GHFP Strategic Information Advisor Position in Dar el Salaam, Tanzania

in Fellowships, Jobs
June 17th, 2013

Global Health Fellows Program II

Technical Advisor II: Strategic Information Advisor

USAID/Tanzania

Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Assignment: Two-year fellowship

GHFP-II-P2-084

 

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 working 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 US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the US Government (USG) initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally, and PEPFAR investments are also designed to have an impact on the alleviation of suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others in an effort to save lives by making smart investments.

PEPFAR is the cornerstone and largest component of the US President’s Global Health Initiative. With a special focus on improving the health of women, newborns and children, the Global Health Initiative’s goal is to save the greatest number of lives by increasing and building upon what works and, then, supporting countries as they work to improve the health of their own people.

More than 1.4 million Tanzanians are estimated to be living with the disease.  Since 2004, PEPFAR has supported the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in the areas of HIV and AIDS care and treatment, prevention, impact mitigation, and health systems strengthening. To date, Tanzania has received more than $2.2 billion from the US Government in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

INTRODUCTION

The Strategic Information Advisor (Advisor) will provide high quality technical assistance to the USG PEPFAR/Tanzania country team, technical working groups, implementing partners, and Government of Tanzania (GOT) counterparts to ensure that the portfolio of program activities contributes to the national HIV/AIDS strategic goals and targets. The Advisor will generate accurate data analyses and reports to inform national policy, and to meet the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) reporting requirements. The Advisor will receive day-to-day direction and operational guidance from the PEPFAR/Tanzania Coordinator.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary responsibilities of the Strategic Information Advisor include:

  • Participating in PEPFAR indicator monitoring, data collection and analysis. This may include collecting and reporting PEPFAR outcome and impact indicators; analyzing PEPFAR outputs; expenditure analyses; assisting USG agencies, technical working groups and partners with data analysis and preparation of abstracts and presentations for the PEPFAR annual conference, in-country meetings and international conferences; and reviewing PEPFAR’s data quality from implementing partners in an effort to meet benchmark standards.
  • Coordinating information and activities related to strategic information on behalf of PEPFAR/Tanzania. This may include coordinating responses to requests on strategic information both from within PEPFAR/Tanzania and externally; communicating measurement results and indicators; serving as the principal field counterpart to the Washington-based Strategic Information Advisor; leading development of country responses on strategic information queries from that Strategic Information Advisor, Core Team and OGAC; assisting in the identification and communication of strategic information issues, challenges, and policy questions to the GOT, US Department of State, and Country Team to solicit responses and action plans; and coordinating with programmatic strategic units to assist with timely preparation of the semi-annual/annual reports and target setting for the Country Operational Plans and Updates.
  • Contributing to assessments, evaluations and other activities related to strategic information. This may include coordinating in-country program areas and project assessments and evaluations across USG agencies and partners; providing technical oversight for evaluation, study design, and implementation; disseminating findings and identifying areas for further study that will assist PEPFAR and national programming; liaising with international partners to promote effective exchange of strategic information; and preparing presentations and reports for stakeholders including OGAC, the GOT, implementing partners, and donors.
  • Providing technical support to the GOT. This may include providing technical input and advice to update Tanzania’s strategic information guidelines, standards, and manuals to improve consistency with the latest PEPFAR strategic information guidance; reviewing strategic plans; coordinating the development of frameworks and strategies to assist national priorities and planning; participating in and providing technical assistance to the national monitoring and evaluation technical workgroup; and overseeing USG technical support to national data systems.
  • Facilitating the work of the PEPFAR/Tanzania Strategic Information Interagency Technical Team for the timely and accurate collection and reporting of PEPFAR monitoring, outcome and impact indicators.

 Training and Professional Development

  • Keeping abreast of the latest PEPFAR Strategic information guidelines and standards, and best practices more broadly in strategic information collection and evaluation.
  • Deepening knowledge of the analysis and evaluation of data related to PEPFAR activities.
  • Participating in interagency working groups and professional meetings as appropriate to SOW.
  • Participating in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.

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:

  • Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, social sciences, or a related discipline.
  • Minimum five years’ work experience in managing public health/social sector programs with at least two years’ HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation and program management experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of data management processes, tools, web-based database systems for large scale health program or HIV/AIDS activities. 
  • Extensive knowledge of public health principles, concepts, methods and techniques.
  • Experience working closely with high level government and other counterparts.
  • Evidence of excellent interpersonal, facilitation and team building skills.
  • Ability to analyze data and produce reports using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills.
  • Ability to communicate, influence and convince verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain medical clearance to live and work in Tanzania.
  • 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 2013 Benefits Booklet.

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.