SUSTAINING TECHNICAL AND ANALYTIC RESOURCES

FELLOWSHIP TITLE: Operational Research and Strategic Information Technical Advisor

HOST ORGANIZATION: National Center for TB and Leprosy Control, Ministry of Health

LOCATION: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

POSITION LEVEL: Mid-Career Technical Advisor

STAR-P1-075

TRAVEL: 40% estimated travel

STAR PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Sustaining Technical and Analytic Resources (STAR) is a project of the Public Health Institute (PHI) supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Global Health (GH) Bureau. Its purpose is twofold: (1) Through individual fellowships, STAR will help strengthen the capacity of diverse American and low-and-middle-income country (LMIC) health professionals at all levels to make innovative contributions to global health (GH); and (2) STAR will create ground-breaking opportunities for both US and LMIC GH academic institutions and other groups, including professional associations, to create systems for open-access knowledge sharing, resulting in effective partnerships. STAR’s individual and institutional participants are contributing to the development of self-sustaining systems and tools that will produce global citizens with the full spectrum of relevant health competencies. STAR is managed by the Public Health Institute and implemented in partnership with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH).

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

The STAR Fellowship is a two-year global health and learning opportunity with:

• Individualized, tailored support to enhance the fellow’s achievement personal and professional goals
• Personalized learning plans and access to learning resources (courses, conferences, mentoring) based on fellow’s learning style and preferences.
• Access to broad professional networks to enhance peer learning and knowledge sharing.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Background:

USAID is a leader in the global fight against tuberculosis (TB) and supports anti-TB efforts in high burden TB countries. The STAR Fellowship is a key component of the USAID Administrator's TB Accelerator initiative that aims to reach the UN General Assembly TB Declaration targets as well as to build the capacity and commitment of the host governments to ensure TB self-reliance through evidence-based TB programs. 

The USAID investment in TB in Cambodia aims to increase TB case notification, case detection and treatment outcomes through health system strengthening, building the strategic guidance and technical rigor, strengthening problem solving skills and coordination mechanisms at all levels to streamline government systems for improved TB results, and fostering knowledge-sharing by improving collaborative systems and long-term, sustainable partnerships for open exchange and greater utilization of information, research, and educational resources with the goal of ending the TB epidemic in Cambodia. The USAID TB investment leverages U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supported TB/HIV activities, Global Fund (GF) TB grants, and the Royal Government of Cambodia supporting health care staff, infrastructure and funding activities related to TB control.

Introduction:

The Operational Research and Strategic Information Technical Advisor (Advisor) is responsible for implementation research and evaluation of program activities for the NTP Cambodia. They will take the lead in supporting the planning, organizing, and implementation of special studies, research, and analyses critical for the improvement of the quality of the Cambodia TB programs’ implementation. They will develop and implement activities to ensure the NTP’s operations research and evaluation activities meet quality standards and achieve intended project objectives.

Reporting structure:

The Advisor will be based at the CENAT within the Ministry of Health in Cambodia. They will receive technical direction from the CENAT Director, who will serve as their Onsite Manager.  The Advisor will also work in close collaboration with USAID/Cambodia and the USAID/Washington TB team.

Essential Duties and Outcomes:

Strengthen the institutional capacity of CENAT to formulate and address TB research priorities:

• Provide technical advice to the NTP’s overall operational research linkage with the monitoring and evaluation strategy and support the development and implementation.
• Help NTP to form the Cambodia Committee for TB Research (CCTBR) with clearly defined roles and functions to advise or oversee TB operational research implementation.
• Design and manage processes for compiling and reporting on TB operational research information and results; ensure consistency and facilitate the sharing of results and evaluations.
• Develop and define key indicators to monitor progress and capture locally generated data from the designed operational research activities and other research activities as deemed necessary (such as barriers to accessing TB services among key populations, barriers to initiation and coverage of TB Preventive Treatment, patient pathway analysis, etc.).
• Assist NTP in translating assessment/research findings into strategic direction or actions.
• Provide advice and recommendations on integrating results and evaluations and build information into future project work plans and budget projections.
• Assist in identifying requirements for technical assistance and develop appropriate scopes of work regarding research, and other related processes and tools.
• Build capacity among NTP program staff at all level on how to analyze and use existing data, ask pertinent research questions, and address programmatic challenges.
• Document and share knowledge in the format of project reports, information notes, publications and presentations; maintain an inventory of successful strategies, approaches and tools utilized.
• Formulate and apply models and other optimizing methods regarding clinical and public health operational research to develop and interpret information that assists the NTP management team with decision-making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions.
• Assist NTP to develop related databases, tools, or protocol and optimal time and cost for operational research implementation.

Anticipated learning outcomes: * Required 10% time

• Demonstrate proficiency across the core global health competencies defined as development practice, cross cultural awareness, communication, capacity strengthening, ethics of public health, health equity, gender equality and global burden of disease that is necessary for persons practicing in global health.
• Apply monitoring and evaluation and TB knowledge to strengthen program  
• Apply and distinguish international standards within technical/content area to support programming
• Cultivate leadership skills based on the STAR GH mentorship curriculum to effectively facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing activities amongst staff and peers.
• Expand access to knowledge and resources through networking and collaborative practice within global health.

FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Advanced degree in statistical analysis, international public health or other relevant area.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant technical experience with master's degree or a minimum 9 years of relevant technical experience with bachelor's degree.
• At least 7 years of experience in operations research, monitoring and evaluation or related field preferably including experience with USAID or with USAID-funded projects.
• Technical expertise in managing operations research, quality assurance, evaluation methodologies, tools and results management programs.
• Experience and technical expertise working with community-based organizations, NGOs, and host-country governments.
• Experience working in health programs in Cambodia.
• Strong analytical, evaluation, and reporting skills.
• An understanding of the socio-cultural issues and nuances of working in both community and facility-based settings is highly desirable.
• Ability to successfully work independently and on teams; pro-active in anticipating work requirements and problem solving.
• Advanced computer skills, especially with Microsoft Office; familiarity and demonstrated experience using Epi-info, SPSS, STATA, and other statistical programs.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other stakeholders in developing creative and   strategic solutions to achieve common goals.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities and shifting deadlines.
• Demonstrated strong organizational, administrative and communications skills.
• Strong English skills required, including ability to write lucid technical reports and documents.
• Cambodia citizenship required.

Additional skills (preferred):

• Postgraduate level qualification with training in research, M&E, or public health, or equivalent is desirable.
• Experience with TB or TB/HIV projects/programs preferred.
• Previous experience with USAID supported programs is an added advantage.

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through STAR’s online recruitment system at https://www.ghstar.org/, which allows you to store your CV/resume and 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 September 30, 2019 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.