Global Health Fellows: Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Advisor

in Jobs
May 27th, 2011

Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor Level II: Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Advisor
Technical Leadership and Research Division, Office of HIV/AIDS,
Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development
Location: Washington, DC
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP-11-228

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.

INTRODUCTION
USAID has been, and continues to be, at the forefront of the US Government (USG) response in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, funding over $6 billion since inception of its international HIV/AIDS program in 1986 with HIV/AIDS programs in nearly 100 countries worldwide. The Agency is a key partner in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment ever by any nation for an international health initiative dedicated to a single disease – a ten-year, $37 billion multifaceted approach to combating the disease in more than 120 countries around the world.

The Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Advisor (the Advisor) will serve as a member of the Office of HIV/AIDS’ Technical Leadership and Research Division (GH/OHA/TLR). The TLR Division provides technical and managerial guidance for state-of-the art programs for HIV prevention, care, and treatment as well as the application of related research into effective interventions and policies within health sector programming.

The Advisor will serve as a TB and HIV/AIDS subject matter specialist in the Division, assisting Missions, regional field offices, regional bureaus, cooperative agencies, private voluntary organizations, host country governments and nongovernmental organizations in the design and implementation of TB and HIV/AIDS care and prevention programs. The Advisor will provide technical expertise grounded in strong medical knowledge, previous clinical experience, and public health understanding. The Advisor will also work as part of a multi-specialty team and identify appropriate synergies across HIV activities and other global health initiatives. The Advisor will participate in analyzing data, reports and other information about TB and HIV/AIDS care both domestically and internationally and review relevant policies so as to recommend appropriate USAID policy and programs.

The TB and HIV/AIDS Advisor will receive day-to-day guidance from the Chief of the TLR Division with technical and programmatic input from the TLR Division Senior TB Officer.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The TB and HIV/AIDS Advisor will:

A. Provide technical and programmatic advice on the implementation of TB and HIV programs, focusing on PEPFAR supported countries:

  • Provide technical assistance to ensure program investments are consistent with international norms and standards and are synergistic with other investments made by the USG and partnering agencies
  • Provide technical guidance on TB and care and treatment linkage/integration issues, particularly in clinical settings such as TB clinics
  • Provide technical assistance to country and regional programs to help identify priority areas for USAID technical assistance and support in the area of TB/HIV
  • As part of the team of technical experts, conduct program evaluations and make appropriate recommendations for further actions
  • Stay abreast of current technical and clinical trends and international developments in HIV/AIDS and TB

B. Provide technical support to the GH/OHA care and support team on issues related to TB/HIV:

  • Monitor and analyze trends and issues related to TB and HIV/AIDS in PEPFAR countries including HIV testing of TB patients, TB screening of HIV patients, implementation of preventive therapy, and TB drug resistance levels among HIV-infected individuals
  • Provide guidance to the care and support team on new issues within TB and HIV/AIDS and areas requiring further development
  • Prepare and present technical presentations on TB and HIV/AIDS

C. Serve as a member of intra- and interagency teams and working groups on issues related to individuals with TB and HIV:

  • Serve as a liaison between the TB/HIV Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Care and Support TWG and the Prevention of Mother- to- Child Transmission TWG
  • Apply clinical and public health expertise to provide guidance and assistance on TB/HIV diagnostic, treatment, and preventive issues, as well as best practices in program implementation

D. Participate in USG and global meetings to develop strategies, guidelines, policies related to TB and HIV, including drug resistant TB; provide technical oversight to programs and partners:

  • Work with domestic and international partners to develop and revise documents to guide implementation of new developments in TB/HIV diagnosis and care
  • Work with Contract Officer’s Technical Representatives (COTRs) and other managers to ensure that programs are technically sound in the area of TB/HIV and that implementation is appropriate

E. Other duties:

  • Monitor current medical and public health literature, reports, and international guidelines and standards in TB and provide recommendations in developing improved approaches to monitoring and evaluating TB HIV AIDS programs
  • Participate in job-related international working groups and professional meetings. Prepare and submit occasional technical papers to professional journals and meetings

Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Advisor’s own interests.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

  • MD or DO with experience in international health care and support delivery. Master’s in Public Health or related field with an emphasis on infectious diseases preferred
  • Minimum five to twelve years’ experience in public health programs with emphasis on infectious diseases and HIV /AIDS and TB, and at least two years’ experience working on health care delivery in an international or resource constrained setting
  • Experience in multiple countries in Sub Saharan Africa and Asia preferred
  • Experience in providing medical care to HIV/AIDS patients
  • Ability to develop and monitor clinical components of HIV AIDS strategic plans
  • Knowledge of and familiarity with international TB initiatives and organizations and the ability to interact successfully with representatives and high level government officials of international and domestic governmental and nongovernmental agencies, multilateral and bilateral organizations, and host country governments
  • Ability to interpret strategy, to analyze, develop and present work results and to monitor and evaluate program implementation
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work cross-culturally with diverse teams
  • Excellent analytical written and oral communication skills
  • High degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity and originality to interpret strategy, to analyze, develop and present work and to monitor and evaluate implementation of programs
  • Willingness to travel to transitioning or developing countries
  • Computer literacy in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Fluency in a foreign language preferred
  • US Citizenship or 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

TO APPLY
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 June 20, 2010.