PHS- Military HIV/AIDS Treatment Advisor
Closing Date of The Position: December 14, 2016
Vacancy Announcement Number: 16/281
OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates/ All sources
WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week
SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR): FSN- 12; (Step 1- TZS 90,260,155 through Step 13- 135,390,235 per annum)
The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Public Health Specialist – Military HIV/AIDS Treatment Advisor at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR).
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
The position is the key military to military 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 USG 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 military, Tanzania People's Defence Forces (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 staffs 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, carry out technical reviews, reviews progress, identify 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 TPDF HIV treatment program in fiscal year FY 2015 was $5.0 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 TPDF and the interagency PEPFAR working group in country on all areas related to HIV treatment.
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 TPDF 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 required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.
Education:
Doctoral level (DrPH, MD or PhD) degree in medicine, nursing, public health, epidemiology, behavioral or social sciences field is required.
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.
Language:
English Level IV (fluent) in English and Kiswahili ability is required (speaking, reading and writing). (This will be tested)
Skills and Abilities:
Ability to lead project teams and workgroups and to develop effective working relationships with national and international partners, ability to communicate well, coordinate complex activities and to represent WRAIR/PEPFAR as required is required.
Job Knowledge:
Comprehensive knowledge and experience in HIV/AIDS treatment. Thorough knowledge of public health knowledge of current HIV/AIDS issues. Strong skills in the clinical management of HIV/AIDS. Comprehensive knowledge of the host government health care system and structures including policies, program priorities and regulations. Knowledge of USG/PEPFAR, Ministry of Health, TPDF, Local Government authorities and other stakeholder structure and function is required.
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:
1. USEFM who is ALSO a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. USEFM OR a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
3. FS on LWOP**
* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process. Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.
** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.
ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:
Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
The candidate must be able to obtain the local security certification.
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.
Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources. (See “For Further Information” above);
Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. resume, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
For Tanzanian Nationals: Copy of Passport, or National ID, or Voters ID
For Other Nationals: please attach current Resident/Work Permit and copy of valid Passport.
