Technical Advisor Level IV:  Senior Advisor for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

Maternal and Child Health Division, Office of Health, Infectious Disease, and Nutrition, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Location: Washington, DC

Assignment: 2 year fellowship

GHFP-09-135

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 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:

The Maternal and Child Health Division (MCH) within USAID’s Office of Health, Infectious Disease, and Nutrition (HIDN) of the Bureau for Global Health (GH) works closely with USAID Missions and international partners to: advocate for investments in improving maternal and child health, with a focus on the major causes of mortality and associated morbidity; introduce innovative cost-effective interventions to address these issues ; and leverage human, technical, financial resources to help countries improve their capacity to deliver such lifesaving interventions.

The Senior Advisor for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (Senior Advisor) will provide technical assistance to the GH/HIDN/MCH Division and to USAID field Missions on programmatic approaches to increase the uptake, use, and impact of key interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality. The focus of this position will be child health, working closely with the existing child health team in the Division, the MCH Element co-Head for Child Survival, and the MCH Division Chief, and complementing the work of existing teams in maternal and newborn health, immunization, and environmental health. The Senior Advisor must have the capacity and interest to promote and program integrated approaches to maternal, newborn, and child health, including the roles of family planning, consistent with overall strategic approach to MCH articulated in 2008 (see http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/mch/publications/mch_report.html) and the Division’s Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP).

As an active member of the USAID MCH Element Team, the Senior Advisor will contribute to the overall development of MCH strategies and activities and, in particular, setting child health priorities. A substantial portion of the Senior Advisor’s effort will be devoted to program development and support in the MCH focus countries, currently numbering 30: 17 in the sub-Saharan Africa; 9 in Asia; 3 in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 1 in Europe and Eurasia.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

As a key member of the MCH Division, the Senior Advisor will:

General MCH and Public Health Technical Support (50%)

• Contribute technical and program child health expertise and experience to the planning, updating, and implementation of GH Bureau’s MCH programs, research, and policy development activities

• Be engaged in and contribute expertise in priority technical areas of GH’s maternal and child health technical and program activities, with an emphasis on high-impact child health interventions

• In coordination with other MCH Division staff, present GH/HIDN’s views at international, regional, and national-level MCH fora, identifying connections with other MCH programs and shaping a coordinated response (e.g., the Catalytic Initiative)

• Participate in strategic planning and resource allocation activities for GH’s MCH Element programs

• Stay current and share new knowledge on state-of-the art technical, policy, and programmatic developments in MCH, with an emphasis on new developments in child health

MCH Country Program Support (50%)

• Provide MCH expertise in design of new program activities (for GH, regional bureaus, or field missions) and participate in design committees and competitive reviews, as appropriate

• Join country teams and participate in country program reviews and action plans provide technical comments and suggestions on the MCH component

• Provide technical support to USAID missions in selected MCH priority countries and assist in developing MCH programmatic approaches

• Participate in technical assistance and evaluation trips to USAID missions and country programs

• Provide technical and program oversight on MCH activities supported by GH cooperating agencies, including the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in a maternal and child health related aspect of health science or international public health

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in international health programs, preferably with a focus on maternal and child health programs in developing countries, with at least five years’ experience on-the-ground programs in developing countries; Africa experience preferred

• Experience working with USAID and/or USAID-supported health programs is strongly desirable

• Documented effectiveness in health program planning and development

• Effectiveness in working collaboratively with staff of USAID missions, other US Government agencies, developing country governments and organizations, and other international organizations

• Strong ability to work independently and assume a leadership role in policy and program activities

• Excellent technical writing skills

• Willingness/ability to travel internationally to developing country program sites at least 25 percent of time

• 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.

TO APPLY:

Visit the Recruitment section of our website at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/

All candidates are required to apply through GHFP’s online recruitment system, 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 April 30, 2009.

Program: HIV Prevention Services

Organization: The Women’s Collective

Job Summary: The Prevention Program Director is responsible for the overall direction of all HIV prevention services including implementing, monitoring and evaluation. The PPD will work directly with team members from several programs to ensure quality programming for women living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS, their partner(s) and self-defined family members. The PPD carries out all appropriate tasks related to the management and provision of quality prevention programming while ensuring team members are supported through training and team development that will enhance their knowledge and skills.

The Prevention Program Director reports directly to the Founder/Executive Director and also receives supervision from the Director of Development. This position is based at our office at 1436 U Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities by Function:

Administration and Management:

- Ensure appropriate implementation of prevention services, including but not limited to HIV counseling, testing, and referral services (CTR); primary and secondary health education/risk reduction (HE/RR) activities; outreach and peer education; among others.

