BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
The Biomedical Prevention (BP) Public Health Specialist works under the direction of the CDC Prevention Team Lead serving as key Public Health Advisor on all programmatic aspects of Biomedical Prevention (BP) within the CDC Tanzania office. The major focus of the position are oversight of the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs in the areas of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) & Injection Safety (IS), Medical Male Circumcision (MMC), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and other emerging Biomedical Prevention interventions.
The job holder’s responsibilities include day-to-day program and administrative management, and coordination and collaboration with other PEPFAR agencies to ensure that project implementation addresses program strategic objectives, and internationally recognized public health standards and best practices.
This oversight and management role requires public health expertise, technical knowledge and skills, capacity to conduct results-oriented program analysis, and constant and clear communication with the Government of Tanzania (GoT) and other implementing partners.
Close collaboration with numerous government and Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) will be required, including:
The MOHSW Environmental Health Unit (EHU)
The MOHSW Pharmaceuticals Supplies Unit (PSU)
The Medical Stores Department (MSD)
The MOHSW Department for Preventive Medicine
The National AIDS Control Program (NACP) for Tanzania mainland, including the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Unit
The Zanzibar AIDS Control Program for Zanzibar
The Tanzania AIDS Commissions (TACAIDS)
In addition, implementing partners directly involved in biomedical prevention and supervised by the jobholder include:
Bugando Medical Center (BMC)
Jhpiego / John Hopkins University (JHU)
ICAP / Columbia University
IntraHealth
and other clinical service partners requiring support for improved integration of biomedical prevention into health facility-based and/or other types of services. The jobholder will also be responsible for close collaboration with multi-lateral donor agencies involved in support for biomedical prevention, including the maintenance of close ties with the Tanzania World Health Organization technical staff.
He/she will serve as Biomedical Prevention Activity Manager for to-date eight CDC-supported cooperative agreements in Tanzania and a budget of around US$ 5,500,000. With rapid roll-out of urgently needed Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) services and the rapidly evolving and new scientific evidence in the area of biomedical prevention, budget shifts will likely lead to an increased allocation of funds to this program area over the coming years.
The incumbent will collaborate with senior national leadership to support advocacy for and education about these programs; and serves as a primary contributor to the planning, development, and review of Biomedical Prevention components of the annual Country Operational Plan (COP) for Tanzania, identifying and strengthening linkages with other PEPFAR and GHI –supported program areas and services. He/she will monitor and evaluate progress of both specific projects as well as national level service expansion. He/she will identify technical, personnel, logistical, and financial problems and ensure appropriate program improvements are made, and potential hurdles or bottle necks affecting program implementation or roll-out are overcome in a timely and appropriate manner. The job holder will participate in National Fora and working groups represent CDC Tanzania and serve as technical expert for Biomedical Prevention within these groups. As such he/she will participate in technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and other donor agencies. He/she will identify capacity building and training needs and participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of training and mentorship for partner organizations.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Responsibilities and Program Management
70%
The jobholder will ensure CDC Tanzania supported biomedical prevention programs at multiple delivery sites conform to GoT, US Government (USG) and CDC Tanzania strategies, policies and guidelines. He/she will oversee and direct the support for the following biomedical prevention areas:
Infection Prevention and Control & Injection safety (IPC-IS): Oversight spans across a variety of activities including development and review of national policies and guidelines, IPC-IS trainings, design and establishment of an adequate and safe medical waste management system currently lacking or deficient, the improved implementation of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for occupational and non-occupational exposures, improved integration of IPC-IS across all clinical services, advocacy and support provided to GoT for additional fundraising and diversification of funding support for this areas, improved distribution and monitoring of IPC-IS supplies, safety of medical procedures in general, behavior change communications for health care workers and communities at large. The incumbent will also support implementation of an assessment and pilots conducted in three major hospitals in Tanzania, to develop intervention models that will help reduce Occupational Risks and Exposure for health care workers.
Medical Male Circumcision (MMC): The jobholder will play a key role in coordinating rapid MMC service expansion in collaboration with GoT counterparts and other USG interagency colleagues. USG overall currently supports MMC roll-out in 7 regions, of which CDC directly supports three regions and services for fishermen and high risk population on Lake Victoria islands and the lake shore. A variety of MMC modalities have been put into place and require further strengthening and expansion, including MMC at health facility level, through temporary fixed structures as well as mobile tents. The incumbent will oversee new partners and establishment of quality MMC services at new sites. This will include frequent travel to remote areas including hard to reach Lake Victoria islands (up to 8 hours by boat). He/she will participate in both internal and external Quality Assurance assessments and improvements for MMC services. He/she will ensuring all MMC services deliver the minimum package of: HIV testing and counseling, active exclusion of symptomatic STIs and syndromic management, pre- and post-operative sexual risk reduction counseling, provision and promotion of correct and consistent condom use, circumcision surgery in accordance with national standards and international guidance. The incumbent will also participate in relevant MMC research and studies exploring potential service improvements and testing feasibility of new development for MMC service delivery.
Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): The job holder will support strengthening of linkages between HIV/AIDS program and services with the MoHSW STI program, ensure STI control and prevention is included in key HIV/AIDS policies and guidelines as well as HIV/AIDS care and prevention integrated in relevant national STI program documents. He/she will help enhance provision and integration of STI services for key populations such as People Living with HIV (PLHIV), Sex Workers, People Who Use or Inject Drugs and Men who have Sex with Men. He will supervise the implementation of an evaluation of STI services for PLHIV in care and treatment clinics (CTCs) in Kagera region. He/she will support innovate and improved efforts for STI and HIV partner notification as well as STI care seeking behavior.
In addition to leading the above key technical areas the BP Public Health Specialist will closely follow new and evolving evidence. Examples of emerging interventions in the area of Biomedical Prevention include:
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Promising results of microbicide trials have been observed in 2010 and results from additional studies are expected over the coming year. Findings so far suggest that selected microbicides may be recommended for use in pilot programs targeting key high-risk populations. The job holder will be responsible for keeping abreast of ongoing research and guiding potential future introduction of PrEP into Tanzanian programs.
Treatment-Centered Prevention: Results from a randomized control trial published in 2011 have shown a reduction in HIV transmission of 96% among discordant couples. Smaller scale pilots and evaluations are being built into the Tanzania PEPFAR portfolio, and the job holder will assist with the development and monitoring of these activities.
Combination Prevention: Implementation and evaluation of packages of prevention interventions, also called Combination Prevention are among the priorities of the CDC Tanzania prevention program, A first evaluation protocol is in the final stages of development and other evaluations including biomedical components are planned. The BP Public Health Specialist will play a key role in the monitoring of these evaluations.
As a Biomedical Prevention (BP) expert and advisor in HIV prevention, the incumbent will take an active role in developing specific program goals and objectives for BP initiatives. He/she will prepare directives, memoranda, policies and proposals for key BP initiatives and activities.
The job holder will work closely with senior and mid-level GoT staff from a large and diverse number of programs and departments within the MOHSW (about 8), WHO, Global Fund, international and national organizations (over 4) listed above.
The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the BP portfolio. He/she will be involved, in collaboration with Strategic Information experts and selected partner agencies in at least four major evaluations (STI management for PLHIV, feasibility assessment for neonatal circumcision, BP component of combination prevention, and Occupational Exposure/PEP). More evaluations in this area are likely to be proposed and initiated over the next years. The job holder will ensure that all biomedical prevention programmatic activities and study protocols meet human subject requirements and are submitted for ethical review with the appropriate agencies and authorities prior to implementation.
In liaison with the Strategic Information unit/advisors the jobholder will develop program evaluation strategies, methodologies and indicators for monitoring BP programs and activities in accordance with standard guidelines and protocols. He/she will ensure that appropriate data management systems to monitor health objectives and indicators for biomedical prevention programs are in place and takes responsibility for the management of these systems within the Prevention Team. He/she will provide advice and recommendations to the prevention team lead and other colleagues in interpreting BP program data and outcomes from or related to biomedical prevention activities.
The incumbent will lead site assessments and supervision visits of PEPFAR-supported biomedical prevention programs carried out by implementing partners. For this purpose he/she will have to extensively travel within the country including site visits to services in remote rural areas and remote islands on Lake Victoria (up to 8 hours boat travel).
He/she will prepares regular and frequent written reports for the Prevention Team Lead, CDC Directors, inter-agency PEPFAR teams and working groups on the progress of PEPFAR-supported biomedical prevention program activities.
The job holder provides updated technical information to staff and partners as it becomes available. He/she will participate in training and mentorship for various target audiences on how to implement, monitor and evaluate biomedical prevention programs, use monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data and report progress to key stakeholders.
Administrative Management
15%
The incumbent will serve as Activity Manager (or functional Cognizant Technical Officer) for eight CDC-supported cooperative agreements (CoAg) in Tanzania and a budget of around US$ 5,500,000. As mentioned above the investments in biomedical prevention will likely increase over the coming years. The incumbent will develop new Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA), review applications, supplemental awards, and requests for extension. Once the cooperative agreements and contracts are in place, he/she will oversee the performance of cooperating partners and contractors, carry out technical reviews, reviews progress, identify potential issues and informs supervisor, recommending actions for improvements.
