Project Advisor

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Project Advisor will provide oversight and direction to the surveillance and emergency preparedness and response components of the CDC-funded project. Reporting to ICAP’s Country Director, s/he will be responsible for overseeing the planning and implementation of strategies to respond to public health crises at the national, regional and district levels.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Guide the development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of emergency response activities consistent with approved work plans, including supporting events-based surveillance (EBS), integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR), threat and hazard identification risk assessment (THIRA), and emergency operations centers (EOCs); closely liaise with key stakeholders at the national level from MoHCDGEC, PORALG, and others.
• Oversee implementation of the emergency preparedness and response operations plans and strategies and ensures that all deliverables are achieved.
• Oversee and facilitate the capacity building, training, and mentoring of stakeholders and service providers, specifically surge staff and frontline responders, on emergency preparedness and response with emphasis on epidemic-prone infectious diseases and pandemics.
• In close collaboration with the government authorities and national coordinating bodies, support the development of integrated disease surveillance and response systems, including event-based surveillance and data visualization to identify unusual events, case-finding, contact tracing, epidemiologic and laboratory analyses, infection prevention control, program evaluation, social mobilization, community engagement, and psychosocial care.
• Ensure the continuity of non-outbreak-related public health activities in line with national emergency preparedness and response strategy.
• Lead in the development, improvement, and dissemination of procedures, guidelines, policies and other standard operating procedures (SOPs) on emergency preparedness and response, including setting up virtual training spaces and data visualization dashboards for use at local, district, regional and national levels.
• Ensure that health care workers in health facilities and surveillance teams are capacitated and supported to implement emergency preparedness and response activities through remote learning networks.
• Manage the establishment and implementation of rapid response strategies and emergency preparedness centers for small and large-scale infectious disease outbreaks and other public health or humanitarian emergencies.
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• Design and oversee monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance needed to ensure that emergency preparedness and response deliverables are on track and adhere to donor and key stakeholder requirements. 

Education: 

• Advanced degree holder in public health, social sciences, medicine, nursing or other relevant health-related fields from a recognized institution; a Ph.D. or master’s degree in public health, health security, or epidemiology is preferred.

Experience, Skills, and Minimum Qualifications:  

• At least 6 years of progressive experience managing and leading a national or international public health emergency response related to infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics, intentional or accidental releases of dangerous pathogens, or other largescale natural emergencies that had a significant impact on public health.
  • Including at least 3 years’ experience at a senior or supervisory level working in national or international health or development organizations with extensive knowledge of health systems and structures related to public health emergency response.
  • Experience managing grants and/or meeting reporting requirements for donor-funded activities will be an advantage
• Solid understanding of national health-related emergency preparedness and response systems, protocols, and standards related to global health security and international health regulation (IHR2005).
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of national and/or international public health emergency response surveillance systems (IDSR and event-based surveillance) including case detection, reporting, investigation, and contact tracing.
• Ability to work with laboratories to establish and monitor quality indicators that may be population dependent (e.g. assay positivity rates)
• Experience with health information and data management and applicable data systems such as DHIS2.
• Proven experience in establishing working relationships and collaborating with the Tanzania government stakeholders and with relevant government agencies.
• Proven ability to write technical reports, program documents, and deliver presentations.
• Fluent in English, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50% of the time, including to remote areas