United States of America: Zika Technical Advisor

Global Health Fellows Program

Technical Advisor II: Zika Technical Advisor

Front Office, 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-P5-210

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:

The Office of Health, Infectious Diseases, and Nutrition (HIDN) in USAID’s Bureau for Global Health covers seven broad public health areas: Tuberculosis, Malaria, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition, Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Emerging Pandemic Infections. Within each of these areas, specialists work in providing technical assistance and managing programs in countries, developing and scaling up innovations in public health, and exercising global leadership in their fields in national and international fora.

The Global Health Bureau has reprogrammed funding to respond to the Zika threat. Additional funding may be forthcoming from supplemental appropriations. USAID will work in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other US Government (USG) Agencies to increase awareness of how the Zika virus is transmitted and how to prevent infection, stop the spread of the virus, and support affected individuals. Our response is tailored based on current and anticipated levels of infection and anticipated needs on the ground. Efforts will include: (a) vector control, providing training, provision of commodities, and logistical strengthening; (b) behavior change communication by strengthening campaigns that communicate how Zika is transmitted and effective prevention measures; (c) support for MCH and Family Planning (FP) interventions, which will include improving providers’ ability to diagnose and counsel for Zika and provide prenatal care; (d) ongoing monitoring of the virus, research on the Zika virus and effective response methods, and development of surveillance tools.

INTRODUCTION:

The Zika Technical Advisor (Advisor) will work as part of the Zika Team located in the Front Office of HIDN (or the Front Office of the Infectious Diseases Office, pending an imminent split of HIDN into two separate offices) and will assist in managing HIDN’s programs and projects related to the Zika response. The Advisor will provide technical assistance to the Global Health Bureau and USAID Missions on Zika and field implementation, and will receive technical guidance from the Zika Team Lead as his/her onsite manager.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Zika Technical Advisor will be responsible for:

1.Technical Leadership and Project Management Support:

• Providing technical backstop support on issues related to the Global Health Bureau’s Zika projects.
• Participating on design teams for new projects or activities and providing technical guidance on program implementation and evaluation.
• Advising on program development and reviewing partner work plans and products.
• Program monitoring for compliance with statutory and legislative policies and Agency-specific guidance related to Zika response efforts.
• Keeping track of the projects’ technical and financial performance.
• Traveling to the field to monitor activities of centrally-managed projects as needed.

• Providing USAID country health teams and implementing partners with informed technical input and ongoing technical support to ensure best practices.

  2. Documentation and Reporting:

• Preparing responses to queries and reports (e.g., reports to Congress).

• Keeping abreast of new developments and emerging issues related to Zika that affect USAID’s technical priorities by attending technical meetings and workshops, and participating in relevant training events.

• Formulating recommendations for the Zika Team’s responses to these developments and sharing with colleagues, bureau leadership, and missions.
  3. Providing Assistance to Missions:

• Supporting USAID Missions in developing and evaluating initiatives that build in-country capacity to address Zika response issues, including the ability to carry out longer-term integrated strategies and supporting other Zika activities.

• Facilitating the sharing of materials and best practices across USG programs in different countries.

International and domestic travel approximately 15-20%.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (7%)

• Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments in relation to the Zika virus, including its prevention, transmission, effects and control measures.
• Deepening knowledge of public health programming, policy, or research related to the Zika virus.
• 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 entomology, public health, international health, or a related social science field.
• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in public health programming, policy, or research, with at least two (2) years’ experience in an international or resource-challenged setting, preferably Latin America.
• Substantial experience in one of the following areas: Vector Control (highly desired). Additional experience in Social Behavior Change or Maternal and Child Health or Family Planning highly desired.
• Experience designing, planning, implementing and evaluating projects preferred.
• Familiarity with USAID programming, evaluation functions and procedures, both in USAID/Washington and in USAID missions, highly desired.
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including cross-cultural teams.
• Spanish language skills highly preferred.
• 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 23, 2016 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.

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