Country: United States of America
Closing date: 09 Mar 2017
Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor III/IV: Senior Research and Knowledge Management Advisor
Research and Policy Division, Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development
Location: Arlington, VA
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP-II-P6-242
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 Bureau for Global Health’s Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (GH/MCHN) serves as USAID’s technical and policy lead on maternal and newborn health, child survival, immunization, nutrition and environmental health, with a focus on ending preventable child and maternal deaths. Cross-cutting activities managed by the Office in support of this goal address private sector partnerships, social and behavior change communication, multilateral partnerships, gender, and monitoring and evaluation. The Office comprises the following functional divisions: Maternal and Newborn Health Division; Child Health and Immunization Division; Nutrition and Environmental Health Division; and Research and Policy Division.
INTRODUCTION:
The Senior Knowledge Management Advisor (Senior Advisor) will work within MCHN’s Research and Policy Division (RP), which is responsible for providing technical leadership, guidance, and coordination to advance the integrated use of policy, data, research and development to accelerate the uptake, scale and sustained and effective use of maternal, newborn, child, and environmental health and nutrition programming. The Division brings together a multidisciplinary team of implementation research, technology development, policy, and monitoring and evaluation experts who manage a portfolio of activities. Staff in this Division also works in conjunction with other USAID staff in Washington and the field, as well as with other partners, employing analytical and policy tools to reduce mortality, severe morbidity, and advance sustained development.
The Senior Advisor will serve as an agency-wide technical resource supporting the goals of Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths (EPCMD) and an AIDS-Free Generation, and contributing to other activities such as the President’s Malaria Initiative. The Senior Advisor will work closely with and receive technical guidance from the Senior Implementation Research Advisor or designee as his/her onsite manager.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The SeniorKnowledge Management Advisor will be responsible for:
Centralized Project Management Activities (45%)
● Leading and supporting public health activities focused on research, research introduction/utilization, and knowledge management to advance state-of-the-art activities that lead to public health impact for one or more agreements/contracts.
● Evaluating and helping to coordinate centrally administered programs/projects in line with USAID policies and procedures. Helping to monitor program, financial, reporting, and accountability processes.
Agency-Wide Technical Resource (25%)
● Serving as a technical expert and advisor for research translation, policy, and knowledge management for maternal and child health, nutrition, and behavioral public health programs/projects, as well as the use of knowledge management and policy tools for other technical health related areas for global and agency-wide application.
● Developing and strengthening tools, and developing novel approaches to drive the creation, capture, translation, sharing and application of knowledge to a range of stakeholders.
● Advising USAID Missions, partner country governments, and other stakeholders on new developments and effective approaches, articulating the benefits of interventions to effectively reach specific target audiences, from high-level government and opinion leaders to technical audiences and community groups.
● Preparing or coordinating preparation of reports and analyses, briefings, publications, and other means of promoting wide understanding of improved knowledge methods and public health practice.
● Serving as a technical expert for one or more priority technical areas under the health research program.
● Participating in research development, design and implementation efforts; adaptation and uptake of research findings, and the development and introduction of new/existing products into field programs aimed at accelerating the introduction and scaled use of interventions with public health impact in support of the goals of Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths (EPCMD) and an AIDS-Free Generation, as well as contributing to other activities such as the President’s Malaria Initiative.
Program/Project Development (23%)
● Undertaking analyses of programmatic gaps and opportunities, applying knowledge management principles, and developing strategies as part of a coordinated portfolio of, as appropriate, applied research and technology development, health services research/implementation research, and research introduction/utilization activities contributing to the introduction and ultimate at scale use of interventions with public health impact.
● Leading the development and implementation of a strategy for synthesizing and disseminating key results, programmatic lessons learned, methodologies developed and other research outputs of the health research program.
● Coordinating knowledge capturing, sharing and strategic learning to accelerate the research-to-use process, and ensuring the alignment of knowledge management activities with USAID program cycle goals. Building capacity for learning and knowledge-sharing through effective approaches relevant to the achievement of Global Health priorities.
● Tracking and applying best practices in research translation, policy, and knowledge management, and working with activity leaders to incorporate new or improved learning tools. Analyzing and keeping abreast of reports, relevant press articles and other documentation that relates to selected maternal, child, and nutrition and other health activities. Working with country partners and global stakeholders as needed.
LEVEL IV
An Advisor at the level IV will be further responsible for:
● Participating in technical negotiations and advising management on key issues/constraints to program/project development.
● Assuming a leadership role in identifying critical knowledge gaps and needs related to project management and strategic directions.
● Attending conferences and meetings, for the purpose of professional and scientific interchange, and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with professional colleagues and institutions.
● Liaising with other US Government agencies, donor organizations, multilateral banks, private voluntary organizations, US universities, and professional organizations to coordinate with USAID programs, policies, and approaches in the sector.
● Coordinating the development of strategies, plans, program guidance, and application of research and research introduction learnings for Agency-wide incorporation into public health programs.
International and domestic travel approximately 25%.
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (7%)
● Keeping abreast of the state of the art research and advances in the fields of knowledge management research and program development.
● Deepening knowledge of working with country partners and global stakeholders in support of USG maternal and child health and nutrition programming.
● 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.
● Knowledge of research translation/utilization and policy, program design, and implementation, as well as direct experience in translating research into use.
● Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-site and multidisciplinary team-based organizational structure, including partners and other collaborators.
● Demonstrated technical leadership, policy experience, and problem solving skills working on and providing expert coordination of complex projects in a highly sensitive environment.
● Excellent analytical and written and oral communication skills.
● Demonstrated ability to organize workload, respond to multiple demands, and meet short deadlines.
● Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment.
● Ability to work well in a culturally diverse and team-based environment.
● Proficiency with French or Spanish preferred.
● 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 research, research utilization and/or knowledge management for global health programs, with at least three to five (3-5) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
TECHNICAL ADVISOR IV
Minimum fifteen (15) years’ experience in research, research utilization and/or knowledge management for global health programs, with at least five (5) years’ experience 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 Wednesday, March 8th, 2017 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.
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