Regional One Health Technical Advisor for West Africa, Preparedness and Response Project

Overall Objectives and Description of the Position

The Preparedness and Response Project (P&R) is one component of the Emerging Pandemic Threats 2 (EPT 2) Program, funded by USAID from 2014-2019. The P&R project is tasked to work with the governments of countries participating in the EPT 2 program to strengthen preparedness and response capacity. P&R will provide technical and organizational development support and expertise in close collaboration with each country’s human and animal health agencies linked to the National One Health Platforms (NOHP). The NOHP is defined as the governmental organization/structure coordinating ministries, health agencies and reference laboratories responsible for the prompt identification, reporting, and response to emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), possible pandemic threats (including those due to emerging zoonotic diseases [EZDs] and novel infectious agents), outbreaks of initially unknown etiology, and public health events of international concern (PHEIC), and/or national importance. P&R activities will be planned and implemented in close cooperation with national governments of EPT 2 countries, and multilateral human and animal health agencies (WHO, FAO, OIE and their regional offices), US CDC and US government agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations (e.g. ECOWAS, WAHO, AU-IBAR, and Institute Pasteur), development partners, and the private sector.

The position of Regional One Health Technical Advisor (ROHTA) for West Africa will support planning, implementation, and oversight of P&R activities aligned with each country’s preparedness and response priorities, consistent with EPT 2 project priorities and the health initiatives of WHO, FAO, OIE and US CDC. The ROHTA will work closely with appropriate national government human and animal health officials in EPT 2 countries including Senegal, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and others as directed by USAID.

The ROHTA will provide technical and intellectual leadership to regional P&R activities, working collaboratively with EPT 2 project internal partners (PREDICT 2 and One Health Workforce [OHW]), under the supervision of the P&R Regional Director, and in close coordination and collaboration with the One Health and Organizational Development leadership team in Bethesda, Maryland. S/he will support planning, development, and implementation of P&R program strategy and activity implementation in the region. The ROHTA will support representation and communication in his/her area of technical responsibility and expertise with the donor and other key stakeholders. The ROHTA will be based in Dakar, Senegal.

Illustrative Tasks/Responsibilities

· Provide support for the establishment or strengthening of the National One Health Platforms (NOHP) in each EPT 2 country, contribute to the development of an overall regional strategy in collaboration with government health officials, under the leadership of USAID.

· Within strategy development, activity implementation, and preparedness and response capacity building activities, incorporate the principles of multisectoral and multidisciplinary cooperation on EID/EZD prevention and control.

· Assure all P&R activity objectives are aligned to project priorities, regional and international health organization regulations (WHO, FAO, OIE), and US government health agency initiatives (US CDC).

· Work with project technical leadership to represent regional P&R project perspectives and activities during meetings and conferences at the national and international levels.

· Ensure the provision of consistent, effective, high quality technical subject matter expertise and services and accurately represent and support the solutions and resources available from P&R consortium partners (DAI, TRG, and Palladium) to USAID, EPT 2 partners, beneficiaries, and other project stakeholders.

· Coordinate with the project technical leadership to guide technical and organizational development excellence in the area of animal and wildlife health and disease, zoonotic disease prevention and control, and contribute to the overall project direction; manage relationships with appropriate partners, country ministries, and regional organizations.

· Support coordination with the other EPT2 projects (PREDICT2 and OHW) in the region, and with high- and mid-level national human and animal/wildlife health officials, and appropriate international and USG health agency partners on the planning and support for NOHP-related preparedness and response activities.

· Advise the project technical leadership on the local and regional political, legal, and economic situation and assist to adapt the program to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.

· Brief the USAID missions and staff, and other USG officials as requested by USAID Washington and the project technical leadership staff.

· Liaise with other donors and regional and international organizations such as FAO, OIE, WHO, WAHO/ECOWAS to share health, technical and organizational development information and minimize overlap or unnecessary duplication of activities.

· Manage technical staff reporting to this ROHTA position, if assigned; oversee and support short-term P&R technical and organizational development consultants in achieving project results.

· Draft semi-annual and other project reports on the activities of the regional program.

· Assist visiting USG and partner staff and other dignitaries as appropriate in arranging travel and logistics, scheduling and facilitating meetings, and providing updates and briefings on the status of the P&R program in the region.

Extensive travel throughout the region is mandatory, and occasional travel to the US and other regions may be required at the direction of the project technical leadership.

Requirements/Experience

· Masters and 7-10 years of progressive work experience in technical and professional areas related to One Health required. MD, DVM, or Ph.D. in Public Health preferred. One Health experience could include work in the following areas: animal and/or human health, international public health initiatives, International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).

· Experience collaborating technically with multilateral health agencies including WHO, FAO, OIE and/or their regional offices required for implementation of disease outbreak preparedness and response activities.

· Knowledge of and experience with the application of a One Health approach to preparedness and response capacity building, and EID/EZD prevention and control strategies and methods

· Senior level practical experience (including field work [e.g., Rapid Response Team response to disease outbreaks]) working closely with a diverse range of government and multilateral health agencies, and nongovernmental organizations responsible for animal/human health, policy, legislation and finance, emergency preparedness, and disease surveillance and outbreak response systems

· Experience with wildlife, wildlife health authorities, and infectious diseases of wildlife is preferred.

· Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively (speaking and writing) in English and French.

· Excellent relationship management skills and strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills; demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance, liaise, consult and negotiate with external agencies, service providers, clients, and staff.

· Demonstrated ability to employ critical thinking skills, apply the scientific method, and to work independently to solve complex problems and to work with stakeholders for mutually agreeable solutions.

· Ability to work well under pressure, including keeping activities aligned with project objectives and responsibilities, providing effective supervision and mentoring of subordinate staff, effectively deal with interruptions and meet deadlines.

· Experience working in West Africa and the ability to work effectively across cultures required.

· Working knowledge of USAID rules and regulations preferred.

· National of an ECOWAS member state preferred.

Interested candidates are invited to send your application letter stating how they meet the qualifications and skills and a detailed CV.

Reporting:

The Regional One Health Technical Advisor will report tothe Regional Director for the respective region.

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online at:http://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc06/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=DAINC&cws=1 or by email to: PRPrecruitment@dai.com