Senior Health Systems Strengthening Advisor

1. Position Title: Senior Health Systems Strengthening Advisor 2. Market Value: GS-13 Equivalent ($85,544 to $111,203). Final compensation will be based upon the candidate past salary and work history, experience, and educational background of the successful candidate. 3. Place of Performance: Kampala, Uganda 4. Period of Performance: Two year Contract. 5. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Uganda seeks to employ a U.S. Personal Services Contractor who will be primarily responsible for the strategic direction, technical guidance and administrative expertise related to HSS efforts and linkages to the USAID Mission as a whole, other USG agencies, the Government of Uganda (GOU), donors, and other Implementing Partners (IPs). 6. Education: An advanced degree in health economics, public health, social sciences, public policy, or other field related to international development and/or public health is required. 7. Experience: Minimum of ten years of progressive responsible experience in health systems strengthening, including issues of health financing, human resources for health, institutional capacity building, health systems strengthening and program design. Experience working with health systems and health care reform at the national and/or local (district/community/service facility) level is required. Experience in program design, strategic planning, program management, implementation, and evaluation of health programs with demonstrated technical expertise in health systems strengthening, particularly in a developing country context is required. Experience working collaboratively with senior, managerial, technical host-country counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders at national and decentralized levels. 8. Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of challenges faced by national health ministries and programs in Africa, and in particular, health financing, human resources for health and institutional capacity building, cost analysis, and efficiency indicators for health care. A comprehensive knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques and practices of health systems strengthening is required. Strong technical skills and demonstrated experience in providing technical support and capacity building for health systems strengthening, especially in the area of health financing and human resources for health. In-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art approaches that strengthen human resources for health and governance systems in developing countries. Working knowledge of the USG programming, process, documentation and business practices is desirable. 9. Skills and Abilities: Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy, are required to establish and maintain a wide range of senior-level and working-level contacts with health programs in governmental, non-governmental, and private-sector circles. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate in a multi-agency setting. Demonstrated leadership ability and interpersonal skills including flexibility, patience, facilitation, team building and conflict/problem solving skills required in a cross-cultural environment. Demonstrated success in working in complex office operations, often under pressure of short deadlines, and multiple demands. Demonstrated outstanding writing and speaking/presentation skills in the English, and in preparing analytic briefings for key USG and other leaders/decision makers. Strong management and analytical skills required to strategize, develop, manage, implement and evaluate effective health systems strengthening activities. Strong financial management and administrative skills are necessary to track the performance of implementing partners. Computer literacy, including ease and skill in using word processing programs, email, spreadsheet applications, and presentation software; and familiarity with the worldwide web. 10. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated and ranked based on the criteria listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the criteria on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards that are relevant to each factor. 11. Notice to Applicants: USAID reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the applicant's past performance, technical knowledge, required skills, including teamwork and team-building experience and may consider such information in its evaluation. Shortlisted candidates may be required to submit writing samples and/or do a written test. USAID/Uganda shall not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Introduction: The Senior HSS Advisor will possess mastery of the highly specialized skills, knowledge and experience related to HSS. The incumbent will give strategic direction, technical guidance and administrative expertise to the DO3's HSS efforts and linkages to the USAID Mission as a whole, other USG agencies, the Government of Uganda (GOU), donors, and other Implementing Partners (IPs). The incumbent will work closely with USAID team members supporting key health systems strengthening areas including health financing, human resources for health (HRH), Leadership and Governance and institutional capacity building. The incumbent will work with high-level officials in the GOU including the Ministries of Finance, Health, and Education and Sports, the Public Service Commission; USG Agencies including the CDC, State Department, Department of Defence, Peace Corps, and National Institutes of Health, and donors and IPs to achieve the intended Mission results, particularly in HSS. Specifically, the incumbent will provide highly specialized technical and professional