- Monitor program budgets and work plans on a monthly basis with program coordinators and Development Director

- Conduct weekly or monthly team meetings, as appropriate, to monitor program progress and outcomes, address staff and program challenges, facilitate program planning, and ensure organization and communication within each prevention program

- Ensure appropriate development, implementation and adherence to program protocols by staff

- Manage finalization of revised CTR, Prevention with Positives, and SisterAct program manuals, working jointly with Program Coordinators, Project Officers, and Development Director

- Provide leadership in advancing or exploring new growth and development as it relates to the overall HIV Prevention Services department as well as that of the agency as a whole

- Hire, orient and provide direct supervision to HIV prevention team members, volunteers and interns including conducting and/or coordinating 3-month probationary and annual evaluations of all prevention staff.

- Liaise with project officers and funders to address program growth, challenges, and planning, as needed and appropriate, and coordinate and participate in all site-visits.

- Oversee professional organization, maintenance and updating of hard copy and electronic program and staff files.

- Facilitate dissemination of program successes by organizing and implementing community-wide events, with collaboration of private and public partners

- Facilitate participation of prevention staff in local, national and international conferences by reviewing and contributing to conference abstracts and other program materials

- Work jointly with Program Coordinators to liaise with community partners to build collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships

- Contribute to researching funding opportunities and writing of prevention and general program grants under direction of Development Director

- Keep flexible hours for program activities to include weekends and evenings as defined by the Founder/Executive Director

- Participate in all staff meetings and prevention meetings as scheduled

- Keep supervisors informed of all problems, challenges, and conflicts related to the job

- Participate in all required training and educational sessions required by funding agencies, as appropriate

- Perform other duties as assigned

Capacity Building and Training:

- Ensure clear, accurate, and up-to-date documentation and data entry into data collection systems for all program activities in an ethical and confidential manner.

- Conduct ongoing prevention team training and development needs assessments to ensure staff capacity to carry out program activities and organize and implement in-house trainings, as appropriate, or guarantee that training needs are met by liaising with project officers and community partners

- Conduct CTR as needed, under guidance of Rapid Testing Program Coordinator

Evaluation and Reporting:

- Oversee HIV prevention programming by monitoring all prevention program requirements including work plans, scope of service charts, evaluation activities, and quality assurance activities, among others

- Provide secondary quality assurance oversight to Program Coordinators on a weekly or monthly basis, as appropriate

- Oversee and contribute to program monitoring including monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting, data collection, and process and outcome evaluations

- Work jointly with Rapid Testing Program Coordinator, Development Director, and external consultants to oversee the review of CTR electronic data system and implementation of recommended improvements

- Work jointly with Program Coordinators and external consultants to oversee curricula review and toolkit development for health education/risk reduction prevention programs

Qualifications and Characteristics:

- Commitment to the mission: Passion for the mission of The Women’s Collective, including strong commitment to working for and with girls, women and families. Substantial experience working directly with similar HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

- Program management: Ability to develop, monitor and adhere to well-defined and workable project plans. A proven track record of achieving objectives and strong organizational and management skills are required. Ability to work with program budgets is helpful.

- Communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to work fluidly with staff many of whom are women living with HIV/AIDS. Must be able to work flexibly to deal with different cultural norms, educational backgrounds, and professional skills. Ability to engage staff and clients in a non-condescending and empowering way. Have strong conflict resolution skills. Be highly motivated, detail-oriented with exemplary communications and computer skills. Should enjoy working in a fast-paced and often changing environment.

- Writing and analytical skills: Superb writing skills and the ability to assemble, distill and analyze all necessary information for decision-making, reporting and presentations. Understanding of CDC effective interventions, counseling, testing and referral, and program evaluation and monitoring  system (PEMS) helpful.

- Personal qualities: Personal qualities including high energy, diplomacy, sound practical judgment, the ability to work independently without supervision; the ability to work effectively in a busy office; and the interpersonal skills to work effectively in partnership with program staff, clients, community and funding partners, and agency leadership.

- Credentials: A Masters in Public Health (MPH) or equivalent degree is required. Two-four years work experience in the field of HIV/AIDS service provision, women’s health and development, and social service program management helpful.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary to commensurate with experience with a starting range of low to mid 50K. Excellent benefits that include health (including dental and eye care), life, long- and short-term disability, access to credit union and workman’s comp.

Application Submission Instructions:

Forward cover letter, resume with three professional references, salary history, and writing sample via email with ‘PPD Candidate’ in subject line to Development Director, cathleen@womenscollective.org by April 30, 2009.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

For more information about The Women’s Collective, visit: www.womenscollective.org.