Global Health Fellows Program:Technical Advisor II: Orphans and Vulnerable Children Technical Advisor

Implementation Support Division, Office of HIV/AIDS, Bureau for Global Health, United States, Agency for International Development

Location: Washington, DC

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP-08-111

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute (PHI) in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health, Management Systems International and Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. GHFP is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID Population, Health and Nutrition programs by developing and increasing capacity of health professionals in Washington, DC and overseas. This is accomplished through the recruitment, placement and support of junior, mid and senior level health professionals; a diversity initiative focused on providing internship and mentoring opportunities in international public health to underrepresented communities; and professional and organizational development activities to bolster USAID’s ability to maximize results and strengthen its leadership role in global health.

INTRODUCTION

USAID has been, and continues to be, at the forefront of the US Government (USG) response in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, funding over $6 billion since inception of its international HIV/AIDS program in 1986 with HIV/AIDS programs in nearly 100 countries worldwide. The Agency is a key partner in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment ever by any nation for an international health initiative dedicated to a single disease – a five-year, $15 billion multifaceted approach to combating the disease in more than 120 countries around the world.

The Office of HIV/AIDS is seeking to expand its leadership in providing quality orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) programming and technical assistance to USAID and other United States Government (USG) agencies engaged in international HIV/AIDS activities. Working in collaboration with USG country teams, the OVC Advisor will be responsible for strengthening the technical capacity of host governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs), to address the multi-dimensional needs of OVC. The Advisor will provide assistance to missions, regional field offices, regional bureaus, cooperating agencies (CAs), private voluntary organizations (PVOs), host country governments and NGOs, CBO and FBOs. The OVC Advisor will be part of an OVC team within the Office of HIV/AIDS under the technical guidance of the Sr. OVC Technical Advisor. As part of the OVC team, the Advisor will provide technical guidance to OHA contractors and CAs regarding technical work plans, activities, and research agendas. Additionally, the Advisor will interact with other offices, regional bureaus, other USG agencies, and international organizations to further advance the Agency’s goals.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Orphans and Vulnerable Children Technical Advisor will:
• Provide aid to USAID missions, regional field offices, regional bureaus, CAs, PVOs, host country governments, NGOs, CBOs, and FBOs in their efforts to provide comprehensive services for OVC affected by HIV/AIDS.
• Provide as assigned coordination and technical guidance to Office of HIV/AIDS contractors and CAs regarding technical work plans, activities and research agendas.
• Interact with other offices, regional bureaus, other USG agencies, and international organizations to further advance the agency’s goals of meeting the needs of OVC affected by HIV/AIDS.
• Support the efforts of USG country teams to address the multi-dimensional needs of OVC, including improving the capacity of governments, organizations and communities providing OVC services.
• Collaborate with other bilateral and multi-lateral donors, foundations, and private sector entities working with OVC.
• Serve as requested as a Global Health Bureau representative on review teams for proposals submitted to the Agency.
• Act as liaison when requested for USAID on selected interagency working groups.
• Plan, participate, facilitate, and present at international, domestic and local meetings, and at workshops and conferences.
• Prepare quarterly progress reports detailing tasks accomplished during each quarter and confirm after project completion.
• Prepare written reviews of partner work plans and confirm after project completion.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Masters’ degree or higher in social work or public health or other relevant fields such as child development or psychology.
• Minimum five years’ experience working with programs to address the needs of vulnerable children including those affected by AIDS with a minimum of two years’ experience in resource poor and/or international settings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of OVC program approaches and latest developments.
• Demonstrated ability in program design, strategic planning, program coordination and implementation, especially within a developing country context.
• Demonstrated experience in working with donor-funded organizations.
• Training and strong experience in coordination and oversight of NGOs, CBOs and FBOs.
• Knowledge of USAID and State budget and programming processes.
• Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• Ability to work with diverse teams.
• A high degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity, and originality to interpret strategy, to analyze, develop and present work, and to oversee and evaluate implementation of programs.
• Willingness to travel.
• Fluency in a foreign language preferred.
• US Citizenship or Permanent Residency required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

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

TO APPLY:

Visit the Recruitment section of our website at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/

All candidates are required to apply through GHFP’s online recruitment system, 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 4, 2008.

We are proud to be an affirmative action employer.