GH-TAMS welcomes applications for a six-month HIV Testing Services (HTS) Sr. Technical Consultant assignment, with the assignment directed from USAID/Washington The consultant will be based at home and field-based (pending USAID policies allowing travel post-COVID) for technical assignments in-country as determined by country need and USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) priorities. Countries of work will include PEPFAR priority countries as determined by USAID/OHA to address technical extension for HIV testing services. The assignment will begin in early February.
Background
The Bureau for Global Health’s (GH) Office of HIV/AIDS is the focus of HIV and AIDS technical leadership for USAID and has primary responsibility for leading the Agency’s efforts within President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a multibillion-dollar, multi-faceted approach to combating the disease in more than 120 countries around the world. In cooperation with the US Department of State’s Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator, other U.S. Government (USG) partners, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations, USAID provides global technical leadership on the full range of issues related to HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment; manages numerous research and field support programs; and monitors the impact of the Agency’s HIV and AIDS programs. In this endeavor, USAID works very closely with a range of USG agencies involved in the fight against AIDS, such as the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. the Department of Defense and Peace Corps
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The HTS Advisor will be located in the Behavioral and Structural Interventions Branch of the Prevention, Care and Treatment Division. The HTS advisor will report directly to the HIV Testing Services Team Lead and/or the BSI Branch Chief.
Role and Responsibilities
Working collaboratively with the HIV Testing Services Senior Technical Advisors in OHA, the Advisor will provide HTS technical assistance and oversight to the field. The HTS Technical Advisor will assist in applying strong data analytic skills to programs, amplifying targeted technical assistance for USAID HIV programs focusing on HIV testing and clinical continuum services and prevention cascades. Emphasis will be on implementation, policies, strategies, HIV diagnosis, and proven strategies for HIV active case-finding (including HIV self-testing and expanding and ensuring safe and ethical index testing services) and linkage to HIV treatment, “Test & Start” programming. S/he will provide technical and programmatic advice as well as collaborate with USAID and/or USG staff on the HIV Testing Services Interagency Communities of Practice; short-term technical team support or within USAID/OHA. Planning, implementing and reporting support for Country Operating Plans (COP) including strategic planning at a country level for COP 2021 will be critical. Specific responsibilities include:
● Assisting in the development, implementation and reporting of PEPFAR-supported USAID programs and projects focusing on HIV testing services and critical issues along the clinical cascade relating to the 1st two 90s (testing and linkage to treatment) of the UNAIDS Goals (90% of PLHIV diagnosed and 90% initiated on HIV treatment).
● Provide targeted technical assistance to the field, and as appropriate, with travel to the field for direct TA as required either virtually at times aligned with programs (early morning or late night may be required) and/or in person as is feasible within the context of COVID restrictions.
● Review reports and data from HTS partners and PEPFAR data systems, and provide an analysis of the program direction, progress towards meeting targets and identification of key programmatic gap areas.
Qualifications
● Master’s degree or higher in public health, epidemiology, science or other relevant fields required.
● Experience in working with USAID, USAID Missions, host country governments, implementing partners (preferably on HIV), community-based organizations, and/or other bilateral donors internationally
● Demonstrated data interpretation and analytical skills
● Understanding of USG processes and requirements as related to PEPFAR programming required
● Comprehensive understanding of HIV/AIDS counseling and testing services and critical issues along the cascade of HIV Treatment.
● Evidence of excellent interpersonal, facilitation and teambuilding skills/experience required
● Demonstrated ability in maintaining close counterpart relationships, both governmental and in the partner, community is highly preferred
● Strong knowledge of USAID procedures and experience with USAID missions
● Demonstrated leadership skills in negotiating and managing diplomatically sensitive issues
The Global Health Technical Assistance and Mission Support Project (GH-TAMS) is a five-year USAID-funded activity providing the Bureau for Global Health (GH) and USAID field missions with high quality technical expertise to achieve the Agency's foreign assistance global health mission. With start-up in the fall of 2019, GH-TAMS follows the success of the Global Health Program Cycle Improvement (GH Pro) Project.
GH-TAMS technical assistance covers a broad range of technical areas and cross-cutting issues such as HIV/AIDS. family planning, MNCH, infectious disease, TB, health finance, reproductive health, organizational development, OVC, project design, facilitation, M&E and strategic planning.
Project assignments are located in Washington D.C. and worldwide in Africa, Asia and elsewhere. Assignments typically range from two weeks to six months in duration.
