New GHFP-II Fellowship Program Advisor position. Apply by June 5th

in Jobs
May 23rd, 2013

Global Health Fellows Program II

Technical Advisor I: Program Advisor

Office of Country Support, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Location: Washington, DC

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP-II-P2-080

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 addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual work planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.

 

BACKGROUND:

The Bureau for Global Health (GH) is the USAID/Washington operating unit charged with providing technical support to improve the health of people in the developing world by expanding health services, including family planning/reproductive health and maternal/child health; strengthening health systems; and addressing HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, avian influenza and other public health threats. GH’s primary role in the health program area is to strengthen field operations, promote research and technical innovation, and provide leadership and training.

Within GH, the Office of Country Support (OCS) supports the vision, implementation and analysis of the Agency’s health initiatives (e.g., the Global Health Initiative) and Agency-wide priorities (e.g., USAID Forward). The OCS serves as a nexus for informing and coordinating with field programs and strategy development and implementation; as such, it is responsible for direct communication with USAID mission health teams. To undertake this function, OCS manages the USAID/Washington Country Health Team System, working closely with GH staff and across USAID/Washington to provide strong strategic support to the field and to conduct analysis and documentation of the Agency best practices. Primarily, the OCS:

  1. Coordinates strategic technical and management assistance, talent and knowledge management.
  2. Ensures high-quality information and advice on country context, issues and challenges.
  3. Provides leadership in interagency policy development and field implementation.
  4. Is at the vanguard for sharing knowledge and influencing strategic reforms, ensuring interface and impact in country programs.

 

INTRODUCTION:

As a catalytic office working across GH and regional bureaus, OCS is the critical link for ensuring strong support and implementation of health programming. The OCS plays an essential role as the primary contact, advocate and principal coordinator of health technical, strategic and programmatic support for USAID mission health programs. OCS staff has two primary interrelated responsibilities: 1) developing tools, systems and policy; and 2) supporting missions and the US Government (USG) on Global Health Initiative program implementation, within USAID and interagency. The Program Advisor will work across these two interrelated functions to establish systems and processes to support strong programming in the field.

The Program Advisor will endeavor to maintain a highly functioning Country Assistant system and also assist to strengthen the Country Team system, the Operating Plan and Program Planning and Reporting (PRR) review processes, the Health Implementation Plan (HIP) review process and assist to strengthen and develop other processes/systems for supporting missions. The Program Advisor will receive day to day guidance from the OCS Senior Advisor.

 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Program Advisor will:

  • Support strengthening of the GH Country Team System through close collaboration with the Regional Leads, Alternates and Country Assistants to increase effective mission support. Activities may include working with Regional Leads on training and orienting Country Teams and new Country Team members; implementing an assessment survey of the Country Team system to gain insight into how to strengthen the system; and analyzing survey results to recommend changes in the Country Team System.    
  • Support OCS’ efforts to increase knowledge sharing. This will involve managing the “In the Know for the Field” Series through identifying presentation topics and speakers; preparing speakers; facilitating presentations; and conducting as-needed follow-up.
  • Assist in developing South-to-South learning efforts by identifying and recommending the best forums/platforms through which missions may share their best practices – and knowledge of bottlenecks – to successful health programming. Once forums/platforms selected, support implementation and uptake by missions.
  • Coordinate Front Office country briefings.
  • Coordinate the Country Assistant System (CAS). Activities will include establishing a training system for Country Assistants; recruiting Country Assistants (from GH Bureau staff); and orienting and mentoring new Country Assistants to the CAS.
  • Assist in strengthening the CAS. Activities may include guiding new Country Assistants in Agency policies and procedures (e.g., PPRs, HIP Reviews); helping Country Assistants understand how to identify, elevate and follow-up on critical country issues from Country Teams to the appropriate level within OCS and the GH Front Office; and supporting the standardization of procedures for country teams (e.g., briefing process, standardized country file system, country team conference calls and note-taking format).
  • Collaborate with GH staff to develop mechanisms to strengthen support for missions. Activities may include facilitating blanket purchase agreements; automating the consultant list; developing operational guidance for Country Teams; seeking ways to strengthen regular communication between missions and HQ; and developing systems to evaluate and consolidate data (e.g., TDY Request System, TDY Assessment system).
  • In collaboration with Regional Leads and GH’s Office of Policy, Programs, and Planning, coordinate monitoring and evaluation processes with Country Teams. Activities may include supporting Mission program reporting against planned indicators/targets (PPRs) and Mission annual health planning processes (HIP Reviews).

Training and Professional Development  

  • Keep abreast of literature and latest developments related to USG global health policy and frameworks, especially as it relates to interagency collaboration and building capacity at the local level.
  • Further develop skills related to country program management.
  • Deepen knowledge of health trends, policy and context in a specific geographic region.
  • Participate in interagency working groups and professional meetings, as appropriate to SOW.
  • Participate in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.

 Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational and programming needs.

International travel approximately 20-25%.

 

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

  • Master’s degree in public health or other relevant social science.
  • 0 – 7 years’ experience working in international health, with or without experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
  • Knowledge of the theories and principles of international relations, political science, economics, geography, history or other related disciplines to analyze and evaluate factors and conditions involved in the administration of US foreign policy programs related to health.
  • Broad knowledge of at least one health programming function, including family planning, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and/or health systems within an international context.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining coordination structures and systems designed to improve efficiency and effectiveness of communication and overall support. Ability to identify and build appropriate linkages across sectors and with other USG initiatives and programs such as Feed the Future, Democracy and Governance, Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade desired.
  • Computer literacy and knowledge in collaborative computer programs such as Google Drive, SharePoint and Cloud-based technology.
  • Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels and across geographic and organizational boundaries.
  • Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to identify challenges and collaboratively develop solutions.
  • Ability to work effectively as a team player. Skills in oral and written communication to prepare and present analyses, provide guidance, solicit information, defend proposals and negotiate agreements.
  • Ability to travel internationally.
  • 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/2012_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.pdf

TO APPLY:
All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’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 applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on June 5, 2013.

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