Public Health Specialist- Health Economist

Closing date of the position: September 19, 2013

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- Health Economist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The primary function of this position is to guide the development, implementation and dissemination of CDC/PEPFAR supported costing studies and subsequent economic evaluation by providing scientific economic technical assistance to produce high quality, high impact date with which to perform economic evaluations.  As part of this work, the incumbent will build scientific and programmatic capacity skills in the rapidly emerging field of health economics within PEPFAR/CDC Tanzania, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW),other relevant Government of Tanzania (GOT) Ministries and local partners, using a variety of techniques including formal and informal training, one to one mentorship and other training methods to ensure stronger economic science skills are developed in-country.  Furthermore the role involves enhancement of utilization of economic data for program planning and policy development through working collaboratively with program and policy makers to understand what economic information is needed and then to deliver that information in a timely, readily usable format.  The incumbent will assist with budget forecasting and use mathematical models to assist program staff with program planning.

As an expert in the development of  scientific costing models, systematic collection of economic data and the application of that data for economic evaluation, the incumbent is part of a high performing interdisciplinary team, serving on various interagency technical working groups to ensure appropriate economic analysis is available and utilized as widely as possible in programming and policy development.  The job holder will represent PEPFAR/CDC Tanzania on economic science issues across the PEPFAR program at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings with GOT and other local stakeholders. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Economic Science Portfolio Management

55%

Coordinates supports and conducts HIV/AIDS related costing studies and serves as an expert consultant on PEPFAR related health economics to the PEPFAR team in Tanzania, and to implementing partners, academic research organizations and in other appropriate venues. With rapid changes in HIV/AIDS health service delivery and related focus on improving health systems, the person serving in this position has the potential to impact program evaluation research directions, inform policy and impact programmatic outcomes.

Supports health economics studies to develop baseline costs to produce high quality, high impact data with which to perform economic evaluation, finance, as well as routine expenditure monitoring activities by developing new implementation plans, creating new or reviewing existing protocols, and providing ad hoc technical assistance, including data collection, data cleaning, and data analysis to achieve high quality outputs.

Provides effective scientific inputs to economic evaluation protocols through early engagement, clear advice, and careful review, to ensure high quality protocols which are ready for higher level review by the Associate Director of Science in CDC Tanzania.

Conducts mathematical modeling for health economics issues by systematically prioritizing questions for analysis, planning the analyses, collecting and synthesizing data to input into models, conducting rigorous sensitivity analysis and routinely quality checking models.

Encourages routine financial data analysis by providing both formal (classroom) and informal (on-the-job) training and mentorship as program staff develop analysis plans and execute economic analysis. This will build capacity to ensure high quality analysis is carried out in a timely fashion.  Sophisticated modeling and forecasting techniques will be required to enhance utility of existing economic analysis.

• Supports data analysis of financial and economic data by working alongside program staff to develop analysis plans and to execute analyses which while build capacity and ensure high quality analysis is carried out in a timely fashion.  Sophisticated modeling and forecasting techniques will be required to enhance utility of existing economic data.

• Supports effective dissemination of scientific findings including the development of scientific products, engaging with co-investigators to work on dissemination planning and products to ensure high quality, high impact, timely outputs and improved uptake of economic evaluation findings in programming and policy.  Writes and supports others to write abstracts, reports, publications and policy briefings on economic issues.

• Develops new economics research concepts where appropriate across different program areas for inclusion in the Country Operation plan through collaboration with program staff to achieve a strategic economic evaluation portfolio.
  

Program Management

30%

As an expert and advisor in public health economics and health service evaluation research issues, incumbent takes an active role in developing specific agency program goals and objectives for economic evaluation initiatives. Incumbent prepares directives, memoranda, policy statements and proposals to introduce new initiatives and to recommend effective operations consistent with strategic objectives of the PEPFAR and CDC’s economic analysis initiatives in Tanzania. The annual agency budget for HIV/AIDS program costing studies and economic analysis in FY 2013 is approximately $2,000,000.

Incumbent is responsible for providing oversight and monitoring of the budgets allocated for costing and economic analysis implementation with cooperative agreement partners within CDC Tanzania. 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, etc.

