Strategic Information Advisor - USAID/Tanzania

Title: Strategic Information Advisor
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Number: GHFP-09-142
Status: Open
Close Date: 7/13/2009
Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor Level II: Strategic Information Advisor, USAID/Tanzania
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Assignment: Two-year fellowship
GHFP-09-142

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).

The goal of GHFP 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:
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the largest commitment ever by a nation toward an international health initiative for a single disease. In this second five-year phase of PEPFAR, the US Government (USG) has committed a further $48 billion to build upon the successes achieved to date. PEPFAR aims to prevent 12 million new infections, treat 3 million people with antiretroviral drugs and provide care and support for 12 million people, including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children. Tanzania is one of PEPFAR’s 15 focus countries.

The Strategic Information Advisor (the Advisor) will provide high-quality technical assistance to the USG PEPFAR country team, technical working groups, implementing partners, and Government of Tanzania counterparts to ensure that the portfolio of program activities contributes to the national HIV/AIDS strategic goals and targets. The Advisor will generate accurate data analyses and reports to inform national policy, and to meet the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) reporting requirements. The Advisor will receive day-to-day direction and operational guidance from the PEPFAR/Tanzania Coordinator.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Strategic Information Advisor will:

• Coordinate in-country program area and project assessments and evaluations across USG agencies and partners
• Provide technical oversight for evaluation, study design, and implementation
• Disseminate findings and identify areas for further study that will assist in PEPFAR and national programming
• Participate in and provide technical assistance to the national monitoring and evaluation technical workgroup
• Collect and report PEPFAR outcome and impact indicators
• Liaise with international partners to ensure effective exchange of strategic information
• Coordinate responses to Core Team and OGAC’s Technical Working Groups’ requests on strategic information, and communicate measurement results and indicators
• Serve as the principal field counterpart to the Washington-based Strategic Information Advisor and lead development of country responses on strategic information queries from that Strategic Information Advisor, Core Team and OGAC
• Assist the PEPFAR/Tanzania Coordinator to identify and communicate strategic information issues, challenges, and policy questions to the Government of Tanzania, US Department of State, and Country Team to solicit responses and action plan
• Facilitate the work of the PEPFAR/Tanzania Strategic Information Interagency Technical Team and the in-country monitoring and evaluation contractor for the timely and accurate collection and reporting of PEPFAR monitoring, outcome and impact indicators
• Provide technical input and advice to create and update Tanzania strategic information guidelines, standards, and manuals to ensure consistency with the latest PEPFAR strategic information guidance
• Ensure PEPFAR data from implementing partners meet benchmark data quality standards
• Coordinate with programmatic strategic units and their strategic information focal people to ensure timely preparation of the semi-annual and annual reports
• Ensure PEPFAR data analysis and output are accomplished in time
• Prepare presentations and reports for stakeholders including OGAC, the Government of Tanzania, implementing partners, and donors
• Oversee USG technical support to national data systems
• Review strategic plans, and coordinate the development of frameworks and strategies to assist national priorities and planning
• Provide guidance to the PEPFAR Coordinator on human and financial resource needs for provision of strategic information technical assistance to the USG PEPFAR team, implementing partners and national workgroups
• Assist USG agencies, technical work groups and partners with data analysis and preparation of abstracts and presentations for the PEPFAR annual conference, in-country meetings and international conferences
• Perform related duties as necessary

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, social sciences, or related disciplines
• Minimum five years’ work experience in managing public health/social sector programs
• Two years’ HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation and program management experience, especially within a developing countries or resource-poor context
• Demonstrated knowledge of data management processes, tools, web-based database systems for large scale health program or HIV/AIDS activities
• Extensive knowledge of public health principles, concepts, methods and techniques
• Experience working closely with high level government and other counterparts
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal, facilitation and team building skills
• Ability to analyze data and produce reports using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Ability to communicate, influence and convince verbally and in writing
• Ability to obtain medical clearance to live and work in Tanzania
• US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency required

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Starting salary commensurate with experience and salary history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.

Application forms and details available at: https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/index.fsp?FUNC=1&PID=31571