The job holder will provide technical direction for and evaluation of grants, contracts and/or cooperative agreement proposals for BP programs. He/she will work with the CDC HQ Procurement and Grants Office (PGO), the in-country CoAg Specialists as well as partner representatives, to ensure that the most current BP strategies and protocols are included in the signed grant, contract or cooperative agreement.
Job holder provides technical advice and direction to grantees, program collaborators and contractors on management and implementation of grants, contracts and/or cooperative agreements. This ensures consistency with PEPFAR policies and guidance. He will oversee CDC-supported partners in the development of workplans and budgets for implementation of activities following grant/contract/cooperative agreement awards.
The incumbent will be responsible for providing oversight and monitoring of the budgets allocated to biomedical prevention cooperative agreement implementing partners. This includes reviewing budget requests for appropriateness, monitoring use of funds for adherence to workplans, quarterly pipeline reviews and budget status reports, following up on irregular findings, and providing advice for realignments and/or redirection of budgets.
The job holder will maintain BP files and records up-to-date. He/she will be responsible for data integrity and security of information. Program files include reports, meeting summaries and minutes, copies of all grants/cooperative agreements/contracts, research determinations, panels, and awards. Whenever possible these records will be filed electronically and entered into the existing USG electronic databases and systems.
The job holder will prepare regular and ad hoc progress reports on PEPFAR partner activities related to biomedical prevention projects and activities. Readers of these reports include agency and post management, other agency PEPFAR officials, U.S. headquarters offices and are ultimately used in reports to the U.S. Congress. Reporting responsibilities are monthly, quarterly and annually.
He/she will be invited to present briefings for Congressional and Executive delegations, VIP visitors, and participates in making arrangements for BP program visits.
Interagency Coordination
15%
As an expert on matters pertaining to biomedical prevention, the job holder will represent USG and CDC Tanzania at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. He/she will brief agency officials and PEPFAR country team members on the results of such meetings and prepares written reports for submission to the Directors and his/her supervisors.
The job holder represents the agency in discussing and developing financial commitment targets for biomedical prevention programs at administrative and strategic planning meetings. This includes all USG PEPFAR implementing agencies (Departments of State, Defense, Peace Corps, Health [including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration], and USAID).
The job holder serves as rotating chair or vice-chair of the Biomedical Prevention inter-agency technical team and helps to ensure effective coordination of workplans, implementation strategies, and evaluation plans for all USG agencies are in place.
Incumbent represents the Prevention Team and PEPFAR team on national committees for biomedical prevention issues. The purpose of such committees is to assess program needs and issues at the in-country level and communicate these needs/issues. The committees help to ensure consistency in the implementation of best practices for biomedical prevention activities on a national level. Based on information received in the national committees, the job holder will guide revisions to the GoT, GHI and PEPFAR team program policies and guidelines for biomedical prevention programs.
He/she will serve as the primary liaison between the in-country technical working group (TWG) on biomedical prevention issues and the HQ-based TWGs.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.
Education: Graduation from an accredited university with a medical degree or related relevant field is required.
Prior experience: A minimum of 4-5 years of work experience in HIV or public health program activities including some experience in the area of biomedical prevention is required.
Language proficiency: Level IV (fluent) in English and Kiswahili (speaking, writing and reading) required.
Knowledge: An in-depth knowledge of a range of prevention programs and interventions, in particular biomedical prevention is required. Detailed knowledge of the host government health care system and structures, including familiarity with GoT policies, program priorities and regulations is required. Good working knowledge of team management techniques to plan, organize and direct multi-disciplinary project teams and activities is required.
Skills and Abilities: Excellent oral and written communications skills to develop and maintain effective, sustainable working relationships with national and international partners are required. The ability to lead results-driven project teams and workgroups is required. Ability to analyze, understand and discuss new program design, management and implementation approaches is required. This includes the development of evaluation designs, use of reliable and valid instruments, and methods for data collection, analysis and reports. The incumbent will be expected to exercise considerable ingenuity and tact in applying guidelines to unique and different settings, as the work is highly complex. Considerable innovation will be required to influence other collaborative organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention programs to adopt appropriate strategies for integration of biomedical prevention into their program activities. Intermediate user level of word processing, spreadsheets and databases is required. Strong skills in interpretation of program monitoring and evaluation data are required. Numerical skills for data analysis are required.
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
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:
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
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
A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information); plus
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.
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: 2294000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: 2294726 or 2294970
The US Mission in Tanzania provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.
The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: March 15, 2012
American embassy - Public Health Specialist (Biomedical Prevention)
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