Director, Technical - GUARD

International Medical Corps; Kansas; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

International Medical Corps seeks a Technical Director to provide strategic technical leadership for a global health project focused on infectious disease readiness, surveillance, IPC, and HCID preparedness. You will work with senior leaders, consortium partners, and country teams to ensure alignment with donor priorities and best practices.

Responsibilities include shaping technical strategy, guiding design and implementation, and delivering rigorous quality assurance across outputs.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Epidemiology, Infectious Disease, Health Systems, or related field; MD/PhD desirable.
• 12+ years in global health program management; 7–8 years in senior technical leadership; experience with multi-country programs.
• Deep knowledge of epidemiology, surveillance, IPC, HCID readiness, IHR, WHO guidelines, and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical direction across all project activities, ensuring coherence and impact.
• Oversee design, planning, and execution of technical components including surveillance, IPC, HCID readiness, screening and triage.
• Develop and disseminate technical tools, SOPs, guidelines, and training materials.
• Coordinate with consortium partners, government counterparts, and civil society for integrated contributions.
• Lead adaptive management with QA, M&E frameworks, and learning culture.
• Build technical capacity through training, mentorship, and coaching.
• Represent the project in technical forums and engage partners to leverage expertise.
• Promote research, innovation, and knowledge management to inform practice.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Global health

Project oversight

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & compliance

Education

Master’s in Public Health

PhD desirable

Tools

Excel

Power BI

SPSS

Job description

Important Notice: International Medical Corps does not ask for financial details, money transfers or payments of any kind from applicants to be considered for or secure a job. For more information, visit https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/fraud-alert/

The project is a comprehensive global health initiative designed to strengthen infectious disease preparedness, surveillance, and response capacities. It focuses on enhancing alert-to-action and containment mechanisms, infection prevention and control (IPC), high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) readiness, screening and triage, safe isolation, and referral pathways, within the 7-1-7 framework and the 24–72-hour alert-to-action window. The project operates through a consortium of global and country-based partners, implementing interventions in complex operational and security environments. The initiative is donor-funded and requires close coordination with stakeholders at global, national, and sub-national levels.

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Technical Director will provide strategic technical leadership and oversight for the project, ensuring the quality, coherence and effectiveness of program design, implementation, and technical assistance across all project objectives. As a member of the senior leadership team and classified as Key Personnel, the Technical Director will work in close collaboration with the Chief of Party, consortium partners, headquarters staff, and country missions to ensure alignment with donor priorities, global best practices, and adaptive management principles. This position reflects direct costs incurred by headquarters staff and requires both strategic vision and hands‑on technical expertise in global health, infectious disease control, and health systems readiness.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Technical Leadership

Provide overarching strategic technical direction for all project activities, ensuring coherence, innovation, and impact across program objectives. Lead the refinement of the project's technical strategy, theory of change, and results framework. Ensure that technical approaches are evidence‐based, context‐appropriate, and aligned with the latest global health standards and guidelines, including those from CDC, and other relevant authorities.

Program Design and Implementation Oversight

Oversee the design, planning, and execution of all technical components of the project, including infectious disease surveillance, IPC, HCID readiness, screening and triage, safe isolation, and referral pathways. Ensure that program design is responsive to country contexts, operational realities, and security constraints. Monitor implementation progress from International Medical Corps (IMC) and consortium partners against workplans, identify bottlenecks, and propose corrective actions to ensure timely delivery of outputs and achievement of targets.

Technical Assistance and Guidance

Provide high‑quality technical guidance to project staff, consortium partners, government counterparts, and other stakeholders. Develop and disseminate technical tools, standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines, and training materials. Support the Epidemiologist/ID and IPC Specialist and other technical staff in delivering targeted technical support to strengthen core alert‑to‑action and containment capacities at country and sub‑national levels.

Consortium Coordination and Partnership Management

Support coordination across all consortium partners, fostering a collaborative, transparent, and results‑oriented working environment. Facilitate regular technical meetings, working groups, and learning exchanges among partners. Ensure that each partner's technical contributions are well‑integrated, complementary, and aligned with the overall project vision. Build and maintain strong relationships with consortium members, government agencies, and civil society organizations.

Adaptive Management and Technical Quality Assurance

Contribute to adaptive management processes by continuously monitoring the evolving epidemiological, operational, and security landscape. Lead technical quality assurance efforts, including the development and application of quality checklists, performance metrics, and work with M/E teams on updated M/E frameworks. Promote a culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement within the project team and across partners. Ensure that lessons learned and best practices are documented and disseminated.

Capacity Building and Workforce Development

Lead efforts to build the technical capacity of project staff, partners, and national counterparts. Design and oversee training programs, mentorship schemes, and on‑the‑job coaching initiatives. Ensure that capacity‑building activities are tailored to the needs of diverse audiences, especially frontline health workers and subnational/national staff. Support the development of sustainable, locally owned technical expertise that extends beyond the project lifecycle.

Representation and External Engagement

Represent the project and organization in relevant technical forums, working groups, conferences, and coordination mechanisms at global, regional, and national levels. Engage with multilateral agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners to leverage additional expertise, resources, and innovations. Serve as a thought leader and represent evidence‑based approaches to infectious disease preparedness and response.

Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Management

Promote and support operational research, innovation, and knowledge management activities within the project. Identify opportunities for research partnerships, pilot initiatives, and the introduction of new technologies or methodologies. Ensure that project‑generated knowledge is captured, analyzed, and shared through publications, conferences, and digital platforms to contribute to the global evidence base.

Risk Management and Security

In collaboration with the Chief of Party and security focal points, ensure that technical activities are planned and implemented with due consideration for operational and security risks. Develop contingency plans for technical aspects of the project in volatile or insecure environments. Ensure that staff and partners are equipped with the necessary skills and protocols to operate safely in complex settings.

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily comprehensive.

Job Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A Master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Epidemiology, Infectious Disease, Health Systems, International Development, or a closely related field. A medical degree (MD) or doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH) is highly desirable.
• Experience: A minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in global health program management, with at least 7 to 8 years in a senior technical leadership role. Proven track record in infectious disease surveillance, outbreak and response, IPC, and HCID readiness. Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi‑country health projects funded by major donors (e.g., U.S. Government, Global Fund, World Bank, bilateral agencies).
• Technical Expertise: Deep technical knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance systems, infection prevention and control protocols, containment and mitigation, screening and triage methodologies, safe isolation practices, and referral pathways. Familiarity with International Health Regulations (IHR), WHO guidelines, and global health security frameworks. Experience with alert‑to‑action systems and rapid response mechanisms is essential.
• Leadership and Management: Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary, multicultural teams in complex operational and security environments. Strong skills in strategic planning, adaptive management, and quality assurance. Proven ability to mentor, coach, and develop technical staff and partners.
• Partnership and Coordination: Extensive experience working with consortium partners, government ministries, international agencies, and civil society organizations. Strong diplomatic and negotiation skills. Ability to build consensus, manage conflicts, and foster productive collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Ability to produce high‑quality technical reports, briefs, and presentations for diverse audiences. Proficiency in additional languages (e.g., French, Spanish, Arabic) is an asset.
• Analytical and Problem‑Solving Skills: Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex technical information, identify trends, and develop practical solutions. Experience with data‑driven decision‑making, M/E frameworks, and performance measurement.
• Operational and Security Awareness: Experience working in fragile, conflict‑affected, or otherwise challenging operational environments. Understanding of security protocols and risk management strategies for health programming in insecure settings.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with data management and visualization tools. Experience with project management software and digital health platforms is an advantage.
• Strategic Thinking and Vision: Ability to articulate a compelling technical vision and translate it into actionable plans.
• Results Orientation: Commitment to achieving measurable outcomes and holding self and others accountable for results.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively across boundaries, build trust, and leverage collective expertise.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Capacity to navigate ambiguity, respond to changing circumstances, and maintain effectiveness under pressure.
• Integrity and Ethics: Unwavering commitment to ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of work.
• Innovation and Learning: Openness to new ideas, willingness to experiment, and dedication to continuous professional and organizational learning.

Additional Technical or Language Requirements

Ethical Conduct at International Medical Corps

As part of a global, humanitarian team dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering, and building self‑reliance, International Medical Corps staff are responsible for adhering to our Code of Conduct and Ethics and for knowing and abiding by International Medical Corps policies and standards. All staff play a vital role in preventing violations of our Code of Conduct and Ethics, including conflicts of interest, fraud, corruption, and any kind of exploitation or abuse. International Medical Corps is also committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment free of harassment, bullying, and other misconduct, enabling staff to build and maintain professional, respectful working relationships.

International Medical Corps prioritizes safeguarding the populations with whom we work from exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children and adults at risk, and/or any form of trafficking in persons. International Medical Corps is committed to engaging members of crisis‑affected communities to participate in meaningful ways in a crisis response, including making informed decisions about the assistance they receive, mitigating potential risks, and holding us accountable for the commitments we make. All staff are expected to support International Medical Corps’ culture of accountability toward our stakeholders, particularly the crisis‑affected communities and individuals we serve.

As part of International Medical Corps’ commitment to a speak‑up culture and as one of the primary ways we collectively hold ourselves accountable for complying with the ethical principles and standards of conduct outlined in the Code of Conduct and Ethics, all staff are required to report suspected or actual misconduct or violations of organizational policies. Our Code of Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy prohibit any form of retaliation against whistleblowers or individuals who report a concern in good faith. Staff who violate these protections may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or contractual relationship with International Medical Corps.

International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

Misconduct Disclosure Scheme

All offers of employment at International Medical Corps are subject to satisfactory references and background checks. International Medical Corps participates in the Inter‑Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme from the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR). In accordance with this, we will request information from an applicant’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.