POSITION:                   Senior Technical Officer

BAND:                         TBD    

REPORTS TO:              TBD

LOCATION:                 Boston, MA or Arlington, VA

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior Technical Officer will be the Project's lead technical expert providing leadership and technical assistance to a project in the United States whose goal is to improve the capacity of countries in high risk areas to respond to outbreaks of emergent zoonotic diseases that pose a serious threat to human health.  Project objectives are to (1) Improve the training capacity within countries and regions for skills necessary to respond to any suspected outbreaks of emergent epizoonotic diseases that pose a serious threat to human health; (2) improve the linkages among animal and health organizations in responding to outbreaks of emerging zoonotic diseases of potential public health impact; (3) improve the capacity of countries and regions to conduct investigations of suspected outbreaks of emergent epizoonotic diseases that pose a serious threat to human health; and (4) introduce technologies to improve the capability of field epidemiologists to conduct surveillance and outbreak investigations.  The estimated period of performance is 5 years, depending on availability of funds.  This position is contingent upon MSH receiving the project award.

The Senior Technical Officer will work to increase international capacity to deliver services and promote best practices through the identification, documentation, and the use of evidence-based state of the art practices.

This position is contingent upon MSH receiving the project award.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 1. Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Project's technical assistance strategies.
• 2. Coordinate the Project's activities with partner organizations and other partners at the state and federal levels.
• 3. Collaborate with the Director and other team members in fully integrating activities into the Project's overall goals.
• 4. Participate in state- and federal-level national technical review meetings and serve as an advisor to Ministry of Health officials on relevant technical issues.
• 5. Provide technical assistance to guide state- and federal-level officials in the planning and management of project activities.
• 6. Assist in identifying requirements for technical assistance and develop appropriate scopes of work; work with short-term consultants to maximize benefit and follow-up of short-term assignments.
• 7. Assist the Director, Deputy Director, other Senior Advisors, and USAID in monitoring progress of project objectives. Ensure that project activities are in line with USAID strategic priorities in service delivery.
• 8. Document and share lessons learned in the format of project reports, publications and presentations at all levels.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1. Minimum of a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine, related science, or equivalent field
• 2. A minimum of five years experience working on international projects;
• 3. Demonstrated ability to work with multiple partners on collaborative projects
• 4. Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with senior Government personnel, international organizations, NGO partners, host country governments, and U. S. Government Agencies
• 5. Demonstrated competence in assessing priorities and in managing a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment, and in meeting deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• 6. Strategic thinker with people skills and managerial, coordination, and organizational skills.
• 7. Fluency in English, including speaking, reading, and writing.
• 8. Excellent organization and management skills.
• 9. Willingness to travel extensively within Nigeria.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

To apply for this position, please visit the Employment Opportunities section of our website at