United States of America: Senior Tuberculosis Communications Advisor

Global Health Fellows Program

Technical Advisor III: Senior Tuberculosis Communications Advisor

Infectious Diseases Division, Office of Health, Infectious Diseases and Nutrition, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Location: Arlington, VA

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP-II-P5-206

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 work 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:

USAID is in the forefront of global tuberculosis (TB) leadership and support to high burden TB countries. USAID works with the World Health Organization, Stop TB Partnership and other international TB and TB/HIV partners to support policy development and implementation at the global, regional and country levels. USAID is working with 23 countries with bilateral funds to improve TB services and supporting almost 30 more through targeted technical assistance to support Global Fund grants. These efforts provide lifesaving treatment to cure them from TB, prevent the further transmission of TB, and reduce the potential of drug resistant TB in the future.

INTRODUCTION:

The Senior Tuberculosis (TB) Communications Advisor (Senior Advisor) will serve within the TB Team of USAID’s Bureau for Global Health (GH), Office of Health, Infectious Diseases, and Nutrition (HIDN), Infectious Diseases (ID) Division (GH/HIDN/ID). The Senior Advisor will provide global technical leadership to USAID in all aspects of communications. S/he will provide communication strategies on the USAID-funded TB program activities and accomplishments for a wide audience. Attention will be focused on producing media and policy materials including a report to Congress, designing high level events and activities (e.g. World TB Day), overseeing contracts for TB social media and website content, and other communication related activities. The Senior Advisor will participate in high level strategic discussions on TB to ensure materials and information are relevant and effective. The Senior Advisor will work with the TB Team to strategically plan for new ways to better communicate their efforts.

The Senior TB Communications Advisor will work closely with and receive technical guidance from the ID Division Chief as his/her onsite manager, as well as work closely with each of the team members. The Senior Advisor will also participate in technical working groups and other task forces related to TB communication and country level advocacy, as appropriate.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior TB Communications Advisor will be responsible for:

1.Providing communication support to the GH/HIDN/ID TB program (63%):

· Overseeing the TB strategic communications plans, including annual strategies that support the programmatic and technical objectives of the TB Team.

· Overseeing communications activities that amplify TB program and key technical successes, including spearheading major announcements and deliverables around key observance days, conferences, meetings, and other events and forums.

· Overseeing the development of external messages to inform talking points, speech/remarks, op-ed, blogs, press releases, fact sheets and Q&A's.

· Participating in the development and distribution of online and print content including website information management, social media, and newsletters.

· Coordinating responses to internal and external information requests including briefers, scheduling requests, action memos and communications to the field.

· Coordinating with partners and other U.S. Government (USG) agencies on key strategies and messages to ensure consistency and accuracy.

· Participating in key global leadership groups on TB communication related strategies including branding and other activities.

· Identifying, tracking and summarizing proposed legislative actions having a direct impact on USAID TB activities.

2.Providing technical assistance and leadership to USAID country level TB programs and partners including the host government (30%):

· Providing country Missions with key strategies and messages to appropriately communicate about their TB program.

· Providing senior level strategic and programming guidance on TB field level communication efforts.

· Supporting USAID missions to strengthen the coordination and leveraging of USAID TB communication efforts with other USG agencies, donors and partners.

· Supporting TB government programs with their communication capacity, as requested.

· Participating as a USAID technical communication advisor in regional and country meetings, workshops and task forces.

International and domestic travel approximately 15%.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (7%)

· Keeping abreast of literature, reports, international guidelines and standards, as well as latest developments in the fields of tuberculosis programming.

· Preparing and submitting job-related papers to professional journals and meetings.

· Deepening knowledge of tuberculosis communications strategies.

· Participating in interagency and intra-agency working groups as appropriate to the scope of work.

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

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or higher in public health, communications or a related discipline.
• Minimum ten (10) years’ experience in health communication, policy and/or advocacy, with at least three (3-5) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
• Demonstrated experience in senior-level health communications strategies, preferably in international settings or public health and infectious diseases.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with key communication tools and networks.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and in teams.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• US citizenship or US permanent residency required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

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

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system at https://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 online applications must be submitted by June 21, 2016 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.

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