SOCIAL SECTOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR (HEALTH AND EDUCATION) SANA'A, YEMEN

The Global Health Fellows Program is seeking a Technical Advisor II: Social Sector Technical Advisor (Health and Education) (GHFP-11-231) in Sana'a. Assignment: Two year fellowship. This is an UNACCOMPANIED post due to imminent danger areas at which family members are not authorized to reside. 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, and 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 the 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. INTRODUCTION: Yemen faces significant development and political challenges. With weak governance, pervasive poverty, widespread corruption, severely constrained foreign investment and oil revenues that will disappear within a decade, Yemen's human development indicators are comparable to many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Its population, nearly half of which is illiterate and almost as many unemployed, is expected to double in the next 15 years. Water scarcity and food insecurity contribute to abysmal health and nutrition indicators, and quality healthcare and family planning services are lacking for much of the population. USAID assistance to Yemen, aimed at mitigating these "drivers" of instability and conflict, is vital to US national interests in the region, and homegrown reform movements in the region make for real opportunities to support social, economic and democratic development. The current USAID program includes an innovative and highly integrated community livelihoods program and a responsive governance effort, both designed to improve service delivery and promote social-economic and democratic development. Health interventions aim to improve the health status of Yemeni women and children and to strengthen family planning and maternal and child health services. Education investments are focused on providing access and availability of quality basic education. USAID/Yemen requires the expertise and advisory services of a social sector professional with experience in the design, management and evaluation of public health and basic education programs. Particular knowledge areas required include: family planning and reproductive health, maternal/ neonatal and child health, nutrition, community-based service delivery and quality care, basic education, literacy, educational access and quality, along with health and education policy issues. A key objective for the position is to promote better integration and linkages between basic education, maternal health, child health, family planning, and community-based efforts arising from community grievances and broader public service delivery and policy issues. The Social Sector Advisor (the Advisor) will provide technical and programmatic guidance in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of USG-financed population, health and education activities, and advise on appropriate opportunities for providing US Government (USG) assistance to these social sectors. S/he will receive day-to-day direction from the Deputy of the Technical Office. The Advisor will work collaboratively with and mentor up to three locally engaged USAID staff and USAID's implementing partners conducting on health and education activities on working in the USAID context. The Advisor will also represent USAID's technical perspective in meetings with multilateral and bilateral donors, the Yemen government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and other key stakeholders involved in population, health and education sector assistance. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Social Sector Technical Advisor will: Technical & Strategic Leadership 50%: Advise on basic education and population, health, and nutrition matters in Yemen, serving as subject matter expert to the USAID Mission and the US Embassy. Serve as a technical resource, assisting in planning a broad range of education, population, family and public health, and nutrition activities, including identifying opportunities for integrating sound development and stabilization principles and practices within USAID's integrated program and responding to local needs. Analyze policy and institutional constraints to improved education, maternal and child, family planning, and public health in Yemen and recommend courses of action. Identify education- and health-related priorities, gender issues and suitable approaches within the USAID/Yemen program. Maintain current knowledge on policies, concepts, practices, procedures, guidelines, and models, including USG and USAID policies and initiatives (such as USAID's Education Strategy, BEST health practices and other Global Health and the Feed the Future Initiatives) and share related information with and provide guidance and advice to USAID staff and implementing partners. Advise on policy and institutional capacity issues in the two sectors and recommend approaches to effective intervention. Identify knowledge gaps and needs for further analysis, surveys and assessments. Activity-level Monitoring and Management 30%: Advise USAID's Contracting/ Agreement Officer's Technical Representative (C/AOTRs) and activity managers on the development, implementation, and impact of all USAID/Yemen education- and health-related interventions. Monitor and support effective project implementation, serving as a technical resource and advisor to implementing partners. Assure compliance of USAID/Yemen health and education programming relative to funding restrictions and other regulatory requirements, such as Mission compliance with family planning guidelines. Perform a variety of duties related to special projects or activities involving health and education issues. Planning and Reporting 10%: Review reports, analyze statistical and demographic data, and keep abreast of current research pertaining to international development and educational and public health issues in Yemen. Participate and assist in the development of plans and programming of technical assistance and activities, including emergency and humanitarian relief. Assist in conceptualizing, designing, documenting, and managing new bilateral or centrally-administered projects. Develop concept papers, project authorizations, and project amendments in line with Agency regulations and guidance. Draft periodic reporting documents, program highlights, reporting cables, and relevant sections for required annual and ad hoc reporting and planning processes, including the Operational Plan, Mission Strategic Resource Plan, and the Performance Report, ensuring that information is current and accurate. Oversee USAID/Yemen reporting on all health- and education-related indicators and issues, including review and revision of implementing partner Performance Monitoring Plans that relate to the two sectors. Coordination 10%: Coordinate assigned activities and maintain good professional relations with colleagues from other USAID entities (including USAID's Washington bureaus and offices, especially EGAT, OFDA, OTI, and FFP), the Department of State, other USG agencies, international donors, implementers, and the Yemen government. Liaise with counterparts and stakeholders in other USAID regional and central bureaus, providing input in the development of Agency-wide policies, strategies, performance indicators, assessments, and best practices, such as the Mission's BEST Workplan and approaches to USAID's Global Health Initiative and Education Strategy. Participate in and contribute to health and education policy dialogue meetings and discussions. Technically represent USAID/ Yemen in donor coordination and host country initiatives related to both the health and education sectors. Coordinate special crosscutting initiatives and task force groups to ensure accomplishment of programmatic goals. Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Advisor's own interests. REQUIREMENTS: Master's degree in international or public health, medicine, education or a related field, with emphasis on community-level social services and/or policy in education and/or health. Minimum five years' progressively responsible experience working for international health, population and/or education programs, especially in the design and development of programs, technically guiding the implementation of programs, monitoring and evaluating program progress, and project management. At least three years' experience in strategic planning, analytical, and programmatic skills within the context of developing countries or resource challenged settings supporting development programs. Analytic skills and capacity to assess information and devise creative and appropriate solutions to implementation challenges. Current knowledge of best practices, and current research and development trends in public health and education, including gender issues. Project management experience, including a proven record of effective oversight, program management, work plan development and monitoring, meeting deadlines and producing results. Specific USAID experience in program planning, project design, budgeting and reporting systems and procedures preferred. Experience having worked with a USAID mission highly desirable, as well as experience working at the national level with high level officials in a developing country. Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment. Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and carryout activities successfully. A high degree of judgment and problem solving skills. English fluency required. US Citizenship. Ability to obtain medical clearance to live and work in Sana'a, Yemen. 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/2011_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.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 7/20/2011. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer.