HIV/Family Planning Programming and Policy Advisor

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual work planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.

BACKGROUND:

The US Government’s (USG) engagement to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS is a top priority worldwide. The USG response includes coordination among USAID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense, Peace Corps, and other agencies. This initiative is collectively known as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and is coordinated through the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) at the Department of State. USAID has been at the forefront of the USG’s response to provide quality HIV/AIDS services to over one hundred countries to mitigate the health crisis that threatens the prosperity, stability and development of these nations.

INTRODUCTION:

The HIV/Family Planning (FP) Programming and Policy Advisor (Advisor) will serve as a member of the Youth and Integration Team in the Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) Implementation Support Division and will play a critical role in coordinating legislative and policy responses and initiatives for the Office. S/he will help to ensure that these responses and initiatives are coherent, technically well informed, consistent with the laws, policies, and norms guiding the Agency and the Office, and appropriate to the integration of HIV and FP/reproductive health (RH) (FP/HIV) and in developing countries. The HIV/FP Programming and Policy Advisor will also provide programmatic technical assistance and support in the area of integration and will build and maintain a wide range of relationships and networks both inside and outside the Agency, which are essential to achieving policy and programmatic consensus and creating a supportive environment for USAID’s HIV/AIDS and FP/HIV programs. The Advisor will receive technical guidance from the Youth and Integration Team Lead and the Implementation Support Division Chief will serve as his/her onsite manager.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The HIV/FP Programming and Policy Advisor will be responsible for:

Internal Policy Analysis, Coordination, and Guidance (45%)

• Coordinating USAID and OHA legislative and policy activities related to HIV and the integration of FP/HIV, to include:
• Coordinating responses to new and ongoing legislative and political issues and policy related inquiries from Congress, external organizations and other parts of the government, including OGAC, by working with Bureau for Global Health (GH) leadership, the Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH), the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA), Office of the General Counsel (GC), the Bureau for Policy, Planning, and Learning (PPL), and other technical colleagues within USAID as necessary.
• Contributing to Agency and USG policy statements and guidance documents for HIV/AIDS and FP/HIV assistance, working closely with relevant USAID counterpart staff, regional bureaus, and counterparts in other USG agencies as needed.
• Participating in interagency discussions and working groups related to the integration of HIV/AIDS and FP activities. Reviewing internal program documents and USAID-supported technical reports for consistency with Agency and USG policies and programmatic priorities.
• In line with Agency policy and program priorities, staying current with global policies affecting access to voluntary FP, and programmatic models and best practices for improving access to HIV/AIDS and family planning information, services, and commodities including integration with other health topics and development sectors.
• Participating on an intra-agency, multi-disciplinary team of technical and legal colleagues that provides assistance to USAID headquarters and mission staff to maintain compliance with HIV/AIDS and FP/HIV integrated programming and implementing programmatic practices that promote voluntarism and informed choice of FP.
• Assisting OHA and USAID missions to develop and implement systems for routine program monitoring, and coordinating compliance with HIV/AIDS, abortion, and voluntarism and informed choice legislative and policy requirements that guide US foreign assistance. Organizing, leading and conducting regular internal and external trainings and briefings on the USG HIV/AIDS, abortion, and voluntarism and informed choice requirements.

Interagency Policy Coordination and External Policy Communications (28%)

• Serving as principal day-to-day liaison with OGAC and other USG counterparts on matters related to USG HIV/AIDS and FP/HIV policy; working with State Department and PRH colleagues on USG participation and support for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, annual UN meetings such as the Commission on Population and Development and the Commission on the Status of Women, and other UN initiatives that include FP/RH components.
• Participating on the PEPFAR FP/HIV Integration Task Force and serving as the primary liaison on FP/HIV policy issues, and collaborating with interagency colleagues to provide compliance guidance to FP/HIV programs.
• Collaborating on an inter-office team that implements strategic and technical collaborations on HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination programs. Liaising with human rights staff and programming in the office, at OGAC, other USG agencies, and relevant stakeholders on stigma and discrimination activities.
• Participating in external meetings and presenting on USAID HIV/AIDS and FP/HIV policy and program priorities. Responding to and coordinating Freedom of Information Act requests and Office of the Inspector General program audits.
• Contributing to and providing backstopping in other selected areas in line with special interests or areas of expertise, such as individual countries, technical working groups, multilateral agencies, or coordination with other donors.
• Contributing to the development and/or review of multilateral, bilateral, and private partnership program and finance mechanisms to ensure consistency with Administration global health goals related to FP/HIV integration.
• Serving as point of contact for Counter-Trafficking in Persons Working Group from the HIV policy perspective.

Programmatic and Technical Support (20%)

• In collaboration with the OHA and PRH Senior FP/HIV Integration Advisors, serving as a technical resource on FP/HIV integration.
• Providing technical programmatic guidance, monitoring and measuring the outcomes of integrated USAID activities and monitoring their adherence to USG legislative compliance.
• Disseminating FP/HIV programmatic and policy guidance throughout the Agency; coordinating execution with USAID missions, host governments and partners.
• Providing technical assistance as needed to USAID and USG field teams.
• Serving as activity manager/technical advisor for OHA centrally-funded FP/HIV integration activities.
• Providing guidance on the development of systems, tools and resources to ensure that USAID programs are in compliance with USG principles of voluntarism and informed choice in both HIV and FP/HIV service delivery.
• Contributing to GH Bureau and OGAC efforts to formulate positions on research issues, and present to Congress and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Responding to information requests from Agency leadership and others (OGAC, etc) on USAID and USG HIV/AIDS programs, technical approaches and legislative and policy compliance requirements.

International travel approximately 20-30%.

Training and professional development (7%)

• Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments in the fields of HIV/FP policy, programming and planning, as well as US and international efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
• Deepening knowledge of HIV/FP policy, programming and planning.
• Participating in interagency and intra-agency working groups as appropriate to the scope of work.
• Participating in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or higher in public health or a related social science field.
• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in HIV/AIDS and/or FP/HIV programming, with at least two (2) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
• Knowledge of the laws and policies that guide USG work in international HIV and family planning, and familiarity with key actors and current issues in policy and program implementation affecting USAID’s HIV programs in developing countries preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with current issues in policy and program implementation affecting USAID’s FP/RH programs in developing countries preferred.
• Ability to translate legal, policy, and technical information to non-technical audiences, and negotiate sensitive issues with diverse audiences.
• Public speaking and adult training experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including the development of concise reports, high-quality presentations and other communication materials with graphics, and talking points for persons in leadership positions.
• Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environments, working in teams, and operating effectively under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with donors, other partners and host country officials in a cross-cultural environment.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and proven ability to work in teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, coordinate and implement work inputs from several sources and partners, and manage the simultaneous delivery of multiple outputs.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.

HOW TO APPLY:

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system athttps://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 December 14, 2015 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer.