Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor III: Senior Surveillance Advisor
Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Reporting Division, Office of HIV/AIDS, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development
Location: Washington, DC
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP-08-086
The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute (PHI) in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health, Management Systems International and Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. GHFP is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The goal of GHFP is to improve the effectiveness of USAID Population, Health and Nutrition programs by developing and increasing capacity of health professionals in Washington, DC and overseas. This is accomplished through the recruitment, placement and support of junior, mid and senior level health professionals; a diversity initiative focused on providing internship and mentoring opportunities in international public health to underrepresented communities; and professional and organizational development activities to bolster USAID’s ability to maximize results and strengthen its leadership role in global health.
INTRODUCTION:
The US Government (USG) has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a top priority, not only for humanitarian reasons, but because the HIV/AIDS crisis threatens the prosperity, stability and development of nations around the world. USAID has been, and continues to be, at the forefront of the USG response in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. USAID has funded over $6.4 billion since inception of its international HIV/AIDS program in 1986, more than any other public or private organization. The Agency currently has HIV/AIDS programs in nearly 100 countries worldwide.
The Surveillance Advisor will serve as a member of the Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Reporting Division (SPER) within the Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) of the Bureau for Global Health (GH/OHA/SPER). The Surveillance Advisor will provide broad HIV/AIDS-related expertise and guidance in program evaluation and monitoring; strengthen USAID’s ability to monitor program implementation; document results; and assess the programmatic impact of USAID’s goal to reduce HIV transmission and mitigate the impact of the disease on nations, communities and families. The Surveillance Advisor will also be a key contributor to the design and implementation of surveillance systems and reporting program results in the priority countries under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and in other USAID-assisted countries.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Collaborates with local in country USG programs and Ministry of Health officials to plan, implement, expand, analyze and evaluate HIV/AIDS surveillance activities.
- Assist other USG agencies, multilateral organizations, USAID partner organizations and other international and domestic donors in the design and implementation of cost-effective surveillance systems.
- Provides technical advice and consultation as an internationally recognized professional consultant and expert on critical problems in the field of HIV surveillance.
- Coordinate the development and implementation of training programs, workshops, and other participatory activities that will serve to broaden knowledge and practice of effective surveillance for HIV/AIDS program management and related activities.
- Develops and coordinates the sharing of HIV/AIDS, STD and TB surveillance-related educational or informational materials so that scientific advice and assistance is shared.
- Provide technical assistance to USAID Missions, Regional Bureaus and the Emergency Plan in the design and implementation of national or program-level surveillance.
- Prepare, present and disseminate materials, briefings, reports, graphics, etc. on HIV/AIDS surveillance and related programs to serve reference, informational and advocacy purposes.
- Participate as a member of the Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (MER) Team within the Strategic Planning, Evaluation & Reporting Division, acting as the Team’s surveillance expert.
- Under the direction of the MER Team Leader, and as a member of the SPER Division, participate in planning, implementing and reporting on USAID activities at the Team, Division, Office and Agency levels.
- Participate as a member of the PEPFAR Surveys & Surveillance Interagency Technical Working Group which coordinates USG efforts in HIV/AIDS surveys & surveillance and maximizes the use of USG resources and technical staff at both headquarters and in the field.
- Serve as GH Bureau’s principal expert on the HIV/AIDS surveillance, USAID programs and results and advise the Division Chief on program priorities and budgets.
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
- Masters’ or doctorate level degree in public health or related discipline. A degree in epidemiology is desirable.
- Minimum ten years’ work experience in public health or a related field with at least three years’ experience in an international or resource poor setting
- Minimum three years’ work experience with HIV/AIDS surveillance including development and implementation of HIV/AIDS surveillance systems
- Experience in establishing systems for the gathering, analysis, and dissemination of HIV/AIDS strategic information
- Demonstrated experience with surveillance development in relation to HIV/AIDS and other health related programs implementation in the field
- Demonstrated ability to (a) develop effective protocols, procedural guidance, data collection and monitoring systems, and (b) conduct data analysis and presentation
- Demonstrated knowledge of applied epidemiology, epidemiology of HIV, surveillance methods, and surveillance systems
- Demonstrated knowledge of epidemiology applied to HIV/AIDS health care planning and implementation of prevention, care, and treatment programs; HIV/STI surveillance; training and capacity building in HIV/STI epidemiology; and HIV/STI epidemiological research
- Excellent professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Division, Office, and Agency
- Experience working with personnel from different USG agencies, host country governments, as well as USG contractors and/or grantees
- High degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity and originality to interpret strategies, and to analyze, develop and present work results, and to monitor and evaluate implementation of programs
- Excellent interpersonal, facilitation and teambuilding skills
- Demonstrated ability in maintaining close counterpart relationships, both governmental and in the partner community
- Demonstrated ability to apply policy directives to activity design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation
- Ability to work independently with light supervision
- Ability to recognize professional areas of weakness and willingness to learn
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Experience working with PEPFAR desirable
- US Citizenship required
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary will be based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.
TO APPLY:
Visit the Recruitment section of our website at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/.
All candidates are required to apply through GHFP’s online recruitment system, 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 14, 2009. Past applicants need not reapply.
We are proud to be an affirmative action employer.
