Project Management Specialist - Tuberculosis at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking to employ a suitable and qualified candidate for the position below:

Job Title: Project Management Specialist – Tuberculosis

Solicitation No.: AID-620-S-00-18-00012-00
Location: Abuja
Period of Performance: Five (5) years renewable
Security Level Required: SBU

Basic Function of the Position

• This position is for a Senior Nigerian, locally hired medical professional to serve as a Project Management Specialist (Tuberculosis). The primary responsibility is working with the TB Control and Resource Mobilization Group to ensure implementation and scale-up of TB and TB/HIV interventions.
• To also interact with Implementing Partners (IPs) in managing day-today TB and TB/HIV related activities, monitoring and evaluating progress of IP activities affecting TB and TB/HIV, and providing technical advice on TB to members of the TB/HIV Team and to other IP staff as needed.
• The Project Management Specialist (Tuberculosis) serves as an Activity Manager and provides technical and program expertise to the HIV/AIDS-TB Team and the TB Control and Resource Mobilization Group.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
Program/Project Management - 45%:

• The Project Management Specialist (Tuberculosis) and HIV/AIDS-TB serves as Activity Manager for selected Implementing Partners (IPs). Coordinates TB and TB/HIV activities, and facilitates implementation of the global PEPFAR strategy, ensuring high quality TB treatment services are being provided in accordance with national and international standards, following best practices procedures, in the many varied sites supported by USAID through IPs.
• S/he is responsible for timely implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of assigned aspects of the HIV/AIDS and TB Office’s portfolio and for the management of service delivery projects valued at more than $10 million over a five year period. This includes acting as Activity Manager of field support activities, participating in design of new programs/projects and evaluation of ongoing programming, advising the Mission and other stakeholders including Ministry of Health (MoH) and other donors, and helping relevant sector-wide technical working groups with the MoH and other donors, and helping USAID/Nigeria integrate TB and TB/HIV interventions into other areas of its portfolio, including health, HIV/AIDS, education and the conflict affected areas of the country.
• Monitors and evaluates USAID TB and TB/HIV programs and services through site visits, reporting, and trends analysis. Works in close collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Logistics Manager to ensure availability, quality, and distribution of drugs and reagents needed to diagnose and treat tuberculosis. Facilitates the development of IP work plans, Performance Management Plan (PMPs), and coordinates preparations for IP review. Participates in the review of annual, semi-annual and quarterly IP reports and requests or participates in other reports asneeded.
• Conducts site visits for technical oversight of TB and TB/HIV programs. Coordinates temporary duties (TDYs) related to TB and TB/HIV activities for the TB/HIV team. The work requires the Project Management Specialist to remain current on clinical, epidemiological, political, and global trends related to public health work and to analyze those trends in relation to their impact on managed TB programs. Keep abreast of current publications and information on international TB and TB/HIV issues and concerns, and its programming in developing countries, in order to advise the Mission on all issues related to TB and TB/HIV activities.
• The Project Management Specialist (Tuberculosis) will build and further develop the learning agenda for TB strengthening particularly related to laboratory, supply chain and the private sector.
• Establish analyses, assessments, program evaluations or reviews that are required to inform programming and implementation of course corrections.

Technical Advice and Advocacy - 35%:

• The Project Specialist works to strengthen USAID strategic and programmatic directions, and the ability to address issues in HIV/AIDS-TB, with special emphasis on TB.
• Develop appropriate opportunities to integrate awareness of internationally recognized best practices in TB treatment and TB Program Implementation across all USAID/Nigeria Implementing Partners, including awareness of the effects of high levels of TB on economic growth, peace, democracy and governance, etc.
• Assists senior USG, Mission, Office, Team and Work Group staff in representing USAID to IPs, NGOs, Government of Nigeria (GoN) agencies, and other national and international groups and bodies, in order to develop effective and sustainable strategies for scaling up of TB and TB/HIV treatment services to meet national and international standards, and to achieve national and PEPFAR goals.
• Collaborate with other Care and Treatment Work Group members, in preparation and presentation of PEPFAR deliverables. Assist in monitoring Mission and USG progress towards meeting TB and TB/HIV objectives.

Other Project Management Activities - 20%:

• The Project Management Specialist (Tuberculosis) is responsible for maintaining a liaison between USAID and the GON and with other stakeholders in the areas of TB and TB/HIV, and for providing technical guidance and leadership at the national level, including participation in government-led health partners meetings, keeps abreast of trends, policies, needs, and other donor programs in the area, and advises the USG Team in the implementation of best practices.
• Support ongoing and constantly improving relations with the GoN, IPs, other USG Agencies, and external organizations and counterparts. Ensures capacity is developed in technical TB treatment and mitigation areas. Participates in budgeting and financial analysis with other work Groups, and with other groups and/or teams in areas related to TB and TB/HIV.
• Mentors Project Management Assistants and Administrative Assistants and backstops other Care and Treatment

Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position
Education:

• A University Degree in Medicine (MBBS, MD) and a Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH) or equivalent are required.

Prior Work Experience:

• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible professional level experience in infectious disease, increasing responsibility for human, financial, or material resources and at least, 5 years of TB experience, both at the field implementation and policy levels is required.
• Demonstrated experience in: strategic planning, policy formulation, providing technical leadership, facilitating private-sector partnerships, and program management in a complex and highly sensitive environment; experience working successfully in a team environment; and demonstrated experience of team management is also required.

Post Entry Training:

• On-the-job training will be provided relating to USAID-specific procedures, regulations, and methods, including, USAID and PEPFAR TB Policies, procedures and regulations, the Automated Directive System (ADS), Mission Orders, and planning and reporting databases.
• Formal A/COR certification courses will be provided, and program/projects management and other appropriate training courses will be offered, subject to course offerings and the availability of funds.

Language Proficiency:

• (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency requirements by level and specialization) Level IV (fluent) English oral and writing ability is required.

Job Knowledge:

• Knowledge of major issues affecting people with or affected by TB and HIV/AIDS in all geographic regions in Nigeria is required, including technical, social and cultural aspects. State-of-the-art, specialized knowledge of the public health aspects of managing TB and HIV/AIDS-TB programs, and evidence-based treatment practices and policies (for TB in particular) are required. A demonstrated knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of GoN policies and programs in the sector is required.
• A thorough knowledge of the Nigerian economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics, and the history of development assistance, in particular, as relates to health in Nigeria, including current trends and directions is desired.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to work effectively with mid and senior level public and private sector officials from the Government of Nigeria (GoN) and IPs.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment, and coordinate well with others.
• Must be ableto develop effective and collaborative manager-to-manager relationships with IPs.
• Thework requires excellent writing and computer skills, in order to develop presentations, reports, etc.
• Diplomacy, tact, cultural sensitivity, and Team participation are required, in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships within USAID/Nigeria, and with the Nigeria public and private sectors.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and stay organized in a complex, frequently changing environment is a requirement.
• Demonstrated advanced analytical skills and problem solving, as well as the ability to effectively manage stress and conflict is required.

Physical Demands:

• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Evaluation and Selection Factors
Applications will be required to have the minimum qualifications expressed in Section II. Qualified applicants possessing skills above the minimum requirements will be assessed based on the following factors:

• Education (10 points)
• Work Experience (20 points)
• Knowledge (30 points)
• Language Proficiency (10 points)
• Skills and abilities (30 points)

Market Value

• N11,335,349.00 equivalent to FSN-10 In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of United States Mission, Nigeria (Effective July 8, 2018). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

Benefits/Allowances
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:
Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)
• Annual and Sick leave
• Annual Bonus

Allowances (as applicable):

• Transportation Allowance
• Meal Allowance
• Miscellaneous Allowance
• Housing Allowance

Taxes:

• The Mission emphasize to its employees of the fact that they are obliged to observe Nigerian
• Laws, including those concerning income and related tax obligations.
• Payment of such taxes is a matter between the individual employee and the Nigerian Government.
• In the absence of a specific international agreement, the U.S. Government will not withhold local taxes from an employee’s salary.

Application Closing Date
7th August, 2018.

• Application for US Federal Employment (DS - 174) ; or a current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as a DS - 174;
• Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g.transcripts, degrees, NYSC certificate/exemption etc.)
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position, and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Please reference the job title and announcement number on the application letter.
• Limit all electronic (e-mail) submission to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures.
• E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section IV.
• To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.

Note

• Per this scoring rubric, Work Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the most important factors. Applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a short list of applicants developed.
• USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicants in person or by phone OR not to interview any candidate.
• After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.
• As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant.
• Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their applications.