Job holder provides technical direction for proposals that result in a contract or cooperative agreement for health services economic analysis programs.  Incumbent works with independent contractors, the CDC Tanzania cooperative agreement management team, as well as partner representatives, to ensure that most current costing and analysis protocols are included in the signed contract or cooperative agreement.

The incumbent guides the implementation of economic evaluation activities by providing on-site economic technical assistance internally to USG colleagues and externally to implementing partners (e.g. MOHSW, NIMR) to ensure sound execution of economic evaluations, including support with project implementation planning (depending on the scientific need.

Ensures close collaboration with CDC Atlanta Health economics team by having regular phone meetings, email communication and hosting visits to create a close and fruitful working relationship and an economic strategy which is closely informed by CDC Atlanta’s global vision.

Builds capacity in economic analysis skills by mentoring and working alongside program staff, government and local partners on economic evaluation projects, using systematic approaches to achieve better overall science and program evaluation skills.

Identifies economic evaluation training needs through active capacity building, and works alongside Science Office colleagues to respond to these training needs to further build capacity in-country, including assisting in facilitation of economic evaluation focused training packages.

Provides additional health economics program level support as needed to the Science Office and Program areas.

Administrative Management

15%

Documents progress of Economics activities through reports, memoranda and a tracking matrix to keep the Tanzania PEPFAR Team, CDC Tanzania Senior Management and Branch Chiefs, Senior MOHSW staff and other PEPFAR agencies in Tanzania well informed.

Job holder is responsible for data integrity and security of information in the reporting databases that does or may relate to HIV/AIDS infection (particularly as related to named individuals).  Maintains careful storage of all key economics scientific documentation and data by working with CDC Tanzania colleagues to implement excellent systems for document control and filing to enable efficient and appropriate access and later disposal.

Participates in the development of the annual Country Operational Plan for areas within the incumbent’s area of expertise.

Documents progress of Economics activities through reports, memoranda and a tracking matrix to keep Senior Management and Branch Chiefs well-informed.  Provides additional Science related administrative support when required by the AD Science.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

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

1. Education: Masters in Economics or Master in Public Health or research related field with a Bachelor degree in Economics or related subject that includes at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus.
2. Prior Work Experience: At least five years of work experience in economics research studies and program evaluation.  At least two years of this must be in the development and conduct of health program costing studies and health economics evaluation. The candidate must be able to demonstrate achievements in health financing, health economics, public health economic planning, or the management and policy response to HIV and AIDS. Experience and a strong track-record in the initiation, oversight, evaluation and conduct of research, preferably with applicability to infectious diseases. Experience with health care delivery data for policy-relevant research, using quantitative methods such as multiple regression analyses and approaches for addressing confounding (e.g., instrumental variables, propensity scores), longitudinal data analyses, and multi-level modeling, is required. Extensive practical experience in leading implementation of cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses using mathematical modeling. Experience in the conduct of systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, and database analyses are required.  Experience in communicating health economic analysis to a broad audience is required. Proven experience in guideline development and writing economic reports is required.
3. Language Proficiency : Level IV English and Level I Swahili (writing, reading and speaking) are required. The incumbent must have accomplished writing and oral skills.
4. Knowledge: Knowledge of handling of human subjects issues and scientific ethics; Comprehensive knowledge of: epidemiology; research methods; cost effectiveness analysis; significant knowledge of a range of evaluative and analytical methods and techniques to support the development and implementation of costing studies to develop baselines for future economic evaluation, financial and forecasting analyses; and health economics mathematical modeling. In addition, the incumbent must have a good understanding of the cultural, economic and operational climate in Tanzania to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
5. Skills and Abilities: Advanced numerical skills with computer software programs including skill with one or more quantitative data management packages (e.g., Stata [preferred], Excel, Data/Treeage, SPSS, etc.) and with word processing, spread sheets and databases; Solid quantitative skills, including advanced level understanding of relevant methodology, calculus and statistics; ; Ability to analyse complex problems in a health services context; Ability to work on own initiative, without supervision on a day-to-day basis including ability to respond to fast pace and wide range of demands to ensure that objectives of the highest importance are delivered first; Strong oral and written communications skills are required to develop and maintain effective, sustainable working relationships with national and international working partners;  Ability to enthuse with a wide range of decision makers and program implementers, including senior healthcare professionals, about the value of health economics;. Strong leadership skills are required to lead results-driven project teams and workgroups.

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: September 19, 2013