Country: United States of America
Closing date: 03 Feb 2017
Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor II/III: Tuberculosis Technical Research and Innovation 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-P6-235
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 Tuberculosis Research and Innovation Advisor (Advisor) will serve in the Bureau for Global Health, Infectious Diseases Office, Tuberculosis Division. The Advisor will provide global technical advice to USAID in all aspects of TB with a specific emphasis on supporting TB related research and uptake of proven innovative tools and approaches for TB control in TB USAID-funded country programs. S/he will also assist with the implementation of overall TB programs and activities. The 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. S/he will also provide technical guidance to selected GH/ID/TB core funded activities.
The Advisor will be a member of TB technical leadership sub team and will work closely with the other sub teams, and take programmatic direction from the Medical Officer, who will serve as his/her onsite manager. The Advisor will also participate in technical working groups and other task forces related to TB research. S/he will work closely with other TB Technical Advisors and health staff in GH bureau and regional bureaus.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The TB Technical Research and Innovation Advisor will be responsible for:
1. Providing technical assistance to USAID country level TB programs focusing on TB research and interventions to improve uptake of proven innovative tools for TB control.
- Providing programming advice, including assisting with the preparation and/or review of strategies and program plans to address research and innovation in TB.
- Assisting USAID missions to strengthen coordination and leveraging of USAID TB funds with other funds (e.g. Global funds, PEPFAR etc.) to ensure that TB research and proven innovations in TB control are included in programs in these countries.
- Participating in joint TB program reviews organized by partners (e.g., WHO), including the assessment of diagnostic and treatment practices for Multi-drug Resistant TB and adherence to medical practice standards at the health facility level.
- Assisting with the identification of new sites and strengthening their capacity to implement research related activities.
- Conducting program evaluations and/or preparing Scopes of Work for independent evaluations.
- Preparing and presenting technical presentations at regional USAID health officers meetings and workshops as appropriate.
- Providing technical assistance related to TB research and introduction of proven new approaches and tools into TB programs.
2. Providing Technical support to the GH/ID/TB program:
- Providing technical assistance to GH/ID/TB core funded activities on research (in collaborations with project specific Cognizant Technical Officer and technical advisors)
- Contributing to medical or public health advice and participating in working groups and task forces (that focus on TB research and innovation) convened by the WHO and or other TB partners.
- Reviewing and synthesizing information about USAID TB research programs and experience, introducing new tools, and using this information to recommend adjustments in program direction as needed.
- Preparing briefers or other documents to summarize USAID’s TB research activities and progress in introducing new tools.
- Providing technical updates or briefings to other USAID TB team members on TB research and innovation in TB, ensuring that the knowledge of the TB team is kept up-to date in this subject matter.
- 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 III
A Senior Advisor at the level III will be further responsible for:
- Providing strategic and programming guidance, including assisting with the preparation and/or review of strategies and program plans to address research and innovation in TB to country level TB teams and to GH/ID/TB.
- Providing technical expertise to ensure that country and regional programs are developing and implementing research interventions consistent with current international standards and recommendations and United States Government (USG) TB Strategy.
- Applying medical or public health expertise to assist with the development and review of technical documents.
- Participating as a USAID technical advisor in regional meetings, workshops and task forces.
- Providing technical advice related to TB research and introduction of proven new approaches and tools into TB programs.
- Preparing and submitting occasional job-related papers to professional journals and meetings.
International and domestic travel approximately 30%.
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (7%)
● Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments in the fields of TB research and innovations to control TB.
● Deepening knowledge of TB research and innovative tools on the approaches to controlling 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; international public health, or a related social science field. PhD or medical degree preferred.
● Demonstrated experience in health policy dialogue, especially as it relates to TB.
● Demonstrated Experience and/or knowledge of programs based on the WHO-recommended STOP TB Strategy including Directly Observed Treatment Short-course.
● Knowledge of and familiarity with key international TB initiatives and organizations.
● Demonstrated experience in a research or clinical setting as it relates to research of innovations on TB control.
● Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
● Ability to collaborate and produce quality content under tight deadlines.
● 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 II
● Minimum five (5) years’ experience in research and innovations on TB control in clinical or public health settings, with at least two (2) years’ experience in research and providing short or long term technical assistance in a TB control in an international or resource challenged setting.
TECHNICAL ADVISOR III
● Minimum ten (10) years’ experience in research and innovations on TB control in clinical or public health settings, with at least three to five (3-5) years’ experience in research and providing short or long term technical assistance in a 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:
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 February 3, 2017 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.
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