Country: United States of America
Closing date: 16 Jan 2017
Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor III/IV: Senior Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Technical Advisor
Tuberculosis Division, Office of Infectious Diseases, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development
Location: Arlington, VA
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP-II-P6-234
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 Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Technical Advisor (Senior Advisor) will serve in the Tuberculosis Division of the Office of Infectious Diseases within the Bureau for Global Health. The Senior Advisor will provide global technical leadership to USAID in all aspects of TB with a specific emphasis on technical support to countries in the field of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) detection and treatment. S/he will assist USAID programs in developing and implementing programs and activities that focus on all aspects of TB, and provide technical assistance to countries implementing MDR TB activities under USAID-funded country programs. The Senior Advisor will participate in high level policy dialogue and provide technical assistance to USAID missions in the design, implementation, and evaluation of bilateral and regional TB programs, and technical guidance to select core-funded TB activities.
The Senior Advisor will be a member of the TB Team’s technical leadership sub-team, working closely with other sub-teams, and receive technical guidance from the technical leadership sub-Team Leader as his/her onsite manager. The Senior Advisor will work closely with other TB Technical Advisors and health staff in the GH bureau and regional bureaus. S/he will also participate in technical working groups and other task forces related to TB research.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Senior MDR TB Technical Advisor will be responsible for:
Providing technical assistance to USAID country level TB programs and national TB programs in scale-up and implementation of MDR TB activities and improving MDR TB plans in Global Funds (GF) grants
Providing senior level strategic and programming guidance, including assisting with the preparation and/or review of national strategic plans, GF grants, and activities with a focus on MDR TB.
Providing technical assistance to country partners and tuberculosis services to scale-up detection, treatment and support of MDR TB activities funded by the GF and USAID.
Providing technical advice to ensure that country programs are consistent with international standards, guidelines and recommendations for the management of MDR TB.
Providing country support through coordination of TB and MDR TB country activities with the GF and other international donors and partners.
Supporting USAID Missions in strengthening coordination and leveraging of USAID TB funds with PEPFAR resources for TB/HIV in PEPFAR focus countries as appropriate. This will be in an effort to ensure that MDR TB components are included in their country programs.
Applying medical and public health expertise to assist with the development and review of technical documents to ensure quality implementation.
Participating in joint TB program reviews organized by partners, e.g. World Health Organization (WHO) and GF grant evaluations, including the assessment of diagnostic and treatment practices for MDR TB and adherence to medical practice standards at the health facility level.
Conducting program evaluations and/or preparing scopes of work for independent evaluations.
Providing advice to country missions regarding opportunities and approaches to leveraging other sources of funds such as the Global Fund for MDR TB.
Participating as a USAID technical advisor in regional meetings, workshops and task forces.
Providing technical support to the GH/ID/TB program
Providing technical advice to select GH/ID/TB core-funded TB activities (in collaboration with project specific Cognizant Technical Officer, Contracts/Agreements Officers Representatives and technical advisors) focusing on accelerating uptake of innovative approaches and practices related to MDR TB in USAID supported programs.
Participating in MDR TB-focused working groups and task forces convened by the STOP TB Partnership, WHO and/or other TB partners.
Reviewing and synthesizing information about USAID programs, introducing new tools related to MDR TB, and using this information to recommend adjustments in program direction as needed.
Assessing current medical and public health literature, clinical and international guidelines and providing recommendations to USAID regarding the application of this information to USAID’s technical and strategic approaches.
Contributing to the routine work of the TB Team, including preparation of portfolio reviews and reports; reviews of mission/bureau documents such as annual reports and operational plans; and preparation of responses to Questions and Answers and other requests for information.
LEVEL IV
An Advisor at the level IV will be further responsible for:
- Preparing and submitting occasional job-related papers to professional journals and meetings.
- Participating in the identification of potential technical partners and implementation mechanisms to implement programs and resolve bottlenecks in GF grant MDR TB activities.
- Preparing and presenting technical presentations at regional USAID health officers meetings and workshops as appropriate.
- Providing technical updates or briefings to other USAID TB Team members on novel approaches in detection and treatment of MDR TB, ensuring that the knowledge of the TB Team is kept up-to-date in this subject matter.
International and domestic travel approximately 30%.
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (7%)
- Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments and tools in the field of MDR TB.
- Deepening knowledge of international standards, guidelines and recommendations for the management of MDR TB.
- 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 or a related social science field.
- Experience and/or deep understanding of programs based on the World Health Organization-recommended End TB Strategy.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with key international TB initiatives and organizations.
- Familiarity with current and up-to-date tools related to MDR TB.
- 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.
In addition to the above, the position requires the following at each level:
TECHNICAL ADVISOR III
- Minimum ten (10) years’ experience in public health programming, with at least three (3-5) years’ experience providing short or long term technical assistance in TB control in an international or resource challenged setting.
TECHNICAL ADVISOR IV
- Minimum fifteen (15) years’ experience in public health programming, with at least five (5) years’ experience providing short or long term technical assistance in TB control in an international or resource challenged setting.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary 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-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 January 16th, 2017 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer. G