Global Health Fellows Program

Technical Advisor Level III: Senior Malaria and Global Fund Advisor

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

Location: Washington, DC

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP-11-229

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 the 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 Office of Health, Infectious Disease and Nutrition (HIDN)/Infectious Disease Division (ID) of USAID’s Bureau for Global Health is charged with technical leadership for and management of programs in infectious diseases including tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and neglected tropical diseases. The Office seeks a Senior Malaria and Global Fund Advisor to focus on providing policy and strategic advice to senior leadership and the malaria and tuberculosis technical teams on issues related to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria (Global Fund).

The US Government’s (USG) President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) aims to reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality by 50% or more in up to 17 sub-Saharan African countries through rapid scale up of a package of proven malaria prevention and treatment measures: artemisinin-based combination therapy; insecticide-treated mosquito nets, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy, and indoor residual spraying. USAID is the lead USG agency for implementation of the PMI, working in close collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other USG agencies. The Initiative is results-based, focused, and requires a high-level of financial and programmatic accountability. In 2009, PMI became a component of the USG Global Health Initiative (GHI) and funding has now extended to 2013.

USAID manages an almost $250 million TB program in 40 countries. The USG TB strategy supports the objectives of the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Plan to STOP TB. As part of the GHI, the USG TB Program aims to contribute to a 50% reduction in tuberculosis deaths and disease burden from the 1990 baseline.

Both PMI and the USG TB programs are part of larger partnerships including other major donors, such as the Global Fund, multilateral organizations, such as WHO, the Roll Back Malaria and Stop TB Partnerships, and UNICEF, bilateral organizations, private sector partners, and nongovernmental organizations. As two of the major funders of malaria and TB control efforts worldwide, close collaboration and coordination between PMI, the USAID TB program and the Global Fund is critical. Additionally, the success of USG malaria and TB control efforts is greatly influenced by the performance of Global Fund grants. PMI and USAID TB program staff coordinate with the Global Fund at multiple levels, including participation at Global Fund Board meetings, as members of Technical Review Panels, and coordination with Fund Portfolio Managers and at the country level.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior Malaria and Global Fund Advisor will:

A. Provide support to PMI leadership and staff on Global Fund malaria issues (50% time)

• Provide support to the PMI Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator on malaria and general health policy issues related to the Global Fund, including identifying bottlenecks and potential issues of concern and developing policy positions, papers, etc.
• Work with PMI team members in USAID, CDC, and the field to facilitate engagement with the Global Fund and pass implementation issues to the Global Fund Core Group
• Conduct analyses of Global Fund malaria grants and keep the PMI team informed about changes in Global Fund policies and procedures, as well as the performance of Global Fund malaria grants in PMI countries
• Participate in the USG Global Fund Reform Working Group, led by the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator
• Provide support to USAID leadership related to G8 meetings and initiatives
• Support PMI leadership in coordinating malaria control efforts with major international partners other than the Global Fund, including the World Bank, the British Department for International Development, etc.
• Provide support to PMI leadership on work with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership
• Technically manage the work of the Roll Back Malaria Sub-Regional Networks, which is financed through the Global Fund contribution of the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator. Provide guidance to the Sub-Regional Networks’ team on USG objectives with regard to the Global Fund and malaria programs for use of this funding
• As a member of the PMI team, take the lead on PMI/PEPFAR interactions, including identifying and documenting activities to foster better linkages

B. Provide programmatic and technical backstopping to one PMI Country Team (15%)

• Serve as Country Lead or Alternate on one PMI Team for a country in sub-Saharan Africa

C. Provide Global Fund technical support to the USAID TB team (35%)

• Provide support to the TB team on Global Fund-related policy issues
• Support the members of the USAID Global Fund core team on document review and strategic direction for Board documents related to TB
• Conduct analyses on Global Fund TB grants to inform policy decisions
• Prepare other documentation as needed on Global Fund issues related to TB

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 AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology or other field related to infectious diseases
• Minimum ten years’ experience in the fields of international health and/or development, with at least three to five years’ experience working in sub-Saharan Africa or a resource challenged setting
• Thorough working knowledge of Global Fund structure, policies, and procedures
• Understanding of the USG interagency structure related to the Global Fund and its pro-grams in malaria and TB
• Experience working with international partnerships on malaria and/or TB
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Excellent leadership, communications and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and international partners.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, policy experience, and problem-solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment.
• Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment
• Willingness to travel overseas
• 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/2011_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.pdf

TO APPLY

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP’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 online applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time June 30, 2011.

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