Senior Public Health Specialist - PMTCT

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: March 9, 2017

Vacancy Announcement Number: 17/045

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

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

Job holder is a senior HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment activity manager specific for Adult Care and Treatment including Prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT). The incumbent will serve as the activity manager and key public health technical advisor to the official in charge of the Care and Treatment Team. 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 Education). 

Jobholder represents CDC Tanzania on care and treatment and PMTCT issues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. The incumbent of this position is the key public health advisor on Adult care and treatment and PMTCT activities to the Care and Treatment Team Lead and the CDC Global AIDS Program (GAP) Tanzania. The position oversees comprehensive care and treatment and PMTCT activities.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management and Oversight 
30% 

Provides technical assistance and oversight to CDC and other partners in the implementation of Adult care and treatment programs, including preparing directives, memoranda, policy statements and proposals to introduce new initiatives and to recommend effective operations consistent with overall program objectives in support of the PEPFAR Adult care and treatment and PMTCT programs in Tanzania. Serves as technical advisor to MOHSW in furthering of services provided by USG agencies, cooperative partners and contractors. Works closely with host government Ministry of Health, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to influence other collaborative organizations engaged in HIV programs to adopt appropriate strategies for their program activities. 

Provides technical evaluation of cooperative agreement proposals for adult care and treatment and PMTCT programs. Works with the CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) and partner representatives to ensure that most current adult care and treatment and PMTCT protocols are included in the signed agreement. Provides guidance and direction to grantees, program collaborators and contractors on management and implementation of cooperative agreement activities to ensure consistency with PEPFAR policies and guidance. Participates with partners in the development of work plans for implementation of activities following cooperative agreement awards. 

Working closely with MOHSW staff and other implementing partners, incumbent is required to monitor all programs under his/her purview to assure that the specific objectives for the program are achieved and/or appropriate remedial activities are instituted. In liaison with the Strategic Information (SI) unit, the position develops program evaluation strategies, methodologies and indicators for monitoring medical services, care and treatment programs in accordance with standard guidelines and protocols. Position makes sure that appropriate data management systems to monitor health objectives and indicators for care and treatment and PMTCT programs are in place and takes responsibility for the management of these systems within the Care and Treatment Team. 

Provides updated technical information to partners as it becomes available. Recommends practical training courses for various target audiences on how to implement, monitor and evaluate care and support programs, use monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data and report progress to key stakeholders. Reviews and evaluates training sessions to ensure partner staff is up-to-date with care and support protocols. 

Monitors activities and collaborates with each relevant partner organization on a regular basis to make sure program results are achieved and all care and support programmatic activities and study protocols meet human subject requirements and pass through ethical review with the appropriate agency authority. This involves regular site visits and meetings with representatives of each organization to review progress. Draws attention to organizational needs such as inadequate medical supplies, equipment, facilities and staffing. 

Responds to requests from NGOs, health care organizations and medical professionals for information and technical assistance on care and support programs and strategies. 

Leads site assessments of PEPFAR care and treatment and PMTCT programs carried out by implementing partners of the USG. Collects data and prepares the technical assistance requests to be sent to the US Embassy PEPFAR managing body and/or CDC senior management and develops scopes of work as needed for the requests. Prepares oral and written reports on the progress of program 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. 

As the Activity Manager for Care and Treatment cooperative agreements and contracts (which have a PMTCT budget code) in Tanzania, job holder oversees the public health technical aspects in development of the Scope of Work (SOW), Funding Opportunity Announcements, review of applications, supplemental awards, and requests for extensions. In this capacity, the incumbent liaises with the agency grants and cooperative agreements technical specialists at post and in the U.S. on technical reviews and funding awards for care and treatment cooperative agreements annually, estimated at $10 million per year. Once the cooperative agreement 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.

Planning and Coordination: 
30%

Job holder serves as a primary advisor in the planning and development of adult care and treatment and PMTCT programs included in the annual COP for Tanzania. In collaboration with other USG partners, compiles and edits prevention program activities for the COP. Participates in reviews of the plan and recommends revisions as needed. Drafts technical requirements for program announcements for cooperative agreements supporting prevention 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. Job holder represents CDC Tanzania at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. Acts as an expert national resource, and a recognized regional and international resource on matters pertaining to care and treatment and PMTCT. 

As an expert on matters pertaining to adult care and treatment and PMTCT program activities, job holder represents CDC/Tanzania at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. Briefs agency officials on the results of such meetings and prepares written reports for submission to other interested parties. Represents the agency in discussing and developing financial commitment proposals for HIV programs at administrative and strategic planning meetings. This includes all USG agencies (Departments of State, Defense, and Health and Human Services, USAID and Peace Corps). Serves as chair or rotating chair on inter-agency technical working groups to ensure effective coordination of work plan development, implementation strategies, and evaluation plans for all USG agency adult care and treatment and PMTCT activities in Tanzania. 

May be required to serve as a member and advisor on national committees for HIV program activities. The purpose of these committees is to assess program needs and issues at the local level and communicate these needs/issues to the national level. The committees help to ensure consistency in the implementation of best practices for adult care and treatment and PMTCT activities on a national level. Based on information received in the national committees, job holder may recommend revisions to the Care and Treatment program policies and guidelines for PMTCT activities and programs. 

Serves on intra- and inter-branch PEPFAR 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 tasking’s, etc. There tend to be 3-4 projects per year where position would take a lead role.

Supervision & Administrative Management
30%

Directly supervises and provides program specialist guidance in planning, developing, and implementing care activities and working with partner agencies and groups. 

The incumbent will provide supervision, leadership and guidance to three care and treatment and PMTCT program specialists in the development, refinement, revision, implementation and overall management of HIV activities. The incumbent develops work plans, monitors performance, and oversees training, mentoring and professional development of team members. 

Incumbent is responsible for providing oversight and monitoring the budgets allocated to adult care and treatment including PMTCT 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 budget status reports, following up on irregular findings, providing advice for realignments of budgets and accruals. 

Job holder maintains files and records in the CDC office data collection system specific to the activities and programs for which the incumbent is responsible. Job holder is responsible for data integrity and security of information in the reporting databases related to HIV/AIDS (particularly any information on named individuals). Other program files include reports, meeting summaries and minutes, copies of all cooperative agreements, research determinations, panels, and awards. Whenever possible, these records will be filed electronically and entered into the reference system. 

Prepares and presents briefings for VIP visitors, participates in making arrangements for visits and serves as spokesman as required on matters within technical expertise. In coordination with the CDC Country Director or PEPFAR Country Coordinator, serves as control officer for site visits to adult care and treatment and PMTCT program activities by agency and inter-agency PEPFAR officials. 

Monitors and reviews the results achieved by care and support contractors and partners.

Other Duties as Assigned
10%

Job holder controls minor projects that involve logistical and/or reporting ad hoc requirements. These are generally VIP visits, special site visits to projects, special reporting tasking levied by agency headquarters.

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 is required.
2. Experience: 
   A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in a public health setting, including experience in Prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT), HIV treatment, care and support 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 oral and written communications skills to develop and maintain effective, sustainable working relationships with national and international health partners 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 Master’s 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

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.