Population, Health and Environment Advisor
Ethiopia - Addis Ababa
Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor I: Population, Health and Environment Advisor
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Ethiopia
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP-11-210
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 the 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.
BACKGROUND
Established in 1964, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation (the Foundation, or Packard) focuses the majority of its grant making in three program areas: Conservation and Science, Population, and Children, Families, and Communities. The Foundation’s Population and Reproductive Health Program invests in pioneering organizations and individuals that strive to give women and their families the ability to decide how many children to have and when to have them, and to receive proper medical attention when they do. The goal of the Population and Reproductive Health’s subprogram for Sub-Saharan Africa is to increase the number of women who have the capacity, agency and facilitating environment to make informed family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) choices. Ethiopia is one of the primary focus countries for the Sub-Saharan Africa subprogram.
The Population and Reproductive Health Program of the Foundation commenced its activities in Ethiopia in 1999. The goal of the Packard Ethiopia program is to increase access to quality FP/RH services, especially among young people. This goal supports the population policy of the Government of Ethiopia. Through grants to nongovernmental (NGO) and private sector organizations, the Packard Ethiopia program seeks to:
• Expand FP/RH service delivery, including post-abortion care, in an innovative and cost effective way that ensures quality while increasing coverage;
• Expand youth access to modern FP/RH services and information; and
• Foster a social environment receptive to FP/RH practices.
To date, the Foundation has approved grants totaling over $80 million in support of more than 30 NGOs implementing service delivery and education in various aspects of reproductive health in Ethiopia. As part of its grant program, the Foundation is interested in exploring the programmatic linkages between population, health and environment (PHE). Studies show that, in Ethiopia, the areas that are environmentally vulnerable are also those that have been inhabited by humans for the longest period of time. In January 2007, the Foundation commissioned a high level study to assess the possibilities for integrated population, health and environment (PHE) programming and policy application in Ethiopia. The study revealed that in spite of a growing realization that population, health and environment problems were interlinked, the idea of PHE integration as an intervention approach was very new. Discussions were furthered around PHE integrated approaches at an international conference held in Addis Ababa in November 2007. This event, co-hosted by Packard and USAID, brought together practitioners, donors and decision makers to discuss PHE integrated development for East Africa. An outcome of this event was agreement regarding the purpose of integrated PHE programming in Ethiopia: to implement interventions that are holistic and participatory whereby issues of environment, health and population are addressed in an integrated manner for improved livelihoods and sustainable well being of people and ecosystems.
As a follow up to this event, in 2008 the Foundation solicited its existing Ethiopian grantees to submit proposals for projects to pilot the PHE approach in Ethiopia. Over the past three years, the Foundation funded five such projects, along with a new grant to establish a national consortium for PHE work in Ethiopia, the PHE Consortium (also referred to as the PHE – Ethiopia Consortium). USAID funded a GHFP Fellow from 2008 to 2010 to assist the Foundation in fostering integrated PHE approaches. Based in Packard’s Ethiopia office, the Fellow served as a PHE Technical Advisor providing technical assistance to Packard grantees and other organizations in Ethiopia implementing PHE projects. The Fellow worked closely with the nascent PHE Consortium and the other local grantees of the Packard Foundation implementing PHE programs.
The PHE Consortium consists of over 50 member organizations and individuals from international and local NGOs, development associations, research institutions/universities, donors and government agencies that work in environment, health and population programs in Ethiopia. The PHE Consortium focuses on promoting integrated approaches to development, building the capacity of implementers, and enhancing learning among member and partner organizations. In addition to the PHE Consortium, five local organizations funded by Packard are implementing PHE programs focused on community-based approaches. One of these five implementing organizations, the Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA), is an umbrella organization to more than 200 NGOs working on health, environment and population activities in Ethiopia. For a report on the PHE Consortium and the work completed over the past three years by the Packard Ethiopia grantees and the GHFP PHE Fellow, see http://phe-ethiopia.org/pdf/Packard%20PHE%20Reflections.pdf
Gender integration is an important component within PHE programming. PHE projects have traditionally seen impact on improving gender outcomes in both population and environment sectors (by engaging more men in FP and more women in environment activities). Packard is interested in looking at this particular issue within its PHE funded activities and seeks to document successful approaches and disseminate this information to the PHE community.
INTRODUCTION
In collaboration with Packard’s Ethiopia Country Representative and other key staff, and through Packard’s grantees, the PHE Advisor assists with the integration of environmental concerns into interventions to improve reproductive health outcomes and promote women’s empowerment among key stakeholders, including government officials, donors and nongovernmental organizations in Ethiopia. S/he provides technical assistance to the grantees implementing PHE programs in Ethiopia and further develops the sustainability of the PHE Consortium. Additional sustainability measures will be implemented by continuing to develop the PHE capacity of pre-selected, key partners in the public sector such as universities conducting evidence research and academic community-based organizations, some of which are targeting youth in their programming. Specifically, the PHE Advisor will:
PHE Integration Technical Assistance
• Stay up to date on state of the art approaches in population, health and environment integration and present them when opportunities arise to key policymakers and donor audiences
• In collaboration with the Packard Ethiopia Country Representative, maintain and heighten visibility of the importance of integrating environmental considerations and environmental program approaches into other development sectors, especially family planning and reproductive health
• Serve as the internal technical expert for Packard Ethiopia staff and grantees in PHE implementation
• Provide technical assistance on PHE implementation to Packard grantees, PHE Consortium members and other local organizations
• Participate in other Packard-related activities including high level policy meetings, NGO/donors’ networks, grantees/partners’ meetings, field visits, etc.
• Engage in emerging local and international discussions on climate change and identify the niche of the Packard Ethiopia PHE programs in global, regional, and national climate change initiatives
• Play an active role as a member of the PHE Consortium. Serve as the main link between the PHE Consortium and Packard Foundation staff, and inform the Packard Ethiopia Country Representative and other key Packard staff about important activities undertaken by the PHE Consortium and organizations implementing PHE activities
• Regularly attend PHE meetings on behalf of the Packard Foundation
• Identify opportunities for Packard grantees to integrate environmental issues into their ongoing portfolio of activities
• Identify research ideas and organize meetings for/on PHE in collaboration with the PHE Consortium
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
• Monitor Packard projects integrating PHE approaches and provide technical guidance to improve integration efforts
• Build capacity among Packard grantees to improve their M&E plans in order to demonstrate the successes related to integrating PHE interventions
• Monitor and document integrated PHE approaches implemented by Packard grantees that are unique to Ethiopia, and prepare them for dissemination to key audiences
• Review the existing M&E framework of the PHE Consortium, identifying areas for adjustment and additional data collection
• Provide technical assistance to consortium member organizations on developing their own M&E capacity
Documentation and Communication
• Translate M&E results into messages for publications, presentations and the PHE Consortium website
• Support the Packard PHE grantees in developing up to date materials, articles and content for their resource website and newsletters
• Write reports and develop presentations related to PHE integration for the Packard senior staff; organize site visits, and develop mechanisms to share information and successes with other Foundation staff
• Work as part of the Packard team to identify capacity gaps and resource needs of PHE Consortium staff
• Maintain close communication with Washington DC based PHE implementing organizations (Population Reference Bureau, the BALANCED Project, the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, and World Wildlife Fund) in order to transfer lessons from Ethiopia to the larger PHE community
Capacity Transfer
• In collaboration with the Packard Ethiopia Country Representative, develop and implement a plan to embed PHE integration strategies, knowledge and approaches into the organizational practices of Packard PHE grantees, including the PHE Consortium
• In collaboration with the Packard Ethiopia Country Representative, identify key Packard and grantee staff to mentor in PHE integration strategies and approaches in order to transfer technical expertise to the organization
• Develop materials documenting PHE best practices in the Ethiopian context for use by new grantees and other organizations interested in developing integrated PHE programs
Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Technical Advisor’s own interests.
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
• Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Public Health or related field
• One to seven years’ experience in international public health, especially family planning and reproductive health in a developing country or resource challenged setting
• Familiarity with the PHE field or a passion for and proven experience in integrated approaches to development
• Demonstrated excellent writing skills
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology including frameworks, data quality assurance, analysis reporting and best practices in data dissemination and data use
• Demonstrated experience with managing data, information, and monitoring and evaluation of public health and/or environment activities
• Familiarity with research and willingness to independently learn new topics
• Strong communication skills with ability to speak in groups and good presentation skills
• Strong computer skills, particularly with MS Office and the Adobe Creative Suite
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively
• Willingness and ability to travel within Ethiopia
• Ability to work well in teams and the discipline to work independently as needed
• Demonstrated creativity, patience, flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment
• Ability to obtain and maintain medical clearance to live and work in Ethiopia
• US citizenship or US permanent residency 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 http://www.ghfp.net/docs/2011_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.pdf
All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP’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 5:00 pm Eastern Time March 17, 2011.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer.
Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor I: Population, Health and Environment Advisor
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Ethiopia
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP-11-210
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 the 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.
BACKGROUND
Established in 1964, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation (the Foundation, or Packard) focuses the majority of its grant making in three program areas: Conservation and Science, Population, and Children, Families, and Communities. The Foundation’s Population and Reproductive Health Program invests in pioneering organizations and individuals that strive to give women and their families the ability to decide how many children to have and when to have them, and to receive proper medical attention when they do. The goal of the Population and Reproductive Health’s subprogram for Sub-Saharan Africa is to increase the number of women who have the capacity, agency and facilitating environment to make informed family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) choices. Ethiopia is one of the primary focus countries for the Sub-Saharan Africa subprogram.
The Population and Reproductive Health Program of the Foundation commenced its activities in Ethiopia in 1999. The goal of the Packard Ethiopia program is to increase access to quality FP/RH services, especially among young people. This goal supports the population policy of the Government of Ethiopia. Through grants to nongovernmental (NGO) and private sector organizations, the Packard Ethiopia program seeks to:
• Expand FP/RH service delivery, including post-abortion care, in an innovative and cost effective way that ensures quality while increasing coverage;
• Expand youth access to modern FP/RH services and information; and
• Foster a social environment receptive to FP/RH practices.
To date, the Foundation has approved grants totaling over $80 million in support of more than 30 NGOs implementing service delivery and education in various aspects of reproductive health in Ethiopia. As part of its grant program, the Foundation is interested in exploring the programmatic linkages between population, health and environment (PHE). Studies show that, in Ethiopia, the areas that are environmentally vulnerable are also those that have been inhabited by humans for the longest period of time. In January 2007, the Foundation commissioned a high level study to assess the possibilities for integrated population, health and environment (PHE) programming and policy application in Ethiopia. The study revealed that in spite of a growing realization that population, health and environment problems were interlinked, the idea of PHE integration as an intervention approach was very new. Discussions were furthered around PHE integrated approaches at an international conference held in Addis Ababa in November 2007. This event, co-hosted by Packard and USAID, brought together practitioners, donors and decision makers to discuss PHE integrated development for East Africa. An outcome of this event was agreement regarding the purpose of integrated PHE programming in Ethiopia: to implement interventions that are holistic and participatory whereby issues of environment, health and population are addressed in an integrated manner for improved livelihoods and sustainable well being of people and ecosystems.
As a follow up to this event, in 2008 the Foundation solicited its existing Ethiopian grantees to submit proposals for projects to pilot the PHE approach in Ethiopia. Over the past three years, the Foundation funded five such projects, along with a new grant to establish a national consortium for PHE work in Ethiopia, the PHE Consortium (also referred to as the PHE – Ethiopia Consortium). USAID funded a GHFP Fellow from 2008 to 2010 to assist the Foundation in fostering integrated PHE approaches. Based in Packard’s Ethiopia office, the Fellow served as a PHE Technical Advisor providing technical assistance to Packard grantees and other organizations in Ethiopia implementing PHE projects. The Fellow worked closely with the nascent PHE Consortium and the other local grantees of the Packard Foundation implementing PHE programs.
The PHE Consortium consists of over 50 member organizations and individuals from international and local NGOs, development associations, research institutions/universities, donors and government agencies that work in environment, health and population programs in Ethiopia. The PHE Consortium focuses on promoting integrated approaches to development, building the capacity of implementers, and enhancing learning among member and partner organizations. In addition to the PHE Consortium, five local organizations funded by Packard are implementing PHE programs focused on community-based approaches. One of these five implementing organizations, the Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA), is an umbrella organization to more than 200 NGOs working on health, environment and population activities in Ethiopia. For a report on the PHE Consortium and the work completed over the past three years by the Packard Ethiopia grantees and the GHFP PHE Fellow, see http://phe-ethiopia.org/pdf/Packard%20PHE%20Reflections.pdf
Gender integration is an important component within PHE programming. PHE projects have traditionally seen impact on improving gender outcomes in both population and environment sectors (by engaging more men in FP and more women in environment activities). Packard is interested in looking at this particular issue within its PHE funded activities and seeks to document successful approaches and disseminate this information to the PHE community.