leadership to plan, implement, monitor, and oversee selected DO3 activities related to improved health systems including health financing and human resources for health. The incumbent will have responsibility for ensuring coordination of USAID-funded programs through a variety of governmental and non-governmental partners at national, district, and community levels. The role of the incumbent will include planning, designing, organizing, directing, and coordinating development programs and arranging for monitoring and evaluation of activities implemented by NGOs, CBOs, UN Agencies and other partner organizations through grants, cooperative agreements, and/or contracts. The incumbent will be responsible for program activities that: work to improve the functioning of health systems through new and innovative systems, strengthen existing systems and structures, and support innovative approaches to improve long-term sustainability. In addition, the incumbent will exercise considerable judgment and discretion in dealing with senior and mid-level partners in other USG agencies, with the GOU, donors, other local organizations, and IPs regarding health systems strengthening. The incumbent is expected to perform any additional duties necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of USAID/Uganda. Major duties and responsibilities: The responsibilities of the Senior HSS Advisor are prioritized as follows: 1. Technical Leadership and Advocacy in HSS (40%): A. Serve as the primary technical advisor on health systems strengthening issues to the DO3 leadership, USAID Front Office, and work closely with the USG PEPFAR team, GHI Interagency team and other USG agency health teams. Ensure that all HSS activities are appropriately integrated with DO3 and larger Mission activities. B. Lead the PEPFAR inter-agency HSS Technical Working Group and other relevant fora in planning and improving the USAID and USG portfolio on HSS-related projects and activities in the public and private health sector of Uganda. C. Analyse the scope and magnitude of the HSS needs in Uganda, notably in the potential expansion of USAID support to strengthen health systems for improved access to quality health services and long-term sustainability. D. Provide technical support to the MOH and other GOU and USAID/USG IPs on the program design and implementation of HSS activities. Ensure program investments are consistent with international norms and standards and are synergistic with other investments made by the USG and partnering agencies. E. Monitor current public health literature, reports, international guidelines and standards and best practices in HSS and provide recommendations in developing innovative approaches to designing, implementing and evaluating health and systems related programs in Uganda. 2. Project Management (35%): A. Serve as USAID's Contracting/Agreement Officer Representative (C/AOR) and/or Activity Manager for bilateral and field supported HSS activities. As C/AOR, the Senior HSS Advisor will: ensure suitable monitoring and reporting systems are in place, providing technical input in the development of Performance Monitoring Plans (PMPs); review, approve, and ensure compliance with IP annual work plans and budgets; conduct regular site visits to monitor activities and verify asset use; guide IPs to adhere to USAID and USG policies and procedures; review all written reports submitted by IPs and furnish feedback; maintain program files, and other duties and responsibilities as outlined in USAID rules, regulations, policies, and other forms of appropriate guidance. B. Serve as principal advisor on HSS to all DO3 health partners. Develop and monitor the implementation of the Mission HSS policy in Uganda. This includes critical planning to ensure that the program remains appropriate to the country context and reflects the needs of all USG funded health programs. C. Provide strategic technical advice for, and prepare portions of key USG procurement, planning and budget documents, including the Operational Plan and the PEPFAR Country Operational Plan, semi-annual and annual progress reports, Congressional Notifications, etc. 3. Multi-agency Coordination and Strategic Partnership in HSS (20%) A. Lead collaboration and coordination efforts with the GOU, donors, and other relevant partners on HSS to ensure technical and programmatic synergy. B. Provide USAID leadership in fostering strategic partnerships among donors including Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the World Bank on strengthen systems in both the public and private sector. These partnerships have the potential to leverage tens of millions of USG for health systems programs in Uganda in order for USAID investments to have greater impact on public and private health systems. C. Serve as USAID/Uganda's representative on relevant GOU's various ministry working groups relevant to HSS, including the MOH/HRH Working Groups, representing USAID with multi-lateral donor coordination organizations, defining the donor technical, policy, program agenda with the MOH and other Ministries. D. Lead coordination efforts between USAID and other USG implementing partners around HSS issues. 4. Other (5%): Perform other duties related to HSS and Mission priorities as assigned including, but not limited to: A. Organize and participate in field visits by external parties that highlight USAID's HSS activities. B. Make recommendations to the Mission on program directions and management. The Senior HSS Advisor is supervised by the Systems Strengthening Unit Leader, with overall supervision and inputs from the DO3 Office Director. For detailed scope of work and evaluation criteria, please send email to gnakaddu@usaid.gov