Senior Technical Advisor - Health Systems Strengthening
Position Title: Senior Technical Advisor, Health Systems Strengthening Department/Country: PQSD Band: E FLSA: Exempt Reports To: Senior Health Advisor
Job Background/Summary:
Health and HIV programming are among the largest programmatic areas within Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS work in this area is active to various degrees throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America and is funded via various mechanisms including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEFPAR), USAID, the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the World Health Organization, private foundations, and various other donors. The primary responsibility of the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) for Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) is working with country programs globally to advance the technical quality of CRS health systems programming. In addition, the STA HSS will provide technical leadership and support to CRS’ emerging program area of health systems strengthening that strategically underpins CRS’ expanding portfolio in health and HIV and AIDS programming.
The STA HSS will work closely with existing CRS programs funded by multiple donors in multiple locations. For example, the STA HSS will work with field and HQ staff to identify lessons learned and strengths of existing systems that are applicable to the wider health systems network within CRS. The STA HSS will provide programmatic support and technical expertise to ensure the fulfillment of CRS’ responsibilities within existing programs, as well as increasing new skill sets in HSS within future programs. The STA HSS will work closely with faith-based healthcare systems and networks in the US and internationally, as well as establishing a network of academic institutions that could assist CRS programs. The STA HSS will be responsible for reviewing and identifying the strengths and implications of CRS experience to date in health systems related to maternal and child health, infectious diseases, home based care and antiretroviral therapy, and developing concept papers and other documentation that articulate CRS’ emerging strategic approach to health systems strengthening. For these CRS health systems responsibilities the STA HSS will report to the Senior Health Advisor in the CRS Program Quality Support Department. The STA HSS is based in Baltimore, travelling to Africa, Asia, and Latin America frequently.
Key Responsibilities: 1. Provide health systems-specific technical support to headquarters personnel, regional staff, and country programs in the areas of strategic program planning, project design and proposal development; project implementation; and monitoring and evaluation. This may include but not be limited to:
a. Leading proposal design, strategies, and evaluations from regions or country programs.
b. Participating in or facilitating strategic planning sessions and project design workshops.
c. Participating in evaluations and documentation of CRS HSS projects.
d. Overseeing the development of HSS-related programming and training materials.
e. Providing leadership in state-of-the-art developments and educating others on innovative and better practices in HSS programming.
Review and identify the strengths and implications of CRS experience to date in health systems related to maternal and child health, infectious diseases, home based care and antiretroviral therapy programs for the purpose of informing the definition of the CRS emerging program area for health systems strengthening.
Develop concept papers and other documentation as needed that articulates CRS emerging strategic approach to health systems strengthening, including a review of community level health systems and faith-based networks.
Foster the formation of a CRS network of academic institutions, faith based NGOs and other technical organizations and consultants specializing in health systems strengthening that would serve as potential strategic partners in advancing the CRS strategic direction for health systems strengthening.
Work with in-country teams and local partners at the request of regional and country programs to assess health systems and institutional capacities of local partners, design interventions and ensure they are integrated in program implementation.
Assist country programs to design and adopt efficient business models for health systems.
Support local partners at the request of regional and country program teams to develop and monitor strategic plans that are measurable in line with health policy environments in which they operate.
Support country programs, regions, and local partners to develop systems to measure performance; develop and adapt key tools, templates, frameworks and models for effective improvement of health management and leadership capacity for local partner systems; improve budgeting processing including adoption of cost-center budgeting; and improve health systems planning skills.
Provide technical assistance for improving hospital boards and management functioning of local faith-based healthcare associations.
Identify other international and local programs focusing on health systems improvement and build linkages with such programs as a way of gaining access to key resources needed to supplement CRS work in this field.
Participate in CRS’ HSS Working Group and contribute to the major activities including: the development of the monitoring and evaluation system for health systems capacity strengthening and transition to indigenous organizations; and the development and piloting of a contracts management approach by the indigenous organizations. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Within PQSD, the HIV/AIDS and Health Team members and other PQSD Technical Advisors; Global Fund Support Department; Overseas Support Department; US Operations; Fundraising; Corporations and Foundations; Policy and Advocacy Department; Country Representatives and Regional Directors; Deputy Regional Directors for Program Quality; AIDSRelief Global Management Team; Health/AIDS Regional Technical Advisors; Country Program and Regional Health/HIV/AIDS technical staff; and other CRS program staff.
External: International Health networks; HSS advisors of other FBOs/PVOs/NGOs; partner organizations; USG agencies such as USAID; universities; consultants; donors.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None.
Qualifications:
DrPH, MD, PhD, DNSc preferred, or Masters degree and equivalent experience, in Public Health or related field.
Minimum 7-10 years of progressive responsibility health system strengthening programming, of which at least 7 years experience is in relief or development programs
Minimum 5 years monitoring and evaluation and documentation experience.
Strong analytical, written and oral communication skills.
Excellent report writing and communication skills.
Ability to work with a diverse team and in different cultural settings.
Experience with US Government grants (e.g. MYAPs, TAPs, PEPFAR, etc.) including proposal writing and implementation.
Experience working in the health sector in resource limited settings including living in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In-depth understanding of hospital operations is required.
Strong organizational, analytical and information management skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong technical capacity in all aspects of HSS.
Ability to represent CRS’ organizational principles, including respect for and willingness to work within the CRS HIV/AIDS policy and Catholic Social Teaching.
Proficiency in French is a definite advantage.
Willingness to travel at least 30% of time.
NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.
To apply, please visit http://crs.org/about/careers/ Reference requisition I628
EOE/M/F/D/V
NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.
To apply, please visit http://crs.org/about/careers/ Reference requisition I628 EOE/M/F/D/V
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