development partner organizations, and the United States Government (USG) donor representatives.

Reporting to the Program Director in HQ. The Project Director works in close collaboration with the AFGHS-FHI 360 headquarters (HQ) team, planning and directing project implementation, milestone success, and monitoring budget/spending from startup through closeout. Under a matrixed structure, they lead the country project team in the planning of project activities ensuring completion of the project on schedule and within budget constraints.

Accountabilities:

• Serve as FHI 360's principal representative with senior government officials, donors, and strategic partners.

• Define and periodically refine the program’s strategic vision, technical priorities, and implementation direction in response to evolving government priorities, donor expectations, epidemiological evidence, and the broader public health operating environment, with a specific focus on Polio and HIV in India.

• Translate national and state public health policies, strategic plans, and emerging priorities into actionable program strategies, investment priorities, and results-oriented implementation frameworks for HIV and Polio.

• Establish and maintain trusted relationships with senior policymakers and institutional decision-makers to advance program objectives, support evidence-informed policy development, and facilitate effective implementation of public health priorities.

• Advance innovative and sustainable approaches across HIV, Polio, health security, surveillance, and emerging public health priorities.

• Build and maintain relationships at national and state leadership levels to advance program objectives and implementation.

• Position FHI 360 as a thought leader and strategic partner within India's public health ecosystem.

• Ensure workshops, convenings, and partnership activities are strategically aligned and produce measurable outcomes.

• Strengthen collaboration between country operations and FHI 360's headquarters and global technical teams.

• Lead identification of new opportunities, partnerships, and approaches that expand program impact and sustainability.

• Mentor and develop senior staff while fostering a culture of innovation, learning, and accountability.

• Maintain executive oversight of project performance, compliance, risk management, and resource stewardship.

• Work closely with AFGHS-FHI 360 HQ on the development of annual work plans, milestone plans and budgets for timely submission to and approval by USG to implement those plans.

• Oversee technical and management reviews, to identify and escalate risks, address performance challenges and highlight accomplishments to ensure the program moves forward in a compliant manner.

• Oversee MEL functions across the project’s portfolio, guide output and outcomes linked to the approved workplan, support data use for decision making and reporting; and contribute to knowledge products.

• Guide technical and organizational capacity building initiatives with local partners and senior staff to ensure delivery of high-quality training, technical assistance, and reports.

• Represent the project in advancing evidence-based and innovative strategies and approaches on a global, regional and local level.

• Serve as a member of the FHI 360 India Senior Leadership Team and provide input and assistance to the management of the country program, develop country program strategy, business plans, operational plans and budgets.

• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.

• Other tasks as appropriate to the position.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrated strategic leadership and systems thinking, with the ability to lead across multiple technical areas while maintaining alignment with national health objectives and organizational strategy.

• Broad technical expertise across Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD)/Polio eradication response, with a focus on public health, disease surveillance, health systems strengthening, and health security.

• Ability to synthesize epidemiological data, surveillance findings, implementation evidence, research, and program performance information into actionable strategic recommendations.

• Demonstrated capacity to communicate complex technical information clearly and persuasively to executive audiences, policymakers, donors, and other decision-makers.

• Experience developing high-impact partnerships and coalitions.

• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and public-speaking skills, including the ability to represent the organization in high-level policy dialogues, strategic consultations, technical forums, and donor engagements. Ability to position the organization as a credible thought leader and trusted partner within India's public health ecosystem.

• Demonstrated ability to lead senior, multidisciplinary teams within a matrixed organization.

Education: **

• M.B.B.S. / higher degree in medicine with specialization in infectious/non-communicable diseases, public health.

• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience: **

• Typically requires 15+ years of senior leadership experience in public health and/or development programs.

• Demonstrated success engaging senior government stakeholders and influencing policy, strategy, or systems-level change.

• Proficient with applicable rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• Experience building strategic partnerships with government, donors, civil society, academia, and private-sector actors.

• Experience in managing large, complex and high-quality health projects, with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following technical areas: VPD/Polio and/or HIV].

• Experience in leadership in establishing and maintaining positive working relationships and partnerships with major stakeholders including governments, donor agencies, partners, and community networks in at least one of the two technical areas, preferably Polio.

• Experience in overseeing all aspects of international donor-funded projects, with a preference for USG-funding, including program and financial management, human resources, compliance, and quality assurance.

• Experience with fixed price mechanisms (e.g., fixed amount awards, fixed price contracts, etc.) is preferable

• Demonstrated strategic planning, staff development and capacity building experience under a matrixed structure.

• Proactive in managing multiple tasks, managing and working in the virtual work environment, and flexible and open to managing time for working with different teams in different time zones as needed.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, coordination and collaboration, team building and management, and problem-solving skills.

• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English, fluent in Hindi.

• Experience working in an international non-governmental organization (INGO).

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.

• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• 10% - 25%

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work and are subject to modification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. 

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities. 

The expected hiring salary range for this role is INR 5,000,000 - 8,000,000 for annual gross salary for national local hire. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay, and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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