Senior TB and Global Grant Fund Advisor at Public Health Institute Sustaining Technical and Analytic Resources

The Senior TB Advisor (Senior Advisor) will support the National TB Program of Ghana for effective implementation and scale up of TB and M/XDR-TB activities. Additionally, the Senior Advisor will identify programmatic bottlenecks and facilitate solutions through coordinated technical assistance, as well as support the country to leverage additional resources for TB control.

Reporting structure:

• The Senior Advisor will be based at the National TB Program Office in Ghana. S/he will work closely with and receive technical direction from the National TB Program Manager who will serve as his/her Onsite Manager.

Essential Duties and Outcomes:

Improve management and successful implementation of the Global Fund (GF) grant:

• Provide technical assistance to develop and critically review the GF grant annual work plan and budgets, with particular emphasis on any needs for reprogramming to meet GF targets.
• Consult with existing stakeholders on needed TA to effectively implement the TB GF grant.
• Support monitoring the progress of grant implementation through field visits.
• Review and analyze performance reports submitted to the GF and other partners.
• Pro-actively identify and work to resolve any issues that may lead to disbursement delays.
• Support the National TB Program with any follow-up actions on grant conditions/Conditions Precedents.
• Lead development of monitoring tools and dashboards for reaching programmatic indicators. (GF, WHO and national indicators).
• Help organize regular discussions among the GF, NTP, and USAID to ensure alignment of technical approaches in the respective TB portfolios.

Build capacity of NTP in the successful implementation and scale up of M/XDR-TB activities:

• Support NTP to scale up of quality laboratory system in the country, including GeneXpert and DST tools.
• Improve TB and MDR-TB case finding, implement new and innovative approaches and systems to increase case detection.
• Lead preparation for introduction of new drugs and regimens in the country, with a focus on clinical management, training and care delivery.
• Identify programmatic bottlenecks and facilitate technical assistance to develop innovative solutions.
• Identify programmatic gaps which may require additional technical assistance in collaboration with NTP and partners.

Improve coordination and reporting of NTP activities across implementing partners, donors and other parties:

• Liaise with USAID, GF and other donors and international partners on planning and provision of needed TA.
• Enhance financial management systems and processes for managing funds accountably and effectively.
• Develop improvements on data quality assurance mechanisms, effective supportive supervision, and use of digital solutions.
• Support the development of quarterly and annual programmatic narrative reports.
• Lead NTP’s coordination of TB activities among program partners and organize regular partner meetings.
• Support NTP to liaise with domestic and international partners.
• Participate in regular conference calls/meetings with USAID staff as needed.
• Contribute to monthly reporting to USAID.

Anticipated learning outcomes:

• Required 10% time
• Demonstrate proficiency across the core global health competencies defined as development practice, cross cultural awareness, communication, capacity strengthening, ethics of public health, health equity, gender equality and global burden of disease that is necessary for persons practicing in global health.
• Cultivate mentorship skills based on the STAR GH mentorship curriculum to more effectively support and improve knowledge transfer and skills acquisition of staff, incoming fellows and interns.
• Advance leadership skills to successful support capacity building and knowledge sharing activities, and mentor develop junior staff.
• Apply leadership skills and technical expertise to support programmatic growth and scale up within TB programming.

FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Advanced degree (Masters, PhD, or MD) in a health-related field required.
• Minimum 13 years of relevant technical experience with master’s degree or a minimum of 15 years of relevant technical experience with bachelor’s degree.
• At least thirteen years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and managing TB and PMDT in developing countries, with a preference given to candidates with African experience.
• At least five years of experience with or good knowledge of Global Fund operating procedures and financial management processes (proposal development and submission, monitoring and evaluation, PSM plan and reporting).
• Demonstrated experience managing successful teams comprised of experienced professionals.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, strategic planning, policy experience and problem-solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment are required.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of in country organizations and USG personnel and partners, along with demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters is a must.
• Ability to effectively communicate information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.
• Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both orally and in writing — in English essential.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations.
• Ability to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members.
• Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, Access, SPSS and other statistical and other relevant software) are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements.
• Proven experience in conducting research and publishing result.

Additional skills (preferred)

• Experience with USAID-funded public health programs preferred.