Public Health Specialist (Prevention) at U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria comprises of the Embassy in Abuja, FCT, and the Consulate General in Lagos. U.S. Consulate General Lagos is the Mission’s representative to the Nigerian people in the southern region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Public Health Specialist (Prevention) - Current Mission Employees, USEFMs, EFMs and MOHs (Prevention Branch Chief)

Announcement Number: Abuja-2022-126
Location: Abuja
Promotion Potential: LE-12
Series/Grade: LE - 0550 12
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
  • For USEFM - FP is 03.  Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
  • Current Employees of the Mission - This includes U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs); Eligible Family Members (EFMs); Declared Members of Household (MOHs), dependents of U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) who are assigned under COM - All Agencies
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period

Summary

• The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 hours per week)
• Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (6 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
• Supervisory Position: Yes
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
• Travel Required: 
  • 25% or less
  • Job holder is required to travel outside of the capital city regularly (at least 25% of the time) via automobile, exposing him/her to road hazards of rural travel

Duties

• The position serves as the Prevention Branch Chief for CDC Nigeria. Incumbent plays a key role in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs aimed at HIV prevention, including preventing sexual transmission of HIV among key and general populations, integrating gender equity/equality and post-violence care into HIV services, eliminating/preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV (eMTCT/PMTCT), and HIV testing services (HTS). 
• The incumbent provides expert technical guidance and advise in the planning of national programs in prevention activities, assists in the development and coordination of assessment activities, and establishes program’s guidelines, procedures, and strategies. 
• Job holder leads the CDC prevention unit, including developing and implementing the CDC prevention strategy, and is primarily responsible for supervising the program specialists and senior program specialists in all areas of HIV prevention. 
• S/he plays a major role in management and oversight of implementing partners for HIV prevention, care and treatment services including project officer responsibilities for assigned CDC Cooperative Agreement(s). 
• Position is an LE Direct Hire appointed position and will have supervisory responsibilities over all Prevention unit staff including USDHs (as assigned).

Qualifications and Evaluations
Education Requirements:

• A minimum of MBBS / MD is required. Additional postgraduate degree in public health, medical sciences, epidemiology and/or behavioral sciences is required.
• N.B: NYSC Certificate or Exemption document is required.

Experience: 

• Minimum of five years’ work experience in the management of HIV programs (Prevention, Care, and /or Treatment) at the local, state, national, or international levels, including responsibility for program planning, implementation, and evaluation. 
• Should possess knowledge and experience in various components of HIV prevention (such as PMTCT, HTS, and HIV sexual transmission prevention) that indicates the ability to consult and collaborate effectively with all levels both within and outside the agency. 
• The incumbent should also have experience in the use of measurement methods required for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of public health programs, including quantitative and qualitative research.  
• Two years of managerial experience is also required.

Job Knowledge:  

• Incumbent should possess thorough knowledge and experience in HIV prevention programs including HIV Testing Services, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, gender equity/equality and GBV, and HIV sexual transmission prevention services for key and priority populations. 
• A broad-spectrum experience across the continuum of HIV prevention, care and treatment cascade including viral load monitoring and suppression is desirable. 
• The incumbent should have a professional knowledge and understanding of the principles of organizational management and the application of program management skills. 
• Additionally, the incumbent should possess comprehensive knowledge of program evaluation strategies to be employed, including techniques, principles, methods, and data analysis related to epidemiology. 
• The incumbent should possess expert knowledge of the translation of evaluation data as it pertains to the improvement of program operations, guidelines, and policies. 
• Detailed knowledge of the host government health care system and structures including familiarity with FMOH policies, program priorities and regulations. 
• Familiarity with USG HIV/AIDS public health programs, strategies, methods, processes, and techniques used to plan, develop, implement and evaluate results of prevention programs is required.

Evaluations:

• This may be tested.  Please specify your level of proficiency in the language listed.

Language: 

• Fluent written/spoken/reading English is required.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Skill in providing leadership, direction, and technical expertise in the management and evaluation of public health programs is required. This includes the development of evaluation designs, use of reliable and valid instruments, and methods for data collection, analysis, and reports. 
• Ability to lead project teams and workgroups and to develop effective working relationships with national and international working partners is essential for this position. This includes the ability to independently resolve problems related to supervision of personnel, program policy, and program operations. 
• Ability to readily analyze, understand and discuss new program design, management, and implementation approaches. Demonstrated ability to identify priority actions, generate and complete work plans within short time frames. 
• The incumbent will be expected to exercise considerable ingenuity in applying guidelines to unique and different settings, as the work is highly complex and can be threatening to stakeholders. 
• As the Prevention Branch Chief in the division of global HIV and Tuberculosis (DGHT) within CDC Nigeria, the incumbent will also be expected to exercise considerable innovation during attempts to influence collaborating organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS programs to adopt appropriate implementation and monitoring strategies for their program activities that are in line with USG and FMOH guidelines and priorities. 
• Ability to lead different teams and work groups and to develop effective working relationships with national and international partners is required. 
• Incumbent should possess standard computer skills with experience/training for word processing, PowerPoint and excel spreadsheets. 
• Good keyboard skills with speed and accuracy are required and will be tested.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):  

• The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Qualifications:

• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

Other Information:

• For the current COVID-19 Requirements please visit the following link.

Hiring Preference Selection Process:  

• Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

Hiring Preference Order:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

* Important

• Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability dated within the past six months, equivalent documentation, or certification.  
• A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. 
• The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given. 
• ** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
• For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link .

Marketing Statement:

• We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Salary
NGN 20,039,818 (USD 89,702) / Annum

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits
Agency Benefits:

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Abuja, Nigeria may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
• For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
• The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

Application Closing Date
18th November, 2022