Program Manager - Armed Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS)

HJF is seeking a ProgramManager for the Armed Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), located in Bangkok, Thailand.  HJF provides scientific, technical, and programmatic support services.

The incumbent provides administrative project oversight to maximize the effective use of project resources. Oversees budget and accounting, space management, personnel management, overall management, contracts, and purchasing areas. Works on complex problems and identifies and evaluates solutions.  Location: Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) in Bangkok, Thailand. 

For 50 years, Armed Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) has been a benchmark of success in tropical infectious disease research and development. Founded as the SEATO laboratory to help combat a cholera outbreak it was renamed AFRIMS in 1977. It has acquired new disease research missions and has refocused many times to meet new challenges. AFRIMS now has programs in Enteric Diseases, malaria vaccine and drug research, viral diseases especially dengue fever and hepatitis, an Entomology department dedicated study of disease vectors and the Retrovirology department which has been organized to execute vaccine studies for the HIV-AIDS virus. A recently initiated program to monitor new, emerging disease threats as a part of a Global Emerging Diseases Surveillance system is now underway.

AFRIMS has many unique features – strengths responsible for its continued success. It has a dual Royal Thai Army and US Army Command with the American Component being a special foreign activity of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington DC. AFRIMS biggest asset, the over 300 members of the combined staff, are a highly integrated group of US and Thai military and civilians from both countries. The US Component Commander is on the US Ambassador’s Country Team for Thailand and provides advice to the country team on biomedical issues. AFRIMS Link

Position is contingent upon award. Please refer to the end of the posting for additional information.

Responsibilities:

1. The PM will be responsible for formulating and enforcing performance standards, assigning contractor schedules, reviewing performance quality, communicating policies, purposes, and goals to subordinates.  

2. Closely engages and coordinates with Global HR to direct, coordinate, and conducts Human Resources (HR) actions within the Department and to furnish guidance and assistance to other staff on HR policies and procedures, as needed.  Provides advice in collaboration with Global HR on manpower utilization, workflow, and operational procedures to increase efficiency, productivity, and make overall improvements for the program. 

3. Provides site senior level administrative, logistical, budget and resource management.  Establishes and maintains an effective management reporting system to ensure that program and site goals are being met. Ensures scientific and management practices and assurances are functioning properly and that periodic and special reports are provided to the appropriate U.S. Government or HJF personnel. 

4. Implements and ensures compliance with HJF, AFRIMS, and Department of Defense policies and procedures for site operations and management within the Department of Entomology. Coordinates and manages resolution of procedural issues when HJF policies and procedures, conflict with those of the AFRIMS and/or collaborating Host nation institutions.  As required, coordinates with Host nation representatives, AFRIMS command and the U.S. Embassy to ensure that site operations are performed in a responsible and legal manner.

5. Participates in the development and execution of the Department of Entomology, AFRIMS program management plans, practices, and assurances as they pertain to the research site.  Performs management studies and evaluations including but not limited to operational reviews and analyses; policy reviews and analyses; special project/program planning, design, and implementation.

6. The Program Manager shall serve as the single point-of-contact for addressing contract issues, quality issues, and overall Contractor performance. This may include coordination with the Contracting Officer, Contract Specialist, and the Contracting Officer Representative to resolve any issues that may arise relating to the HJF award. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  Extensive experience utilizing managerial and leadership skills.  Proven experience utilizing analytic abilities.  Experience utilizing accounting and budget development skills and expertise.  Excellent communication (verbal and written).  Working knowledge of computer software technology required for performance of duties, i.e. MS Office suite and MS Project, QuickBooks, and other financial tools. Knowledge of organizational objectives, the federal budget process, office automation; ability to work completely independently, use sound judgement in solving problems, and coordinate many complex systems and programs simultaneously. Knowledge of project management principles, and good communications, customer/client relationship skills and people management experience.

Minimum Education:  Bachelor’s degree required, Masters preferred.

Minimum Experience/ Training Requirements:  Prior work with and/or for international organizations in East/South East Asia.  Experience in project management with regard to financial or technical fields.  Experience working with foreign governments in the development and execution of projects.  Familiarity with US government contracting, the FAR, and relevant OMB circulars.  Should possess an understanding of research (operational or biomedical).

• Level I:   Minimum 3-5 years of relevant work experience required.
• Level II:  Minimum 6-8 years of relevant work experience required.
• Level III: Minimum 9-10 years of relevant work experience required.
• Level IV: More than 10 years of relevant work experience required.

Physical Capabilities:  Ability to read and interpret information presented in various forms of media, ability to communicate verbally (including telephonically); ability to write and prepare documents in a variety of forms, ability to move within the work site and to other work sites as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls:  The incumbent may supervise logistical and administrative support personnel.

Work Environment:  General office and military hospital clinic setting at the USAMC-AFRIMS/Foundation site in Bangkok, Thailand.  Travel to host nation hospitals/clinics will be required.  Periodic trips, possibly 1-2 a year, to the HJF HQ in the United States and Military HIV Research Program office. Work location is primarily in an office setting; however, travel to locations with austere conditions may be required.

Background/Security: Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Tier I investigation/Public Trust. May need to receive/maintain a Tier 3 Security Clearance.

Possible Locations: Thailand, Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan, Japan, Micronesia, Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, Australia, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, Tonga, New Caledonia, Timor-Leste, Malaysia.

***** Position is contingent upon award.

HJF’s human resources staff will communicate with you only from an HJF.org email address or via our applicant tracking system. HJF representatives will not request payment for any HJF employment application related activity. If you wish to confirm the validity of any communication you may have received, please contact [email protected]

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, addresses, education, and credentials, a criminal background check, drug screening, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check. 

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.