Public Health Specialist – Care and Support

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: March 9, 2017

Vacancy Announcement Number: 17/46

OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates/ All sources

WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR): FSN- 11; (Step 1- TZS 69,422,538 through Step 13- 104,133,810 per annum)

Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP- 4*
*Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.

The “Open To” category listed above refers to candidates who are eligible to apply for this position. The “Open To” category should not be confused with a “hiring preference” which is explained later in this vacancy announcement.

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix A for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Public Health Specialist – Care and Support at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Job holder is a senior HIV/AIDS care and support project/activity manager and key public health technical advisor to the Care and Treatment branch chief. Job holder’s responsibilities include day-to-day program and administrative management, and coordination and collaboration with other PEPFAR agencies to ensure project implementation addresses program strategic objectives and internationally recognized public health standards and best practices. This management role requires public health technical leadership, results-oriented analysis, advocacy, and constant and clear communication with implementing partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and host country ministries (including the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and TACAIDS). Jobholder represents CDC/Tanzania on HIV care and support issues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Program Management
   (60%)
   
   As an expert and advisor in public health, , and health service research issues, incumbent takes an active role in developing specific agency program goals and objectives for Care and Support (C&S) initiatives. Incumbent prepares directives, memoranda, policy statements and proposals to introduce new initiatives and to recommend effective operations consistent with strategic objectives of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) . As part of management role the incumbent provide leadership and direct technical assistance to PEPFAR implementing partners and MOHSW on specific program service areas such Opportunistic Infections, Tuberculosis/HIV, Quality improvement , clinical GBV, Positive Health Dignity and Prevention (PHDP) and cervical cancer program activities. 
   
   Job holder works closely with senior and mid-level host government ministry officials, , international and non-governmental organizations to: a) facilitate outreach that raises awareness among civic and social organizations of HIV/AIDS issues and C&S programs available; and b) influence other collaborative organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS C&S programs to adopt appropriate strategies for their program activities. 
   
   Job holder provides technical direction for proposals that result in a grant, contract and/or cooperative agreement for care and support programs. Incumbent works with the agency grants and contracts office, as well as partner representatives, to ensure that most current C&S protocols are included in the signed grant, contract or cooperative agreement. 
   
   Job holder gives 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 host country policies and regulations. Participates with partners in the development of work plans for implementation of activities following grants/contracts/cooperative agreement awards. 
   
   Working closely with senior and mid-level host government staff, implementing partners, and the PEPFAR country Strategic Information focal person, the incumbent is required to follow closely all programs under his/her purview to assure that the specific objectives are achieved and/or appropriate remedial activities are instituted. In liaison with the Strategic Information focal person position develops program evaluation strategies, methodologies and indicators for monitoring HIV/AIDS care and support programs in accordance with standard guidelines and protocols. Position ensures that appropriate data management systems to monitor health objectives and indicators for HIV/AIDS C&S programs are in place and takes responsibility for the management of these systems within C&S. S/he provides advice and recommendations to the branch chief and supervisor in interpreting data on health objectives and indicators related to HIV/AIDs C&S. 
   
   Job holder monitors implementation activities and collaborates with each partner organization on a regular basis to ensure program results are achieved and all C&S programmatic activities and study protocols meet human subject requirements and pass through ethical review with the appropriate agency authority. Involvement and undertaking Public Health Evaluations (PHE) as well as Basic Program Evaluations (BPE) that fall within facility care and TBHIV portfolio. This involves regular site visits and meetings with representatives of each organization to review progress. Job holder draws attention to inadequate supported sites performance. 
   
   Incumbent provide technical assistance to site assessments of PEPFAR C&S programs carried out by implementing partners of the USG. Prepares regular and frequent oral and written reports to the Associate director of Programs, PEPFAR inter-agency technical team , Clinical strategic result unit and other interested parties on the progress of PEPFAR C&S program activities. 
   
   Job holder provides updated technical information to partners as it becomes available. Position provides practical on-the-job training for various target audiences on how to implement, monitor and evaluate HIV/AIDS C&S programs, use M&E data and report progress to key stakeholders. Job holder responds to requests from NGOs, health care organizations and medical professionals for information and technical assistance on C&S strategies for AIDS programs. 
   
   As a Care and Support Project Management Specialist/Activity Manager, job holder oversees the public health 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, oversees performance of cooperating partners/contractors, carries out technical reviews, reviews progress, identifies potential issues and informs supervisor, recommending actions for amelioration.


2. Administrative Management
   (10%)
   
   Incumbent is responsible for providing oversight and monitoring the budgets allocated to Care and Support 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. 
   
   Job holder prepares regular and ad hoc progress reports on PEPFAR care and support partner 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, quarterly, semiannual and annually. 
   
   Job holder maintains files and records in the C&S data collection specific to the activities/programs for which incumbent is responsible. 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). Other 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 reference system. 
   
   Prepares and 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. Serves as control officer for site visits for agency and inter-agency PEPFAR senior-level officials. 
   
   Exercises full supervisory responsibility for one Care and Support Public Health specialist and one TB/HIV Program Specialist. Provides work guidance to one care and support staff. Monitors and reviews the results achieved by one Care and Support – Public Health specialist and one TB/HIV Program Specialist. Has a results-oriented working relationship with 14 partners, contractors and host country employees


3. Interagency Coordination 
   (25%)
   
   As a regional and international expert on matters pertaining to HIV/AIDS Care and Support, job holder represents CDC/Tanzania at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. Briefs senior agency officials, PEPFAR country team and interested officials of other USG agencies as appropriate on the results of such meetings and prepares written reports for submission to other interested parties. 
   
   Job holder represents the agency in discussing and developing financial commitment targets for HIV C&S programs at administrative and strategic planning meetings. This includes all USG PEPFAR implementing agencies (Departments of State, Defense, , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USAID and Peace Corps). 
   
   Job holder serves as chair or rotating chair on inter-agency technical team to ensure effective coordination of work plan development, implementation strategies, and evaluation plans for all USG agency C&S activities in Tanzania. Job holder serves on intra- and inter-branch and agency PEPFAR working groups and projects, frequently taking the project lead role. These projects are generally short-term in nature and most often have to do with special requirements for VIP visits, special PEPFAR taskings, etc. This would include 3-4 projects per year where position would have a lead role. 
   
   On behalf of the branch chief of section, incumbent may participate with other PEPFAR professionals on in-country committees for HIV/AIDS Care and Support 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 for HIV C&S on a national level. Based on information received in the national committees, job holder may recommend revisions to the Branch and PEPFAR team program policies and guidelines for Care and Support


4. Other duties assigned (5%)

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.

1. Education: 
   Medical degree and Masters in Public Health or host country equivalent degree in epidemiology, field is required.
2. Experience: 
   Three years of mid-to-senior level public health experience in developing, implementing and evaluating HIV/AIDS care and support 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.
3. Language:
   Level IV (fluent) speaking and written communication in English and Kiswahili is required. (This will be tested)
4. Skills and Abilities: 
   Strong oral and written communications skills are required to develop and maintain effective, sustainable working relationships with national and international working partners. Strong leadership skills are required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: The complete position description listing all of the duties and responsibilities can be obtained on our website and/or by contacting the Human Resources Office DarRecruitment@state.gov .

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. AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
      2. AEFM / USEFM 
      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:

1. Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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.

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources. (See “For Further Information” above);
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. resume, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
3. Copy of Degree.
4. For Tanzanian Nationals: Copy of Passport, or National ID, or Voter ID
5. For Other Nationals: please attach current Resident/Work Permit and copy of valid Passport.

WHERE TO APPLY: Effective immediately only online applications will be accepted via DarRecruitment@state.gov

When sending an online application, please indicate the position title in the subject line.
Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.