Senior Tuberculosis and Global Fund Grant Adviser Full Time

SUSTAINING TECHNICAL AND ANALYTIC RESOURCES

FELLOWSHIP TITLE: Senior Tuberculosis and Global Fund Grant Adviser

HOST ORGANIZATION: Ministry of Health, National TB Program Office

LOCATION: Lusaka, Zambia

POSITION LEVEL: Senior Technical Advisor

STAR-P3-131

TRAVEL: 25% estimated travel

STAR PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Sustaining Technical and Analytic Resources (STAR) is a project of the Public Health Institute (PHI) in partnership with the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). STAR is a Global Health talent hub. Through fellowships, internships, and strategic partnerships, STAR supports building the capacity of diverse global health professionals and organizations at all levels to make inclusive, collaborative, and innovative contributions to global health. STAR participants collaborate in the development of systems and tools that strengthen and sustain the local and global health response. https://www.ghstar.org/ Sign up with our listserv.

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

The STAR Fellowship is a two-year global health and learning opportunity with:

·       Individualized, tailored support to enhance the fellow’s achievement personal and professional goals

·       Personalized learning plans and access to learning resources (courses, conferences, mentoring) based on fellow’s learning style and preferences.

·       Access to broad professional networks to enhance peer learning and knowledge sharing.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Background: 

USAID is a leader in the global fight against tuberculosis (TB) and supports anti-TB efforts in high burden TB countries. STAR Fellowship is a key component of the USAID Administrator’s TB Accelerator initiative that aims to reach the UN General Assembly TB Declaration targets as well as to build the capacity and commitment of the host governments to ensure TB self-reliance through evidence-based TB programs.  
Introduction: 

The Senior Tuberculosis and Global Fund Grant Adviser (Senior Adviser) shall provide state-of-the-art technical expertise to improve capacity of the National TB Program (NTP) to effectively implement Global Fund (GF) grants as well as support NTP in the implementation and scale up of TB, DR-TB and pediatric TB activities. The Senior Advisor will identify programmatic bottlenecks and facilitate solutions through coordinated technical assistance and assist Zambia to leverage additional resources for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Reporting structure:

The Senior Advisor will work in close collaboration with the USAID/Zambia and USAID/Washington TB Team and will receive technical direction from the NTP Manager, who will serve as his/her Point of Contact.

Essential Duties and Outcomes:

Improve technical support to NTP in the implementation of GF Grant: 

·       Provide technical assistance (TA) to develop and critically review the GF grant annual work plan and budgets, with particular emphasis on any needs for reprogramming to meet GF targets.

·       Consult with existing stakeholders on needed TA to effectively implement the TB GF grant.

·       Support monitoring of grant implementation through field visits.

·       Review and analyze performance reports submitted to the GF and other partners.

·       Pro-actively identify any issues that may lead to disbursement delays and support any follow-up actions on grant conditions/precedents.

·       Coordinate with NTP Senior M&E Advisor to implement monitoring tools and dashboards for reaching programmatic indicators, including routine analysis of performance (GF, WHO and national indicators).

·       Support organization of routine discussions among the GF, NTP, and USAID to ensure alignment of technical approaches in the respective TB portfolios.

Improve support to NTP in the implementation and scale up of priority TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment activities:

·       Support NTP in scale up of quality diagnostic network, including GeneXpert, DST and specimen transport.

·       Support NTP to improve TB, DR-TB and pediatric TB case finding, including implementation of new and innovative approaches improve TB screening and diagnosis.

·       Assist NTP in preparation for introduction of new drugs and regimens in the country, with a focus on clinical management, training, and care delivery.

·       In collaboration with the NTP and implementing partners, identify programmatic bottlenecks, identify technical assistance needs and communicate priority needs to USAID/Zambia and USAID/W to facilitate access to TA resources.

·       Identify programmatic gaps which may require additional technical assistance through collaboration with NTP and partners.

Enhance coordination and liaison with USAID, GF, other donors and international partners on planning and provision of needed TA:

·       Provide targeted technical assistance to the NTP to enhance financial management systems and processes for managing funds accountably and effectively.

·       Contribute to improving overall M&E systems, by assisting NTP to improve data quality assurance mechanisms, effective supportive supervision and use of digital solutions.

·       Provide guidance in developing quarterly and annual programmatic narrative reports.

·       Provide guidance to NTP for the coordination of TB activities among program partners.

·       Support NTP to liaise with domestic and international partners.

·       Support NTP to organize regular (at least quarterly) partners meetings.

Anticipated learning outcomes: approximate 10% time

·       Cultivate mentorship skills based on the STAR GH mentorship curriculum to more effectively support and improve knowledge transfer and skills acquisition of staff, incoming fellows and interns.

·       Advance leadership skills to successful support capacity building and knowledge sharing activities, and mentor develop junior staff.

·       Apply leadership skills and technical expertise to support programmatic growth and scale up within TB programming.                      

FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Required:

·       Advanced degree (Masters, PhD, or MD) in a health-related field required.

·       Minimum 13 years of relevant technical experience with master’s degree or a minimum of 15 years of relevant technical experience with bachelor’s degree. 

·       At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and managing TB in developing countries, with a preference given to candidates with African experience.

·       Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, strategic planning, policy experience and problem-solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment are required.

·       Demonstrated technical capacity in financial management required.

·       At least five years of experience with or good knowledge of Global Fund operating procedures and financial management processes (proposal development and submission, monitoring and evaluation, PSM plan and reporting).

·       Ability to work effectively with a broad range of Zambian and USG personnel and partners, and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration.

·       Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters is a must.

·       Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.

·       Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both orally and in writing — in English essential.

·       Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations. Verbal communication skills are also used to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members. Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.

·       Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, Access, SPSS and other statistical and other relevant software). are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements.

Additional skills (preferred)

·       Experience with USAID-funded public health programs preferred.

TO APPLY:

To apply to this position, please send your CV/resume and separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, to recruitment@ghstar.org. All applications must be submitted by XXX, 2020 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.