Senior Public Health Specialist – Care and Treatment

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: March 31, 2017

OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates/ All sources

Vacancy Announcement Number: 17/061

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 Senior Public Health Specialist – Care and Treatment at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 


BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

The Sr. Public Health Specialist (C&T), works under the supervision of the Behavioral Prevention Team Lead to provide technical assistance and oversight to all CDC- funded government (2), para-statal (2) and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs; 5) Counseling and Testing (CT) partners. In addition as Lead of the US Government (USG) CT Interagency Technical Team (ITT) the incumbent provides technical advice on all USG CT program support across agencies and represents the USG vis-à-vis government in relevant CT technical meetings. 

The incumbent serves as the primary CDC contact for external partners for all issues related to CDC-supported counseling and testing program activities. Serves as the Project Officer for all counseling and testing components of all CDC-supported cooperative agreements in Tanzania. Serves as a primary contributor to the planning, development, and review of the counseling and testing components of the annual Country Operational Plan (COP) for Tanzania. Monitors and evaluates progress of projects, identifying technical, personnel, logistical, and financial problems and makes or recommends revisions as necessary to overcome obstacles and constraints to progress. Identifies training needs and participates in the development and implementation of training courses for partner organizations.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planning and Coordination
30%

1. Job holder serves as a primary advisor in the planning and development of counselling and testing program activities included in the annual COP for Tanzania. As USG CT ITT Lead provides technical advice and inputs into overall USG CT program and service support across USG agencies. In collaboration with other USG partners, compiles and edits program activities for the COP. Participates in reviews of the plan and recommends revisions as needed.
2. Drafts technical requirements for CDC CT program announcements for cooperative agreements supporting counselling and testing program activities. Reviews cooperative agreement applications from partner agencies for technical soundness and appropriateness of budget requests. Participates with partners in the development of work plans for implementation of activities following cooperative agreement awards.
3. Job holder represents USG Tanzania for HIV counselling and testing issues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings with collaborators. Acts as an expert national resource on matters pertaining to HIV counselling and testing.
4. Incumbent serves as a member and advisor on the Ministry of Health National AIDS Control Program (MOH NACP) CT working group for coordination of counselling and testing issues on a national level. The sub-committee assesses program needs and issues at the National level, communicates these needs/issues, and ensures consistency in the implementation of best practices for HIV counselling and testing on a national level and recommends revisions to policies and guidelines.
5. Facilitates and serves as a resource to MOH NACP and USG to ensure CT service expansion plans are developed and address the right balance of expansion between different types of settings, i.e. facility-based versus community-based settings, and different CT modalities, e.g. Provider-Initiated Testing & Counseling (PITC) and Client-Initiated Counseling & Testing (CICT).
6. Collaborates with MOH NACP and USG staff from other program areas to ensure that CT work plans and expansion plans are developed in sink and coordination with other relevant services including, but not limited to laboratory support, care and treatment services, infection prevention and control etc.

Technical Assistance and Oversight
50%

1. Provides technical assistance and oversight on all CT program aspects to: 
   a. The MOH AIDS Control CT programs for Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar (2 government stakeholders) 
   b. Bugando Medical Center and Muhimbili University & Hopistal (2 paratstal CT partners) 
   c. All CDC-funded CT NGO partners (currently 5 partners: Balm in Gilead, Columbia University, IntraHealth, ITECH and Pathfinder)
2. Serves as technical expert on all technical aspect of CT programs across USG agencies investing in and supporting CT services, i.e. USAID, DOD and CDC.
3. Serves as direct supervisor to the second CDC CT program officer currently being recruited, facilitating the orientation of the new staff, assisting with individual work plan development, conducting regular performance appraisals and assisting with identification of capacity building needs.
4. Ensures that supported activities at multiple delivery sites conform to national standards, guidelines, and USG/CDC technical strategies. Identifies and corrects problems, barriers, and issues impeding the effective implementation of counselling and testing program activities.
5. Advises national CT program and partner agencies on use and expansion of different CT service modalities, including 
   d. PITC in clinical and facility-based settings, 
   e. mobile CT services for Most-At-Risk services and remote rural areas,
    f. home-based and index patient testing in high prevalence areas and in collaboration with care and treatment programs and services, and
   g. CICT through VCT services and campaigns.
6. Develops and maintains effective liaisons with CT program officers and directors in implementing partner organizations to ensure that timelines and quality standards for implementation of program activities are met.
7. Identifies staff training needs in implementing partner organizations, in particular for government agency CT staff, and facilitates and participates in the planning and development of training programs, teaching modules, manuals, and educational materials to address identified needs. Builds staff capacity through mentoring.
8. Keeps up to date with scientific developments, innovations, best practices and new approaches in area of expertise.
9. Participates in the design and development of program guidelines and activities, including protocols for HIV counselling and testing.
10. Oversees and supports the development of a National Quality Assurance (QA) CT framework, in collaboration with selected partners including CDC Atlanta, IntraHealth and the NACP CT program.
11. Ensures continuous collaboration with the CDC laboratory support sector and team for HIV testing and laboratory related HIV serology.
12. Ensures integration and implementation of appropriate injection safety and infection prevention and control measures (e.g., uses of gloves and safety boxes for sharps disposal, and proper management of infectious waste) among CT partners and services.
13. Conducts regular, at the minimum quarterly, site visits to provide technical assistance and oversight to CT partners in program implementation, both in the context of visits to CDC-funded CT partners as well as a member of joint interagency team site visits.
14. Facilitates liaison of USG staff with MOH CT staff for key USG & MOH CT meetings for both Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.
15. Ensures adherence to established work plans and CDC and PEPFAR guidelines, policies and priorities.

Monitoring and Evaluation
20%

1. Provides technical assistance to the MOHSW and other partners in the design and implementation of tools, reporting instruments, and systems to effectively monitor and evaluate counselling and testing and injection safety program activities. Serves as a programmatic resource in the design and development of information systems and databases to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of counselling and testing programs.
2. Ensures that CT M&E tools and systems are harmonized with tools and systems from other relevant services and programs such as laboratory and care & treatment services.
3. Maintains effective liaisons with program officer partner staff to ensure that partners meet monitoring requirements for supported cooperative agreement activities (e.g., quarterly reports, continuation applications, and supplemental applications). Reviews cooperative agreement narrative and financial reports to assess progress in meeting stated objectives and the status of expenditures in relation to planned budgets.
4. Conducts site visits to assess progress of partner organizations in meeting program objectives. Analyzes and evaluates program activities and writes reports on findings for presentation at national and international conferences and meetings. Provides guidance and technical assistance to partners in analyzing and evaluating program activities and developing reports and presentations for conferences and meetings.
5. Coordinates and oversees CT data compilation, review and quality for Semi-annual progress reports.
6. Participates and at times leads the identification of relevant CT study and research questions in collaboration with the Interagency PHE Coordinator/CDC Associate Director for Science and prevention study focal points.

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/or advanced degree in Public Health and/or Social Sciences required.
2. Experience: 
   A minimum of three years of working experience in HIV behavioral prevention activities (Planning, developing, implementing and evaluating HIV/AIDS programs) 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: 
   Excellent writing skills and computer skills is 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 Certificate of Secondary School and Telecommunication studies.
4. For Tanzanian Nationals: Copy of Passport, or National ID, or Voters 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

Applicants MUST follow instructions in the notice on the website.
When sending an online application, please indicate the position title in the subject line.
Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.