Sr Technical Advisor, Research and Strategic Information - Tanzania

Friday, September 25, 2009

Sr Technical Advisor, Research and Strategic Information - Tanzania

Organization(s): Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Country/Region: Tanzania
Contract Length: Full-time staff position

Description

The Senior Technical Advisor, Research and Strategic Information (STA-RSI) has the responsibility for ensuring an effective delivery of EGPAF Tanzania's projects and contracts. As a member of the senior management team, working hand in hand with the TD and the Associate TD Clinical Services (ATD-CS), the STA-RSI provides leadership, management, support, co-ordination and technical expertise for the implementation of high quality PMTCT, Care and Treatment and several related cross-cutting programs in Tanzania, in close collaboration with the government of Tanzania and its international donor community.

Reporting to the Technical Director (TD), the STA-RSI will assist the TD in the supervision and capacity building of the Technical Advisors, Program Co-ordinators and Program Officers responsible for PMTCT, Care and Treatment, Training and Capacity Building, Community Linkages, Early Infant Diagnosis, Quality Improvement, Laboratory Services, M&E and Public Health Evaluations. The STA-RSI will ensure that each assigned project will reach its objectives and impact, essential for the fulfilment of the EGPAF Country Operating Plan (COP).

The main responsibilities of the STA-RSI are two-fold:

Development of EGPAF Tanzania's research potential and activities
Strengthening data-driven management and effective use of M&E in EGPAF Tanzania's program

RESPONSIBILITIES
Development of EGPAF Tanzania's research potential and activities

Coordinating EGPAF Tanzania's research activities
Work with EGPAF staff in the identification of research areas and public health evaluations; leading the development of a research agenda for EGPAF Tanzania
Leading the development of research and grants proposals and building the capacity of EGPAF staff doing so
Building capacity of EGPAF staff in writing high quality reports and dissemination of success stories, best practices, lessons learned, scientific abstracts and -papers
Building capacity of EGPAF staff in performing impact assessments and research activities
Supervising and strengthening EGPAFs Program Officer Public Health Evaluations

Strengthening data driven management and effective use of M&E

Supervising and strengthening EGPAF Tanzania's M&E department (currently consisting of one Program Coordinator, eight Program Officers and one Data Clerk)
Leading and strengthening EGPAF Tanzania's Quality Improvement activities
Assuring accurate monitoring of EGPAF Tanzania's programmatic performance from sub-grantee to country program level
Assuring active and effective sharing of data and information within EGPAF and between EGPAF and relevant stakeholders
Organizing quarterly data discussion and feedback meetings between EGPAF and sub-grantees at each supported region
Building capacity of EGPAF staff and sub-grantees to collect, analyze and use data for management and decision making
Assure the timely submission of high quality reports to donors, MOHSW, EGPAF head quarters and other stakeholders as required

Supervision of program staff

Participating in the recruitment of new personnel
Performing performance evaluations of supervised staff
Ensuring timely reporting and co-ordination of individual work plans of supervised staff
Maintaining a register of individual travel plans of supervised staff
Authorising travel advances and approving expense reports of supervised staff

Represent EGPAF to donors, government bodies and other partners and stakeholders

Representing EGPAF in national and international consultations, meetings and correspondence with other stakeholders, with a focus on research and strategic use of information and M&E
Assisting in the management of national and international visitors by developing scopes of work and co-ordinating schedules and travel as needed
Maintaining strong links with EGPAF's partners and other senior program team, developing shared approaches to realise EGPAF's global strategy

Management and planning

Work closely with the TD to provide technical guidance to the initiatives of the country program
Assist the TD and Country Director in the development and planning of reports, project proposals, COPs and budgets
Facilitate development of quarterly and annual work plans for staff at country and field offices

Other Duties
The STA-RSI will be expected to undertake other duties from time to time, as discussed and agreed with the TD and the Country Director.

Working station
The position is based in Dar es Salaam, and frequent travel (30%) to other parts of the country is a core requirement of this position. Occasional travel outside Tanzania may be necessary.

Education and experience

Masters or PhD in Epidemiology (or proven equivalent experience)
Proven experience in Pubic Health with a Masters of Public Health or equivalent degree or experience
Extensive experience in the design, planning, implementation and management of HIV and Public Health related research projects, preferably in developing countries
At least five years of proven experience in HIV-project management in the design, administration, management and implementation of international health programs in developing countries, including M&E, supervision and reporting
Proven experience in the development of quality improvement tools and -systems in developing countries
Proven experience in the writing of abstracts, proposals and reports
At least five years of relevant work experience in developing countries, preferably in Tanzania

Essential Skills and Knowledge

Energetic, pro-active independent and self motivated
Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills
Excellent management and diplomatic skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects while working as part of team
Skills and knowledge in program sustainability and capacity building
Extensive knowledge on HIV prevention and care
Excellent understanding of MS Office; excellent understanding of statistical packages
Fluency in English, both oral and written

Desirable Skills and Knowledge