Technical Advisor Level II: Malaria Technical Advisor

Global Health Fellows Program II Technical Advisor Level II: Malaria Technical Advisor President’s Malaria Initiative Team, Division of Health, Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau for Africa, United States Agency for International Development Location: Washington, DC Assignment: Two year fellowship GHFP II-P1-015

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with CDC Development Solutions and Management Systems International. 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 developing and increasing the capacity of health professionals with tailored development opportunities. This is accomplished through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels, and professional development activities aimed at enhancing the technical and leadership skills of global health professionals.

BACKGROUND:

The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) is a $1.2 billion five-year, US Government (USG) program led by USAID with the mandate of reducing the intolerable burden of malaria and help relieve poverty on the African continent. The goal of PMI is to reduce malaria-related mortality by 50% across the 19 sub-Saharan African focus countries. This will be achieved through a rapid scale up of a package of proven malaria prevention and treatment measures: artemisinin-based combination therapy; insecticide-treated mosquito nets, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy, and indoor residual spraying. The Initiative is results-based, focused, and exhibits a high level of financial and programmatic accountability.

In May 2009, President Obama announced the Global Health Initiative (GHI), a comprehensive USG initiative to reduce the burden of disease and strengthen communities around the world. The 2008 Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act (Lantos/Hyde Act) authorizes up to $5 billion in additional USG funding for malaria prevention and control for the period FY2009-2013. Building on the progress and experiences of the PMI during the past four years and the new approach to international health efforts laid out in the USG Global Health Initiative, PMI will work with partners to halve the burden of malaria (morbidity and mortality) in 70% of the at-risk populations of sub-Saharan Africa, thereby removing malaria as a major public health problem and promoting development throughout the African region.

INTRODUCTION:

The Malaria Technical Advisor is an integral member of USAID’s PMI team, assigned to the Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development (AFR/SD), Health Division team. Key responsibilities include: providing guidance, monitoring, and technical support to USAID at headquarters, and in the field with USAID Missions, PMI country teams, technical counterparts, implementing partners, Ministries of Health, and USAID cooperating agencies. S/he will exercise independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, in serving USG priorities at critical technical and policy forums, in resolving problems and conflicts, and in taking steps necessary to meet deadlines.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Malaria Technical Advisor will provide:

Country Support • Provide technical and programmatic support to one or more PMI focus countries and participate as an integral member of one or more interagency country support team • Provide guidance and support to Missions and PMI country teams on the development of annual country malaria operational plans and assist in monitoring and tracking overall progress of PMI plans and activities • Provide advice and assistance to Missions involved in malaria efforts, particularly the PMI-targeted countries in sub-Saharan Africa • Work closely with Bureau for Africa PMI colleagues to ensure strong support for PMI within the Bureau for Africa and, as needed, present and support the positions of the Bureau for Africa to PMI leadership

Technical Leadership and Project Management Support • Inform stakeholders about malaria developments and USAID's role in malaria by preparing and conducting presentations and other materials for colleagues, Bureau and Agency leadership, other donors and contractors • Create opportunities to work across sectors through routine interaction with the AFR/SD’s Divisions of Communication, Peacebuilding and Governance; Economic Growth, Environment, and Agriculture; and Education • Work with technical staff from the Office of Health, Infectious Diseases, and Nutrition in USAID’s Bureau for Global Health to strengthen linkages between malaria and other development-related activities

Documentation and Reporting • Keep abreast of new developments and emerging issues in malaria that affect USAID’s technical priorities via literature reviews, attendance at technical meetings and workshops, and participation in relevant training events • Formulate recommendations for the malaria team’s responses to these developments and share with colleagues, bureau leadership, and missions

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in public health, international health, social sciences or other related discipline. Specialized training in malaria is desirable • Minimum five to twelve years’ experience in designing, implementing, and managing malaria and/or other health programs, with at least two years’ experience in an international or resource-challenged setting (preferably in Africa) • Ability to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and partners, and in a team environment • Ability to communicate technical health information to both health and non-health audiences • Demonstrated project management, technical leadership, policy experience, and problem solving on complex projects • Knowledge of USAID programs, procedures, and systems for program design, procurement, logistics, management and monitoring desirable • Computer skills in MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Access • Willingness and ability to travel internationally • French language skills desirable • 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 programshttp://www.ghfp.net/docs/2012_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.pdf

How to apply:

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system athttps://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 December 19, 2011 5:00 pm eastern time.

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