INTRODUCTION
In collaboration with Packard’s Ethiopia Country Representative and other key staff, and through Packard’s grantees, the PHE Advisor assists with the integration of environmental concerns into interventions to improve reproductive health outcomes and promote women’s empowerment among key stakeholders, including government officials, donors and nongovernmental organizations in Ethiopia. S/he provides technical assistance to the grantees implementing PHE programs in Ethiopia and further develops the sustainability of the PHE Consortium. Additional sustainability measures will be implemented by continuing to develop the PHE capacity of pre-selected, key partners in the public sector such as universities conducting evidence research and academic community-based organizations, some of which are targeting youth in their programming. Specifically, the PHE Advisor will:
PHE Integration Technical Assistance
• Stay up to date on state of the art approaches in population, health and environment integration and present them when opportunities arise to key policymakers and donor audiences
• In collaboration with the Packard Ethiopia Country Representative, maintain and heighten visibility of the importance of integrating environmental considerations and environmental program approaches into other development sectors, especially family planning and reproductive health
• Serve as the internal technical expert for Packard Ethiopia staff and grantees in PHE implementation
• Provide technical assistance on PHE implementation to Packard grantees, PHE Consortium members and other local organizations
• Participate in other Packard-related activities including high level policy meetings, NGO/donors’ networks, grantees/partners’ meetings, field visits, etc.
• Engage in emerging local and international discussions on climate change and identify the niche of the Packard Ethiopia PHE programs in global, regional, and national climate change initiatives
• Play an active role as a member of the PHE Consortium. Serve as the main link between the PHE Consortium and Packard Foundation staff, and inform the Packard Ethiopia Country Representative and other key Packard staff about important activities undertaken by the PHE Consortium and organizations implementing PHE activities
• Regularly attend PHE meetings on behalf of the Packard Foundation
• Identify opportunities for Packard grantees to integrate environmental issues into their ongoing portfolio of activities
• Identify research ideas and organize meetings for/on PHE in collaboration with the PHE Consortium
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
• Monitor Packard projects integrating PHE approaches and provide technical guidance to improve integration efforts
• Build capacity among Packard grantees to improve their M&E plans in order to demonstrate the successes related to integrating PHE interventions
• Monitor and document integrated PHE approaches implemented by Packard grantees that are unique to Ethiopia, and prepare them for dissemination to key audiences
• Review the existing M&E framework of the PHE Consortium, identifying areas for adjustment and additional data collection
• Provide technical assistance to consortium member organizations on developing their own M&E capacity
Documentation and Communication
• Translate M&E results into messages for publications, presentations and the PHE Consortium website
• Support the Packard PHE grantees in developing up to date materials, articles and content for their resource website and newsletters
• Write reports and develop presentations related to PHE integration for the Packard senior staff; organize site visits, and develop mechanisms to share information and successes with other Foundation staff
• Work as part of the Packard team to identify capacity gaps and resource needs of PHE Consortium staff
• Maintain close communication with Washington DC based PHE implementing organizations (Population Reference Bureau, the BALANCED Project, the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, and World Wildlife Fund) in order to transfer lessons from Ethiopia to the larger PHE community
Capacity Transfer
• In collaboration with the Packard Ethiopia Country Representative, develop and implement a plan to embed PHE integration strategies, knowledge and approaches into the organizational practices of Packard PHE grantees, including the PHE Consortium
• In collaboration with the Packard Ethiopia Country Representative, identify key Packard and grantee staff to mentor in PHE integration strategies and approaches in order to transfer technical expertise to the organization
• Develop materials documenting PHE best practices in the Ethiopian context for use by new grantees and other organizations interested in developing integrated PHE programs
Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Technical Advisor’s own interests.
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
• Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Public Health or related field
• One to seven years’ experience in international public health, especially family planning and reproductive health in a developing country or resource challenged setting
• Familiarity with the PHE field or a passion for and proven experience in integrated approaches to development
• Demonstrated excellent writing skills
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology including frameworks, data quality assurance, analysis reporting and best practices in data dissemination and data use
• Demonstrated experience with managing data, information, and monitoring and evaluation of public health and/or environment activities
• Familiarity with research and willingness to independently learn new topics
• Strong communication skills with ability to speak in groups and good presentation skills
• Strong computer skills, particularly with MS Office and the Adobe Creative Suite
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively
• Willingness and ability to travel within Ethiopia
• Ability to work well in teams and the discipline to work independently as needed
• Demonstrated creativity, patience, flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment
• Ability to obtain and maintain medical clearance to live and work in Ethiopia
• US citizenship or US permanent residency 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 http://www.ghfp.net/docs/2011_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.pdf
How to apply
TO APPLYAll applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP’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 5:00 pm Eastern Time March 17, 2011.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer.
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