Portfolio Director

JOB SUMMARY:      

The Portfolio Director (PD-HQ) is the representative and champion of the project at the MSH Global Office. The Portfolio Director brings a strategic view, application of best practices in project management, and client relationship skills throughout the project cycle. With the Project Director/Chief of Party, the PD-HQ leads assigned projects to ensure that the project team achieves stated objectives within budget and in compliance with contractual regulations and MSH policies. In partnership with the PD and Technical Strategy Partner (TSP) the PD-HQ ensures technical excellence in line with MSH’s standards, values, and mission. The PD-HQ reinforces a culture of data analysis and data use for decision-making. The Portfolio Director supervises and supports the Project Director. The PD-HQ focuses strategically on new business development initiatives primarily within his/her countries and liaises with corporate business development and strategy leadership.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversight of Project Delivery (45%)

• Provides strategic leadership and management support to the Project Director to deliver high-quality results within budget and in accordance with MSH’s Standards of Implementation Excellence.
• Remains informed and knowledgeable of the project environment, the network of stakeholders, constituents, and counterparts, and supports the Project Director in the management of these relationships.
• Facilitates internal coordination and linkages required to achieve technical and administrative management objectives.
• Establishes regular communication and relationships with clients to ensure MSH responsiveness to donor needs and requests.
• Provide guidance and support to the Project Director as s/he partners with client and donor for preparation and execution of external evaluations and audits. 
• Ensures that project start-ups and closeouts are planned and executed efficiently, timely, and effectively.
• Prioritizes data analysis and use of data for decision-making and adaptive project management. Guides the Project Director to lead a collaborative approach to develop, review, and monitor the annual work plan, budget, Performance Monitoring Plan, progress reports, Environmental Mitigation Plan, strategic communications plan, MSH Project Reviews, short term technical assistance plan, risk management plan and ad hoc reports.
• Ensures Project Director delivers timely and high-quality technical, financial, contractual, and other deliverables and sub-award monitoring and mitigation plans are developed and implemented. Provides guidance and oversight to Project Director for contractual compliance.
• Provides strategic support to the Project Director to develop cost-share plans and monitor cost-share contributions as part of routine project financial performance monitoring.
• Works closely with the Project Director to periodically review project staffing levels, internal relationships, and staff performance, advise on sensitive personnel issues and engage HR as warranted.
• Promotes the effective use of shared services among projects in the country and from corporate services to ensure operational efficiencies by actively engaging the Project Directors in finding solutions to challenges with shared and corporate services aspects of project success.
• Supports the Project Director to develop a comprehensive project risk management plan to ensure a strong control environment and that project risks are identified, assessed, prioritized, mitigated, and monitored.
• Works with the Project Director in the preparation and execution of internal audits and ensures timely resolution of issues identified.
• Provides guidance and support to the Project Director as s/he partners with client and donor for preparation and execution of external evaluations and audits.
• Oversees and ensures that compliant management and operations systems are in place to effectively support the project’s technical activities and safeguard MSH.
• Ensures the Project Director and the full project team are aware of and comply with all donor regulations, local laws, MSH policies, procedures, and personnel standards (technical, contractual, financial, business ethics, etc.).
• Conducts project management support and Project Director supervision visits, as needed, to observe and review project performance, systems, culture, and work environment.
• With the Project Director, routinely analyze the project’s financial performance and ensure the project burn rate is appropriate.  

Management of Project Director Performance (25%)

• Works with Project Director to develop clear Performance Objectives a