Public Health Specialist (HIV AIDS Treatment Advisor) in Tanzania

Closing date of the position: November 29, 2012

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Embassy is seeking an individual for the position of Public Health Specialist (HIV AIDS Treatment Advisor) in the office of Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR).

Please note the position is not to exceed two years from date of hire and renewable based on funding availability. 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

The position is the key treatment advisor position to the WRAIR Country Director and provides comprehensive public health technical, administrative and managerial advice and assistance in support of treatment activities provided under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The jobholder participates in program management as part of the PEPFAR Tanzania management team and is responsible for developing, implementing treatment programs as part of the United States Government effort in Tanzania. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

I. Program Management for PEPFAR Treatment Projects

70%

Incumbent serves as a public health expert technical advisor for the development, implementation and monitoring of USG-supported HIV/AIDS treatment activities in by taking a proactive role in Treatment initiatives. 

Job holder is the Treatment Program Technical Advisor to the host country Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, TPDF, partners and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the implementation of Treatment programs and activities through one or more PEPFAR grants/cooperative agreements and contracts, as well as partners funded by the government or Global Fund as indicated. 

Job holder provides technical evaluation of assigned proposals for treatment programs of PEPFAR partners, working with representatives to make sure that most current treatment protocols are included and recommends amendments/approval to supervisor. 

Incumbent provides technical guidance and direction to grantees, program collaborators and contractors on management and implementation of activities to be consistent with PEPFAR policies and guidance and host country policies and regulations. 

Incumbent works closely with host government Ministry of Health, TPDF, international organizations and non-governmental organizations, also private sector providers to make sure PEPFAR treatment programs are being carried out as designed. In liaison with the Strategic Information unit/advisors position develops program evaluation strategies, methodologies and indicators for monitoring programs in accordance with standard guidelines and protocols. Recommends procedural modifications as warranted to align with treatment protocols. Contacts are with medical staff to provide updated information on treatment of HIV/AIDS patients. Deals with high level counterparts in all areas. 

Job holder monitors activities by each partner organization on a regular basis to ensure goals and objectives are being met, treatment protocols are followed. This involves periodic site visits and meetings with representatives of each organization to review progress and provide updated technical information. 

Ensure that treatment courses follow established protocols. 

Job holder makes sure that all partners for which the job holder is responsible and MOHSW medical facilities are following guidelines and best practices and have adequate facilities and staffing. Reviews and gives feedback on all data generated by partners on a quarterly/semi-annual basis. Conducts regular training sessions to ensure staff are up-to-date with treatment protocols. Develops partner specific strategies to address challenges in implementation based on the data reviews. 

Collaborates with local partners to make sure that program results are achieved and that all appropriate programmatic activities and study protocols meet human subject requirements and pass through ethical review with the appropriate agency authority. 

Serves as project officer and main point of contact for treatment cooperative agreements and contracts. Once cooperative agreements/contracts are in place, oversee performance of cooperating partners/contractors, carries out technical reviews, reviews progress, identifies potential issues and informs supervisor, recommending actions for amelioration. The job holder manages cooperative agreements/contracts totaling approximately $20 million per year. 

Jobholder participates in project management as part of the PEPFAR Tanzania senior management team and is responsible for developing and implementing HIV treatment programs/activities as part of USG support of expanded care and treatment services in Tanzania. 

Advises the WRAIR Country Director on treatment maters and coordinates with senior technical staff on all related program activities. 

The jobholder plays the leading technical role in defining strategic vision and managing a portfolio purposed to work with the Ministry of Health, TPDF, contractors and cooperative agreement partners to build laboratory capacity services that will allow the achievement of USG goals in identification of world health risks. 

Responsible for providing technical assistance to external partners to progressively build national capacity: Plans and coordinates training on related laboratory technologies of public health personnel in country. Drafts, reviews and edits laboratory training tools and documents. Develops regional operational plans and activities based on the needs assessment to improve treatment programs supported by WRAIR. 

Job holder monitors implementation activities and collaborates with each partner organization on a regular basis to ensure program results are achieved. This involves regular site visits and meetings with representatives of each organization to review progress. 

Job holder oversees treatment technical aspects in development of the Scope of Work, Funding Opportunity Announcement, Request for Application, or Annual Program Statement and reviews applications, supplemental awards, and requests for extensions for activities under his/her purview. Once grant/cooperative agreement/contract is in place, participates with implementing partners in the development of work plans for implementation of activities and oversees performance of partners Works very closely with implementing partners and other USG staff to coordinate activities—harmonizing treatment activities. All of this is done in conjunction with other in country partners and according to the national laboratory strategic plan. 

Jobholder works very closely with NACP, MOHSW, and TACAIDS. The annual budget for treatment in fiscal year FY 2013 is $20 million. 

Incumbent is responsible for planning and drafting the treatment portion of the Country Operational Plan (COP) each year and working with male circumcision, Counseling & Testing, Prevention and Strategic Information colleagues to ensure that programs are working together to complement support and capacity building. 

Incumbent provides guidance and direction to grantees, program collaborators and contractors on management and implementation of activities to be consistent with USG and international policies and guidance. 

Job holder collaborates with host government Ministry of Health, TPDF, international organizations and non-governmental organizations on their activities to make sure programs are being carried out as designed.

II. Program Administration

15%

Incumbent is responsible for providing oversight and monitoring the budgets allocated to Treatment implementing/cooperative agreement partners within the job holder's portfolio. This includes reviewing budget requests for appropriateness, monitoring use of funds for adherence to proposed activities; quarterly pipeline reviews/budget status reports, following up on irregular findings, providing advice for realignments of budgets, accruals. 

Incumbent participates in budget development based on WRAIR/host country goals and monitors expenditures during the year. Responsible for tracking all funds and expenditures by PEPFAR treatment program area and submitting detailed financial status reports to WRAIR Country Director. 

Adjusts targets and accruals as necessary and provides appropriate feedback to WRAIR Country Director. This includes reviewing budget requests for appropriateness, monitoring use of funds for adherence to proposed activities, producing quarterly pipeline reviews/budget status reports, following up on irregular findings, providing advice for realignments of budgets and accruals. 

Job holder is responsible for permanent project files management in accordance with WRAIR regulations and in conjunction with the national guidelines, working in collaboration with other USG partners to ensure accuracy and avoid parallel systems. 

Incumbent is responsible for developing evaluation strategies in order to collect data and prepare reports as required on monthly, quarterly, annual basis. 

Manages the data collection process, ensuring personal data integrity and security of information in the reporting databases is carefully guarded. 

Prepares briefings for VIP visitors, participates in making arrangements for visits and serves as spokesman as required on matters within his/her technical expertise. 

Prepares regular and ad hoc reports on progress of each PEPFAR treatment partner activities. Ensures accurate and on-time monthly, semi-annual and annual reporting on WRAIR treatment programs. 

Job holder prepares and occasionally presents briefings for Congressional and Executive delegations, industry leaders and other high-level visitors; participates in making arrangements for visits and serve as spokesperson as required. S/he serves as control officer for site visits for agency and inter-agency PEPFAR senior-level officials. These will be included in regular reports to WRAIR/Washington and ultimately to the U.S. Congress.

III. Interagency Coordination

15%

As a regional and international expert on matters pertaining to HIV treatment, job holder represents WRAIR/Tanzania technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. Briefs senior agency officials on the results of such meetings and prepares written reports for submission to other interested parties. 

Represents the agency in discussing and developing financial commitment proposals for HIV treatment programs at administrative and strategic planning meetings. This includes all USG agencies (Departments of State, Defense, and Health and Human Services (including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration, National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Food and Drug Administration), USAID, and Peace Corps). 

Participates in internal and interagency technical working groups to ensure adherence to internationally accepted/directed standards for treatment of AIDS patients. 

Serves as the primary liaison between the Department of Health and the interagency PEPFAR working group in country on all areas related to HIV treatment. Serves as the primarily liaison between the in-country technical working group (TWG) on treatment and the HQ-based TWGs. Provides technical expertise and guidance to HQ and other country teams. 

Facilitates partnership between implementing partners through daily/weekly collaboration with colleagues and health professionals and contributes to an environment of teamwork among partners and the host government military. 

Communicates regularly (through oral presentations and written reports) with all interested parties: other health team members, the Ministries of Defense and Health, other partners and other USG donors. Submits a monthly written report to the HQ office summarizing progress and deliverables. 

Works to harmonize tools, strategies and reporting formats among partners. In working with partners, reports on and prepares presentations of WRAIR's views, targets and accomplishments. Monitors, provides guidance to and oversees results of programs funded through grants, contracts, cooperative agreements and other mechanisms to accomplish strategic objectives. 

Job holder serves as the in-country WRAIR representative on inter-agency technical working groups (TWGs) for purposes of: 
a) Assessing existing in-country assets and activities aimed at prevention of HIV infection and treatment for those with AIDS; 
b) Developing approaches to strengthening such activities with minimal overlap and unnecessary duplication; and 
c) Ensuring effective coordination of work plan development, implementation strategies, and evaluation plans for all USG agency HIV/AIDS activities in country. 

On behalf of the WRAIR Office, incumbent may participate with other PEPFAR professionals on in-country committees for HIV/AIDS issues. The purpose of such committees is to assess program needs and issues at the local level and develop strategies for communicating these needs/issues to the national level. The committees help to ensure consistency in the implementation of best practices on a national level.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Education: Doctoral level (DrPH, MD or PhD) degree in medicine, nursing, public health, epidemiology, behavioral or social sciences field is required.
2. Prior Work Experience: Five years of mid-to-senior level public health experience in developing, implementing and evaluating HIV/AIDS treatment programs or other relevant public health programs that involve coordination with an international agency or implementing partner is required. One additional year of experience at the managerial level with multiple staff is required.
3. Post Entry Training: Ongoing professional certification seminars focusing on changing clinical treatment protocols. Ongoing training in approaches to program design, implementation and reporting. Attendance at conferences and workshops dealing with the AIDS pandemic. Agency-specific leadership and development and grants/cooperative agreements management training are required.
4. Language proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) in English and Kiswahili (speaking, reading and writing) is required.
5. Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge and experience in HIV/AIDS treatment is required. Thorough public health knowledge of current HIV/AIDS issues is required. Strong skills in the clinical management of HIV/AIDS. Comprehensive knowledge of the host government health care system and structures including familiarity with MOHSW and policies, program priorities and regulations is required. Good working knowledge of USG HIV/AIDS public health programs, strategies, methods, processes and techniques used to plan, develop, implement and evaluate results of treatment programs is required. Good working knowledge of team management techniques to plan, organize and direct multidisciplinary project teams and activities and overall administrative requirements, budgeting and fiscal management in support of contracts/cooperative agreements/grants/purchase requisitions is required. The incumbent must have a detailed understanding of the structure and functions of PEPFAR, including detailed knowledge of the agency’s role and function in support of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); PEPFAR and participating agency and USG policies, guidelines and procedures for administration of grants, contracts and cooperative agreements; and intra-agency procedures for coordination with agency headquarters and embassy management.
   
   The job holder must have a detailed and broad knowledge of the host country public health operational environment, including a detailed knowledge of the structure and operations of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense, TPDF, and other host government ministries and offices, Global Fund, the environment for health care delivery at the national, regional, district and community level. Position must have detailed knowledge of the structure and function of endemic and international NGOs providing HIV/AIDS treatment services, as well as understanding of the work and current projects of other collaborating and donor agencies with treatment programs. The job holder must have a detailed and broad knowledge of the host country public health operational environment, including a detailed knowledge of the structure and operations of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense, TPDF, and other host government ministries and offices, Global Fund, the environment for health care delivery at the national, regional, district and community level. Position must have detailed knowledge of the structure and function of endemic and international NGOs providing HIV/AIDS treatment services, as well as understanding of the work and current projects of other collaborating and donor agencies with treatment programs.
6. Skills and Abilities: Ability to analyze, understand and discuss new program design, management and implementation approaches is required. This includes the development of evaluation designs, use of reliable and valid instruments, and methods for data collection, analysis and reports. Ability to lead project teams and workgroups and to develop effective working relationships with national and international working partners is required. The incumbent will be expected to exercise considerable ingenuity and tact in applying guidelines to unique and different settings, as the work is highly complex and can be threatening to stakeholders. Considerable innovation will be required to influence other collaborative organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS treatment programs to adopt appropriate strategies for their program activities. Intermediate user level of word processing, spreadsheets and databases is required. Strong skills with interpretation of program monitoring and evaluation of data are required. Strong oral and written communication skills are required. Ability to analyze, understand and discuss new program initiatives/projects. 
   
   The incumbent communicates with all levels of internal staff, including low level staff for program operations, making travel arrangements, processing travel claims, editing and routing of routine reports, and calendar coordination. Job holder provides guidance and direction to subordinate program officers in providing oversight of treatment activities and communicates regularly with other program officers to coordinate activities with other program elements such as lab support, PMTCT, etc. The incumbent communicates regularly with senior agency staff regarding implementation strategies, policy changes, program evaluation, and host government and partner collaborations. High frequency routine transmission of information. The position requires well developed oral communication skills to effectively communicate routine information regarding methodologies and procedures for implementing best practices in program activities. This includes communication for training purposes. --Tact and diplomacy consistent with the local culture is required to establish and maintain effective liaisons with partner organizations and senior MOH and TPDF officials and implementing staff at all levels. --Complex explanations are required for communicating analyses of complicated data collected and for providing training on complicated public health aspects of the program. --Influencing and persuading skills are needed in convincing host government officials in establishing policies and procedures that are consistent with best practices in implementing HIV/AIDS treatment protocols, addressing issues impacting HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention of medical transmission of HIV and injection safety programs. Represents the USG in specialized treatment areas. --Interviewing skills are required for data collection, obtaining necessary information on progress and programs affecting partners, providing monthly and quarterly updates. Job holder also conducts employment interviews in coordination with other office staff on an occasional basis. --The incumbent must also be able to give oral presentations in a formal setting with results of program activities. Job holder is also required to present briefings from operational research findings in national, regional, and international conferences and meetings. --Demonstration of care and compassion in oral communications is also required when dealing with staff and (more rarely) patients involved in sensitive issues associated with the delivery of HIV/AIDS treatment services. --The position requires leadership in oral skills for developing and maintaining effective working relationships with the MOH, TPDF and implementing partners and other donor agencies in order to enhance effective cooperation and collaboration efforts from partners without resorting to coercive techniques. As the senior technical specialist, position provides leadership to other members of the office/branch/team. 
   
   External communications with low and midlevel staff of implementing partners include guidance and direction related to protocols and procedures for program implementation, reporting issues, best practices, training needs, and improving standards of program services. The incumbent communicates with senior level staff at other USG and donor agencies for coordinating treatment activities, and with senior staff at the MOH, TPDF and other implementing partners regarding policies and regulations for cooperative agreement assistance, development of work plans, and the most effective and appropriate methodologies, policies, and procedures for implementation of program activities. High frequency routine transmission of information. The position requires well developed oral communication skills to effectively communicate routine information regarding methodologies and procedures for implementing best practices in program activities. This includes communication for training purposes. --Tact and diplomacy consistent with the local culture is required to establish and maintain effective liaisons with partner organizations and senior MOH and TPDF officials and implementing staff at all levels. --Complex explanations are required for communicating analyses of complicated data collected and for providing training on complicated public health aspects of the program. --Influencing and persuading skills are needed in convincing host government officials in establishing policies and procedures that are consistent with best practices in implementing HIV/AIDS treatment protocols, addressing issues impacting HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention of medical transmission of HIV and injection safety programs. Represents the USG in specialized treatment areas. --Interviewing skills are required for data collection, obtaining necessary information on progress and programs affecting partners, providing monthly and quarterly updates. Job holder also conducts employment interviews in coordination with other office staff on an occasional basis. --The incumbent must also be able to give oral presentations in a formal setting with results of program activities. Job holder is also required to present briefings from operational research findings in national, regional, and international conferences and meetings. --Demonstration of care and compassion in oral communications is also required when dealing with staff and (more rarely) patients involved in sensitive issues associated with the delivery of HIV/AIDS treatment services. --The position requires leadership in oral skills for developing and maintaining effective working relationships with the MOH, TPDF and implementing partners and other donor agencies in order to enhance effective cooperation and collaboration efforts from partners without resorting to coercive techniques. As the senior technical specialist, position provides leadership to other members of the office/branch/team. 
   
   The position requires well-developed written skills for communication of both complex and highly complex materials. Examples of complex written documents include the development of the detailed public health aspects of the scopes of work and reporting requirements for grants/contracts/cooperative agreement program announcements; written protocols for program implementation; instructions for compiling program data and incorporating the data into reports in a standardized format; development of the annual country operational plan; and technical reports for the MOH, TPDF, PEPFAR, agency and embassy senior management, the PEPFAR core team on program progress and outputs. Highly complex documents include written manuscripts with results from program output and findings from operational research studies for publication in scientific journals or presentation at international conferences and meetings. The highly complex writings will include technical terms, data analysis and reporting skills, with recognition of the cultural sensitivities and confidentiality requirements in the preparation of such reports. The incumbent communicates with all levels of internal staff, including low level staff for program operations, making travel arrangements, processing travel claims, editing and routing of routine reports, and calendar coordination. Job holder provides guidance and direction to subordinate program officers in providing oversight of treatment activities and communicates regularly with other program officers to coordinate activities with other program elements such as lab support, PMTCT, etc. The incumbent communicates regularly with senior agency staff regarding implementation strategies, policy changes, program evaluation, and host government and partner collaborations. External communications with low and midlevel staff of implementing partners include guidance and direction related to protocols and procedures for program implementation, reporting issues, best practices, training needs, and improving standards of program services. The incumbent communicates with senior level staff at other USG and donor agencies for coordinating treatment activities, and with senior staff at the MOH, TPDF and other implementing partners regarding policies and regulations for cooperative agreement assistance, development of work plans, and the most effective and appropriate methodologies, policies, and procedures for implementation of program activities.

SELECTION PROCESS

When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and US Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application. 

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:

1. Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174). A hard copy of the application form (DS-174) is also available at the American Embassy, gate 3; or


2. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or


3. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information); plus


4. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.


5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

3A. If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE. 

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

A. Position Title
B. Position Grade
C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known) 
D. Dates Available for Work
E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
F. Date and Place of Birth
G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number) 
I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No) 
K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide 
L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type 
M. Days available to work
N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location) 
O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference 
P. Education 
Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
R. Language Skills 
S. Work Experience
T. References

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

American Embassy
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam

POINT OF CONTACT

Telephone: 229 4000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: 2294726 or 2294970

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: November 29, 2012