Technical Advisor III: Senior Health Advisor

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual working planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.

BACKGROUND:

The Office of Sustainable Development (SD) in the Bureau for Africa (AFR) provides: strategic guidance and intellectual leadership to AFR; conducts economic, social and political analyses critical to the development of AFR policies, strategies, budgets and activities; manages and/or coordinates three Presidential and two Agency Initiatives; and provides technical services to AFR's field missions. In carrying out these functions, SD serves as the Bureau's principal liaison with African and international partners, US Government (USG) sister agencies, the private sector, universities, and the Private Voluntary Organization (PVO)/Non-governmental Organization (NGO) community.

AFR/SD's Health Division has an annual budget of approximately $15 million, which includes the management of activities that support African capacity development and improving the quality, availability and access to health services for Africa's most vulnerable populations. The Division works across all health sectors, including maternal and child health (MCH), reproductive health, health systems strengthening (HSS), and infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. The Health Division works in close collaboration with other USAID Pillar Bureaus, including the Bureau for Global Health (GH) and the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, in activities such as coordinating strategic and technical support to USAID missions, program reviews and assessments, and staff development. It also works closely with African and donor partners such as the World Health Organization's Africa Regional Office, the World Bank and UNICEF.

One of the presidential initiatives that AFR is tasked with managing is the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). PMI was launched in June 2005 as a 5-year, $1.2 billion initiative to: a) rapidly scale up malaria prevention and treatment interventions and; b) reduce malaria related mortality by 50% in 15 high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa. With passage of the 2008 Lantos-Hyde Act, funding for PMI was extended and, as part of the GHI, the goal of PMI was adjusted to reduce malaria related mortality by 70% in the original 15 countries by the end of 2015.

INTRODUCTION:

The Senior Health Advisor (Senior Advisor) will be based in the Health Division of AFR/SD and will serve as a principal member of the core team supporting PMI in USAID and the PMI inter-agency working group. S/he will also provide strategic guidance to the AFR, missions and PMI staff assigned to AFR. The Senior Advisor will also provide technical oversight and strategic guidance to the malaria and MCH portfolio in AFR, including managing relevant activities and helping to integrate child survival, malaria and other infectious disease programs.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary responsibilities of the Senior Health Advisor include:

1. In coordination with the other AFR Health Team members, serving as a PMI Health Team liaison with GH and other USG counterparts:

· Collaborating closely with colleagues from the GH and other USG agencies on malaria issues fundamentally important to the African context, including participating in strategic policy meetings.

· Assessing country-specific malaria data, activities and plans, and collaborating with the Ministry of Health and other partner organizations to design national strategies that reach a high percentage of the most vulnerable populations with effective and comprehensive interventions ensuring rapid implementation of large scale interventions in PMI designated countries.

· Monitoring program initiatives throughout the region, their relationship to sectoral development constraints, and advising field missions and USAID/Washington on courses of action.

· Participating and supporting country and regional project/program assessments and evaluations, including Malaria Operational Planning visits.

· Directing field missions and grantee organizations in the application of Bureau priorities and strategies and providing them with assistance, guidance, and literature.

· Consulting with internal and external organizations on “best-practices” within malaria and MCH interventions and participating in the development of strategies, plans, and program guidance.

1. Serving as a technical point of contact for malaria and MCH in the Africa Bureau:

· In conjunction with other AFR Health Team members, including two Malaria Advisors and two MCH Advisors, providing technical oversight and strategic guidance to the malaria and MCH portfolio in the Africa Bureau.

· Maintaining current knowledge of policy, frameworks, research and news on malaria and MCH in Africa.

· Reviewing and analyzing regional and country data, in collaboration with various analytic units and developing strategies for translating data into actionable interventions.

· Participating in consultations and working groups with colleagues from across USAID and the USG on new malaria and MCH activities, requests and initiatives that impact USAID missions in Africa.

· Engaging with technical and senior staff within USAID, including Mission Directors, Health and Human Services, other agencies in the USG, WHO, UNICEF, World Bank and other UN agencies and bilateral organizations.

· Representing AFR interests to senior level and other host government officials and working closely with African regional and sub-regional organizations to promote African leadership, capacity building and improved coordination in Africa.

· Participating in relevant international meetings and conferences.

1. Assisting in strategic planning, communication and reporting within AFR/SD:

· Contributing to malaria and MCH-related planning and reporting requirements.

· Developing briefers and/or other communication materials to describe activities and results of USAID’s malaria and MCH programs related to HSS, gender equality and community based interventions.

· Assisting in the development and presentation of African mission portfolio reviews for senior management.

· Assisting in formulating responses to congressional inquiries or requests.

· Providing other support to the AFR Health Team as needed.

1. Providing support to USAID’s missions in Africa and strengthening and maintaining the country support system:

· Serving as AFR Team Lead on GH Country Teams for a sub-set of African countries.

· Along with the AFR’s regional offices, serving as a resource person for the health programs of assigned countries within AFR.

· Assisting USAID Missions through the provision of technical and policy guidance, consulting on and reviewing strategies, program designs, operational plans, and reporting documents related to AFR priorities, including malaria and MCH health technical issues.

International travel approximately 25%.

Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming needs and/or (b) the Advisor’s own interests.

Training and Professional Development:

· Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments in malaria and MCH programming.

· Deepening knowledge of malaria and MCH interventions, policies and programming.

· Participating in interagency and intra-agency working groups as appropriate to SOW.

· Participating in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

· Master's degree in Public Health, health sciences or related discipline.

· Minimum ten (10) years’ experience in design, implementation and evaluation of international health, especially malaria and MCH programs, with at least 3-5 years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.

· Experience in conducting analysis and evaluation of technical and programmatic aspects of proposals and programs.

· Field-based experience, especially in the context of working with communities.

· Broad knowledge of African countries and specific knowledge of their relationship to US policy guidelines, including perspective on their historical relationship in the health sciences with the United States.

· Understanding of programs and organizational aspects of major international donors, multilateral agencies, and NGOs/PVOs supporting the social sector, with a focus that includes malaria or other infectious diseases.

· Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including cross-cultural teams.

· Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment to problem solve, and to make strategic decisions.

· Experience with USAID programming, budgeting, and evaluation functions and procedures, both in USAID/Washington and in USAID Missions, is preferred.

· Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills.

· Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

· Ability to speak French and/or Portuguese preferred.

· US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary will be based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.

How to apply:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP’s online recruitment system athttps://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application.All applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on May 16, 2014.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer.