BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The Health Systems Strengthening and Policy Advisor is an integral member of the West Africa Regional Health Office. S/he provides technical advice, management and administrative support to projects and programs in the portfolio which involve commodity security and logistics management and health systems strengthening, especially with respect to family planning and reproductive health. S/he helps design, manage, monitor and evaluate such activities, and provides input into USAID planning and reporting documentation. S/he will be designated as a Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) or Activity Manager for one or more activities.

3.0 MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities for this USAID/WA-funded position shall include but not be limited to:

Technical Assistance/Project Management (50%)

A. Provide substantive technical and programming advice to the health portfolio with respect to commodity security, logistics management, and health system strengthening. The incumbent will provide support to the reproductive health/ family planning (RH/FP), MCH, and HIV/AIDS portfolio, in particular the RH/FP commodity security systems in the region. In addition, s/he will provide technical guidance in related subject areas to the Mission as well as implementing partners in the regional countries as appropriate. Technical Assistance will be provided in areas including, but not limited to:

•   Ensuring that plans for commodity security and logistics are included in regional 3 initiatives, as appropriate;
•   Reviewing grant proposals and detailed implementation plans;
•   Assisting in the identification and replication of best practices;
•   Participating in the development of effective RH/FP, MCH, malaria, HIV/AIDS, systems strengthening, and commodity security logistics systems advocacy agendas;
•   Assisting in the integration of health programs (e.g., RH/FP into MCH, infectious diseases, malaria, and nutrition and HIV/AIDS) as appropriate.
•   Lead policy and advocacy dialogue in HIV/AIDS and RH/FP by identifying needs and gaps and best approaches to support host countries in filling gaps.
•   Lead the Regional Health Office’s emerging agenda in health care financing by identifying opportunities to work with other partners and donors to advance the region’s priority of universal health coverage.

B. As this position is cross-cutting, the incumbent will work closely with other technical advisors within the office to identify policy and advocacy needs and gaps and determine the best approaches to address these gaps. This will include review of work plans of grantees, and program monitoring.

C. The incumbent will be designated the COR/AOR or Activity Manager for one or more implementing mechanisms, and will provide technical and management oversight to those activities according to USAID standards. In this regard the incumbent will prepare briefing documents and conduct all USAID business (activity reports, memos, etc.) as required to carry out such management responsibilities. The incumbent will also assist implementing partners in the preparation of work plans consistent with the strategic objective and results package expected of the programs.

Monitoring and Evaluation/Data Analysis and Reporting (30%):

Provide input into and ensure that all USAID reporting requirements on impact and financing of activities are met and, where necessary, assist implementing partners in setting up reporting and tracking systems to provide such information in an efficient and timely manner. Monitoring and evaluation responsibilities will include travel in the region to observe and report on program-funded partner interventions. Assist in the review and analysis of data and information on relevant technical areas as a basis for providing up-to-date information on impact, effectiveness, and outputs of programs. Assist in drafting annual progress reports and conducting data quality assessments (DQAs) of implementing partners.

Maintaining USG and Partner Relationships (10%):

•   Draft materials for use in USAID communication relating to health system strengthening and commodity security logistics systems; this includes speeches, press releases, briefing papers, etc.;
•   Assist in drafting reports for submission to Washington;
•   Coordinate closely with entire USAID/West Africa health team, as well as stay informed of other USAID/WA activities and relevant bilateral and non-presence country activities;
•   In collaboration with grantees and supervisor, engage donors, NGO and other regional networks and public sector organizations to leverage resources for reproductive and family health commodities in the region.
Other work as delegated by the Senior Health Advisor and Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor or the Health Office Director in support of achieving Mission health objectives and goals. (10%)

This includes responsibilities for being the point person for the health team for a selected number of countries.
Travel: Requires estimated 20-30% travel within the region;

Qualification Required & Experience

Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in public health, medicine, nursing, or similar discipline is required. At least two years of experience in the management of commodity logistics systems in a regional and/or bilateral project is highly desired.

B. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge of commodity security and logistics systems is required; knowledge of USAID commodity procurement, while not required, is a strong advantage. Formal training and experience in RH/FP maternal/child health, HIV/AIDS, malaria management or related discipline is recommended. Good analytical skills and an ability to comprehend reports, analyze, and evaluate programs.

C. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of five years of progressive responsibilities in implementing RH/FP, HIV/AIDS, malaria, policy and/or MCH programs is required. At least one year liaison or work experience with bilateral and multilateral donors such as USAID, the UN agencies, public sector and/or NGO entities is desired.

D. COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

The incumbent must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain professional and effective contacts with counterparts and other donors, implementing partner chiefs-of party and technical staff is required. Excellent oral and written communication skills in French required.

E. LANGUAGE

Must be bilingual in French and English; should be able to draft and read complex technical documents in English as well as conduct technical discussions in both languages (S3/R3).

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested candidates should click below for more details about the requirements:-

Click Here For More Details

Via email:

accrapsc@usaid.gov

Please cite the solicitation number and position title within the subject line of your email application. Any attachments provided via email shall be in a format compatible with Microsoft Word 2003 or PDF and not zipped. Note that attachments to email must not exceed 3 MB.

OR

Via courier Regional Executive Office
USAID/West Africa
No. 24 Fourth Circular Rd. CT
P.O. Box 1630
Accra, Ghana

Closing Date: 12 November, 2014

Applicants are required to sign the OF-612 form. Incomplete and unsigned applications will not be considered for the position. Downloadable forms are available on the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms