E-DRUG: New GHFP-II Fellowship Available: Snr TB Pharmaceutical Management Advisor
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Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor III/IV: Senior Tuberculosis Pharmaceutical Management Advisor
Infectious Disease Division, Office of Health, Infectious Diseases and Nutrition, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development
Location: Arlington, VA
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP II-P4-145
The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
GHFP-II's goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency's immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual work planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.
Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency's ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.
BACKGROUND:
USAID is in the forefront of global tuberculosis (TB) leadership and support to high burden TB countries. USAID works with WHO, Stop TB Partnership and other international TB and TB/HIV partners to support policy development and implementation at the global, regional and country levels. USAID is the major supporter of the Global Drug Facility that ensures all TB commodities are available, affordable and quality assured. USAID is working with 23 countries with bilateral funds to improve TB services and supporting almost 30 more through targeted technical assistance to support Global Fund grants. These efforts provide lifesaving treatment to cure them from TB, prevent the further transmission of TB, and reduce the potential of drug resistant TB in the future.
By 2014, USAID will:
* Contribute to a 50 percent reduction in TB deaths and disease burden from the 1990 baseline.
* Sustain or exceed the detection of at least 70 percent of sputum smear-positive cases of TB and successfully treat at least 85 percent of cases detected in countries with established US Government TB programs.
* Successfully treat 2.6 million new sputum smear-positive TB patients under DOTS programs by 2014-primarily through support for needed services, commodities, health workers, and training, and additional treatment through coordinated multilateral efforts.
* Diagnose and initiate treatment of at least 57,200 new multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB cases by 2014, and provide additional treatment through coordinated multilateral efforts.
INTRODUCTION:
The Senior Tuberculosis (TB) Pharmaceutical Management Advisor (Senior Advisor) will be based in the Bureau for Global Health (GH), Health, Infectious Diseases, and Nutrition Office (HIDN), Infectious Diseases (ID) Division (GH/HIDN/ID). The Senior Advisor will provide support to USAID countries and other select countries with Global Fund (GF) grants in all aspects of pharmaceutical management with a specific emphasis on drug regulation, drug safety and adverse drug reactions. S/he will assist USAID country programs to develop and implement a pharmacovigilance system and other pharmaceutical management issues. Attention will be focused on providing technical assistance to countries implementing MDR TB activities under the Global Fund to Fight AIDS (GFATM) funding as well as under USAID funded country programs. The Senior Advisor will participate in country-level policy dialogue and provide technical assistance to USAID Missions and Ministries of Health in the design, implementation, and evaluation of TB and MDR TB pharmaceutical management programs. S/he will also provide technical guidance to selected GH/HIDN/ID core-funded TB activities.
The USAID/Washington TB Team is comprised of 19 positions that provide global technical leadership, country support and management of projects and resources. The Senior Advisor will work closely with many members of the team to support all three of these functions. S/he will participate in various meetings and working groups at the global, regional and country level related to TB drug management and country support. The Senior Advisor will work closely with other health staff in GH and regional bureaus and receive day-to-day guidance from the ID Division Chief as his/her onsite manager.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Senior Advisor will be responsible for:
1. Providing technical assistance to USAID country-level TB programs and national TB programs in scale-up and implementation of pharmaceutical management and other TB-related activities, particularly supporting GF grant implementation.
* Providing senior level MDR-TB strategic and programming guidance, including assisting with the preparation and/or review of national strategic plans, GF grants, and activities with the focus on pharmaceutical regulations, safety and adverse drug reactions.
* Providing technical assistance to country partners and stakeholders on the scale-up detection, treatment and support of MDR TB activities funded by the GFATM and USAID, with a special focus on building or strengthening pharmaceutical management systems.
* Providing technical advice to ensure that country programs are consistent with international standards, guidelines and recommendations for the management and use of first and second line TB drugs.
* Providing country support through coordination of TB and MDR TB country activities with the GFATM and other international donors and partners.
* Providing expertise in the development and review of technical documents to ensure quality implementation.
* Participating in joint country program reviews organized by partners (e.g., WHO) and GF grant evaluations, including the assessment of diagnostic and treatment practices for MDR TB and adherence to practice standards at the health facility level.
* Assisting with the identification of potential technical partners and mechanisms to implement programs and resolve bottlenecks in GF grant MDR TB activities.
* Liaising with partners involved in the scaling up of pharmaceutical management systems including pharmacovigilance systems.
* Providing technical advice to selected GH/HIDN/ID core-funded TB activities, in collaborations with project specific Cognizant Technical Officer and technical advisors, focusing on accelerating uptake of innovative approaches and practices related to MDR TB for USAID-supported programs with a particular focus on pharmaceutical management.
* Providing technical updates or briefings to other USAID TB Team members on novel approaches in pharmaceutical management, ensuring that the knowledge of the TB Team is kept up-to date in this subject matter.
* Contributing to the routine work of the TB Team, including: preparation of portfolio reviews and reports; reviews of mission/bureau documents such as annual reports and operational plans; and preparation of responses to Questions and Answers and other requests for information.
2. Providing technical support to the GH/HIDN/ID TB program:
* Providing technical advice to selected GH/HIDN/ID core-funded TB activities, in collaborations with project specific Cognizant Technical Officer and technical advisors, focusing on accelerating uptake of innovative approaches and practices related to MDR TB for USAID-supported programs with a particular focus on pharmaceutical management.
* Providing technical updates or briefings to other USAID TB Team members on novel approaches in pharmaceutical management, ensuring that the knowledge of the TB Team is kept up-to date in this subject matter.
* Contributing to the routine work of the TB Team, including: preparation of portfolio reviews and reports; reviews of mission/bureau documents such as annual reports and operational plans; and preparation of responses to Questions and Answers and other requests for information.
Level IV
A Senior Advisor at the Level IV will further be responsible for:
* Preparing and submitting occasional job-related papers to professional journals and meetings.
* Assessing current medical and public health literature, clinical and international guidelines and providing recommendations to USAID regarding the application of this information to USAID's technical and strategic approaches.
* Reviewing and synthesizing information about USAID programs and introducing new drug management tools related to MDR TB, using this information to recommend adjustments in program direction as needed.
* Leading and participating in technical committees as appropriate and conducting program evaluations and/or preparing scopes of work for independent evaluations.
* Preparing and presenting technical presentations at global, regional and country level meetings and workshops, as appropriate.
International and domestic travel approximately 30%.
Training and professional development
* Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments in the fields of pharmacovigilance systems and TB and MDR TB pharmaceutical management programs.
* Deepening knowledge of pharmaceutical management with a specific emphasis on drug regulation, drug safety and adverse drug reactions.
* Participating in interagency and intra-agency working groups as appropriate to SOW.
* Participating in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
* Master's degree or higher in public health, the health sciences or relevant disciplines with applicability to international public health.
* Minimum of at least five (5) years' experience in antimicrobial resistance.
* Experience and/or deep understanding of WHO infectious disease programs and policies.
* Knowledge of and familiarity with key international TB and/or infectious disease initiatives and organizations.
* Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
* Ability to work under pressure and in teams.
* Ability to travel internationally.
* US citizenship or US permanent residency required.
In addition to the above, the position requires the following at each level:
Technical Advisor III
Minimum ten (10) years' experience in the field of pharmacy, pharmacovigilance and/or research with at least three to five (3-5) years' experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
Technical Advisor IV
Minimum fifteen (15) years' experience in the field of pharmacy, pharmacovigilance and/or research with at least five (5) years' experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.
TO APPLY:
All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II's online recruitment system at
https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/
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 April 7, 2015 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.
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Global Health Fellows Program
ghfprecruitment <ghfprecruitment@ghfp.net>