Employment - Open Positions

Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs (OAPA), United States Agency for International Development
Location: Washington, DC
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP-10-188

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute (PHI) in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health, Management Systems International, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. GHFP is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The goal of GHFP is to improve the effectiveness of USAID Population, Health and Nutrition programs by developing and increasing capacity of health professionals in Washington, DC and overseas. This is accomplished through the recruitment, placement and support of junior, mid and senior level health professionals; a diversity initiative focused on providing internship and mentoring opportunities in international public health to underrepresented communities; and professional and organizational development activities to bolster USAID’s ability to maximize results and strengthen its leadership role in global health.

BACKGROUND:

The primary objective of the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs (OAPA) is to optimize USAID assistance to the US Government (USG) reconstruction and development effort in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Office accomplishes its objective by: (1) conducting analyses of, preparing strategies related to, and providing recommendations for enhanced US reconstruction and development activities; (2) representing the Agency in the interagency process, with the Congress, and to external constituencies; (3) ensuring maximum coordination within USAID in support of USG objectives; and (4) supporting the USAID Missions in Kabul and Islamabad, clearing impediments to the successful accomplishment of their work. In its work, the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs supports Afghanistan and Pakistan programs individually, and seeks synergistic activities between the two countries.

The Technical Support team in the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs provides leadership on development issues through analysis, strategy development, project design, and evaluation in the areas of economics, democracy and governance, agriculture, water, energy, infrastructure, health, nutrition, education, conflict mitigation and information technology. It leads strategic thinking in technical areas and advises on the appropriate allocation of resources. It represents the Afghanistan and Pakistan missions in Washington before other bureaus, US government agencies and donors on technical matters and provides extensive support to the field missions.

The Health Advisor works with the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs’ Technical Support Team focusing on supporting the health efforts of the Afghanistan mission. In Afghanistan, the highest rates of morbidity and mortality are among infants, children and mothers during childbirth. There has been considerable change in improving maternal health through increased access and use of reproductive health and maternity services, a 22% decrease in the infant mortality rate (from 165 to 129 per 1,000 births) and a 26% decrease in under-five mortality rates (from 257 to 191 per 1,000 live births). The health of Afghan women and children is in a better state today than in 2002, but much remains to be done. The maternal, infant and child mortality remain highest in the region.

INTRODUCTION:

The Health Advisor for Afghanistan (the Advisor) is assigned to the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs and receives direction from the Director of the Technical Support Team. The Health Advisor also works closely with the Health Advisor for Pakistan, the Senior Public Health Advisor in the Asia and the Middle East (A/ME) Bureaus in order to provide technical expertise and support in the areas of maternal and child health, family planning and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, infectious diseases, and health systems. S/he also liaises closely and calls on the support of the Bureau for Global Health, including the country lead for Afghanistan. In collaboration with the Health Advisor for Pakistan, the Senior Public Health Advisor, the Health Advisor for Afghanistan supports the Health Working Group of the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs, and the Afghanistan Mission’s health programs and activities. The Health Advisor is in daily contact with the health office in Afghanistan. The Health Advisor for Afghanistan also backstops the Health Advisor for Pakistan.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Health Advisor will:

• Provide technical analysis of health status indicators and demographic data; identify priority concerns in the population, health and nutrition sector, make recommendations for action by the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs or the Afghanistan Mission, as appropriate
• Provide assistance to the Afghanistan mission and the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs in the analysis of data and programs towards the design, development and evaluation of health sector activities
• Develop an understanding of Agency strategies and approaches in the health sector, and develop analytic, strategic and program recommendations which demonstrate and/or take into consideration Agency policies and approaches
• Provide technical analysis and review of project proposals, requests for funding, interim and final project reports, annual assessments of program impact, scientific and policy papers, and other documents
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships within the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs, and with the Asia and Middle East Bureaus, the Afghanistan Mission, the Bureau for Global Health and other relevant parts of the Agency
• Research and review current literature and become familiar with regional and country trends, programs, initiatives and projects; develop and maintain up-to-date health information on Afghanistan
• Liaise with the Bureau for Global Health and other US Government departments and agencies, cooperating agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, foundations, private sector organizations and others working in health in Afghanistan
• Write reports, draft strategies, and other documentation as required. Prepare written communications to USAID missions; provide written reviews of projects and activities
• Participate in meetings and briefings with Bureau for Global Health country leads, non-governmental organizations, and other partner organizations working on health related projects in Afghanistan and take the lead in a specific technical area of expertise and specific locations within the regions
• Travel to Afghanistan on TDY up to four times per year for several weeks at a time to provide technical support and help missions monitor their programs
• Stay abreast of USAID programming and the health sector in Pakistan in order to backstop the Health Advisor for Pakistan

Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Technical Advisor’s own interests.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in public health or related field
• Five years’ experience in international health programs or resource poor settings with at least two years’ experience in international /resource poor setting
• Hands-on experience in public health preferably in Afghanistan and/or Pakistan
• General knowledge of health areas: family planning/reproductive health, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, malaria, TB, and health systems
• Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment
• Knowledge of USAID Missions preferred
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving orientation
• Excellent team and networking skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a large bureaucracy, in a collegial environment, and on a large number of tasks simultaneously
• Personal qualities: a high degree of initiative; a commitment to quality and a willingness to participate in a broad range of activities
• Willingness to travel internationally to Afghanistan and Pakistan
• US citizenship required

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary will be based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs http://www.ghfp.net/docs/2010_Benefits_for_GHFP_Fellows.pdf

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP’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 5:00 pm Eastern Time August 16, 2010.

We are proud to be an affirmative action employer.