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Vacancy Announcement: Southern Africa Region Team Lead
Program Unit
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C.
This is a contract position.
Annual salary range is $100,000 to $120,000.
(Actual pay will be set within the range specified in this vacancy announcement and will be based on the qualifications, education, experience, training, and availability of funds.)
A security clearance at the Secret level is required.
Expressions of interest, including resumes, should be submitted by no later than Friday, September 24, 2010, to .
Background
The Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC) is responsible for implementing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) – the U.S. Government initiative to support partner nations around the world in responding to HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR was launched in 2003, and is the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease internationally in history. Through PEPFAR, the U.S. Government has committed approximately $32 billion to bilateral HIV/AIDS programs; the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and bilateral tuberculosis programs through Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. The human impact of America’s investments in partner nations’ efforts is profound. PEPFAR has directly supported life-saving antiretroviral treatment for over 2.4 million men, women and children as of September 2009. PEPFAR has directly supported more than 11 million people with care and support programs, including more than 4 million orphans and vulnerable children, through FY 2009. PEPFAR’s efforts around prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs have allowed nearly 340,000 babies of HIV-positive mothers to be born HIV-free, including nearly 100,000 in FY 2009. PEPFAR is the cornerstone and largest component of the President’s Global Health Initiative. This Initiative supports partner countries in improving health outcomes through strengthened health systems, with a particular focus on improving the health of women, newborns and children through programs that address a range of health issues.
Additional information about S/GAC and PEPFAR is available at www.pepfar.gov.
Introduction
This position is located in the Program unit of the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC). Program is responsible for supporting development and monitoring of implementation plans for each of the PEPFAR countries; providing policy oversight and direction for all USG HIV/AIDS bilateral resources; and coordinating with S/GAC’s Multilateral Diplomacy unit on issues related to the implementation of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the country level. Program also provides support to PEPFAR’s implementing departments and agencies and serves as a technical resource for the implementation of all USG bilaterally funded HIV/AIDS activities and all other activities conducted by the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. It serves as a technical resource for a variety of issues relevant to the success of country programs on HIV/AIDS including but not restricted to human resources for health, health systems strengthening, HIV prevention and care and treatment.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
§ With mentoring and oversight by the Director of Country Program Support serves as the Southern Africa Region Team Lead and senior point of contact and liaison to the in-country PEPFAR team and public and private entities for designated PEPFAR countries in the Southern Africa region. Based on a comprehensive knowledge and ongoing data analysis of the overall country context, the different HIV/AIDS country situations, in-country HIV programs and the PEPFAR program, provides advice and recommendations to S/GAC management on issues regarding African countries. The Southern Africa Region Team Lead will also assume specific responsibility for up to two PEPFAR designated countries within the region.
§ As a regional team lead, provides input into strategic initiatives and decision making related to the designated region which includes understanding trends in the HIV epidemic within the region, capacity of countries to respond, and political and geographic contextual issues. Provides opportunities for communicating and sharing of resources within the region – either technical inputs to build capacity within country programs or south-to-south sharing of experience and expertise within the region.
§ With regard to specific responsibility for up to two PEPFAR designated countries, supports the in-country PEPFAR Coordinator to: (1) coordinate with the Chief-of-Mission, relevant U.S. Government (USG) departments and agencies, the partner-country government, the NGO sector, bilateral and multilateral donors, and other stakeholders in the development, implementation and reporting on the Partnership Frameworks, Partnership Framework Implementation Plans, and the one-year Country Operational Plans for each assigned country; (2) manage processes through which the most appropriate USG agency/ies assume ownership for those aspects of the plans where its employees have the greatest expertise and technical capabilities in an effort to ensure the plan’s success; and (3) coordinate and link USG bilateral assistance with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and other major development partners. Ensures appropriate technical assistance and support to country teams through the PEPFAR implementing departments and agencies. Problem solves as needed on specific country issues.
§ As assigned, participates in the development, coordination and dissemination of new or revised HIV/AIDS policies affecting designated PEPFAR countries with the Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, the Departments of State and Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Provides expert advice, analysis, recommendations, data and information in their initial development; prepares conceptual policy statements and coordinates these documents with the major stakeholders; and monitors their subsequent dissemination and implementation in the field.
§ Attends international meetings, conferences, etc. whose sponsors or attendees include donors with significant equities and other contributors in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. Recommends as well as advocates positions and views of the USG on strategies, initiatives and current programs that aim to improve the prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS.
§ Coordinates and integrates the participation of HIV/AIDS experts within and outside the USG’s Executive Branch for large, relevant international meetings and fora. Responsible for the preparation and clearance of any formal remarks regarding PEPFAR in assigned countries to be presented by the President or other senior representatives of the USG during high level political fora related to HIV/AIDS.
§ Evaluates the relative need, local conditions and capability of designated PEPFAR countries to develop or improve their infrastructure and programs necessary to provide or strengthen the quality, availability and sustainability of treatment, prevention and care services. Recommends to decision-makers the optimal mix of funding support among the different USG agencies following consultation with agency representatives and Chiefs-of-Mission.
§ Reviews the strategic information and analysis associated with incoming funding requests. Recommends to decision-makers the allocation of funds among and within designated PEPFAR countries based upon their performance in reaching treatment, prevention and care targets of PEPFAR.
§ Collaborates with S/GAC’s Director of Management and Budget or his/her staff to establish fiscal controls and reporting systems to track funds accurately and control disbursements so that resources will be correctly directed to their intended use and will be deployed rapidly. Coordinates closely with this financial official to quickly resolve any funding or reporting issues or problems.
§ Conducts in-country visits to assess the impact of planned and funded activities; to address the concerns and needs in the designated PEPFAR countries; and to reinforce efforts to accomplish program and spending goals. When needed, coordinates visits with other USG and external partners to collaborate on PEPFAR implementation and problem solving.
§ Provides advice and assistance in the preparation of material to be presented to the media, interest groups, Members of Congress and/or their staffs, partner government officials, FBOs, NGOs, etc. on HIV/AIDS issues in the designated PEPFAR countries as appropriate.
§ Assists the Director of Country Program Support in directing the activities of up to five program officers and/or country support team leads.
§ Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
§ Professional knowledge sufficient to evaluate factors and conditions involved in the administration of U.S. foreign policy programs related to HIV/AIDS and to offer feasible recommendations that ensure the most effective and efficient use of available resources;
§ Knowledge of HIV, international trends and the treatment, care, prevention and research associated with this global pandemic;
§ Knowledge of U.S. Government goals, objectives, programs and relationships to provide analytical and advisory services that are responsive to the specialized needs of the countries supported;
§ Strong experience in program management including strategic and operational planning;
§ Minimum of eight (8) years program and personal management with increasing levels of responsibility and seniority over this period of time;
§ Minimum five (5) years of direct program delivery experience with residence in Africa.
§ Experience in preparing and working with budgets and spreadsheets;
§ Ability to establish and maintain working relationships to exchange information and negotiate proposals;
§ Ability to provide advice and consultation to management officials with regard to the policy implications of issues and developments of HIV/AIDS; and
§ Skill in oral and written communication to prepare and present analyses, provide guidance, solicit information, defend proposals and negotiate agreements.
§ Masters level preparation in a relevant discipline with minimum of ten (10) years professional work experience; Bachelors preparation will be considered with fifteen (15) years of professional work experience and a broad and deep range of work experience.
The position requires domestic and international travel.
A Secret security clearance is a requirement for this position. As a result, the incumbent must be a U.S. citizen and possess or be able to obtain a security clearance at this classification level.
