Regional PHEM Advisor

BACKGROUND

USAID/Ethiopia Health Resilience Activity (The Activity) is a five-year (Mar 2023- Mar 2028) cooperative agreement aiming to build a resilient health system through strengthening the capacity and capability of detecting, preparing for, and responding to public health emergencies arising from man-made and natural hazards.

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) as a lead implementer of USAID/Ethiopia Health Resilience Activity is collaborating with the sub-National Public Health Institutes and/or Regional Health bureaus (RHBs) of Amhara, Oromia, and South Ethiopia regions. The technical advice and input aim to strengthen the capacity and capability of the regional health system to assess and identify risks, predict, prepare, and prevent likely events; and respond to emergencies faster and effectively to reduce morbidity and save lives. 

The Regional public health institutes/RHBs are the strategic organizations and mandated as coordinating body of the PHEM system at region level, evidence generation, health laboratories, regional data management centers. The USAID Health Resilience Activity (HRA) is working collaboration with the RPHI/RHBs to strengthen local capacity to detect, prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the impact of public health emergencies leading to reduced morbidity and mortality related to public health emergencies.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Regional PHEM Advisor will provide technical assistance to the Regional public health institutes/Regional Health Bureaus on emergency preparedness, early warning/surveillance, response, recovery and restoration efforts to eventually support in strengthening the process of building a resilient health system in the region.

The incumbent is also expected to catalyze the health system through data driven evidence generation, innovation and knowledge translation efforts, and work with zonal health departments, woreda health offices and health facilities to ensure that resilient PHEM systems are built at all levels of the health system.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical assistance (TA) to strengthen regional capacity to prepare for, detect, and respond to public health emergencies.
• Provide TA on Public Health Emergency and Risk Management (in all phases of the emergency management cycle).
• Assist regional PHIs/RHBs, ZHDs, Woreda Health Offices (WrHOs) and health facilities (HFs) in conducting early warning, alert, and response tasks (EWARS).
• Provide TA in indicator and event-based surveillance system implementation.
• Assist WrHOs, HFs, and Zonal Health Departments (ZHDs) in EWARS data management, visualization, report writing, and dissemination.
• Assist in producing periodic reports, including epidemiological bulletins, feedback, SitReps, technical reports, presentations, ad-hoc reports.
• Assist public health risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) efforts.
• Advise to incorporate conflict sensitivity and gender inclusive programming in the PHEM system
• Support data analysis and triangulation for evidence-based decision-making, planning, implementation, and continuous performance improvement.
• Facilitate and promote data aggregation and analysis across different sections of Public Health Emergency Operation Centers (PHEOCs) at regional and sub-regional levels.
• Document lessons learned and experiences from responses and recovery efforts to revise strategies.
• Provide Technical Assistance to Public Health Institutes/RHBs in mapping of health gaps, identifying needs and preparation of action plan for delivery of preventive, control, and response public health interventions to special settings of drought, conflict, and displacement.
• Provide capacity-building training on various PHEM agendas for PHEM officers, HCWs, and HEWs.
• Provide TA in mapping health gaps, identifying needs, and preparing action plans for public health interventions in special settings such as drought, conflict, and displacement.
• Assist in coordination efforts with multidisciplinary, multi-agency governmental and non-governmental organizations and partners to leverage preparedness and response efforts.
• Support the institute’s scientific and strategic partnerships to improve institutional capacity and governance.
• Support emergency coordination platforms like PHEOC, RRT, TWG, DRM Council, Surge Team, and EMT to establish a functional PHEM system.
• Provide technical assistance in strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of planned activities and performances (such as SIMEX, Supportive Supervision, AAR, IAR, EAR etc.
• Represent the organization in regional/sub-regional review meetings, annual work plans, coordination forums, and other relevant platforms.
• Prepare and submit weekly/quarterly progress reports, annual project reports, ad-hoc technical reports, and success stories.
• Monitor and evaluate progress towards annual work plans, expected outputs, and key performance indicators.
• Prepare proposals and budget plans to support the implementation of PHEM agendas and emergency responses.
• Undertake field missions in support to public health and humanitarian emergencies.
• Advise on the DHIS2 implementation in the PHEM system.
• Support and collaborate with the USAID Health Resilience Activity field staff in the region
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Public Health Institutes/RHBs and USAID/Ethiopia Health Resilience Activity.

QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATION

• A bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, plus a master’s degree in Field Epidemiology, Epidemiology, General Master of Public Health or Master in related public health fields, from a recognized academic institution.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM), like early warning, surveillance, preparedness, response, and recovery, at zonal, regional, or higher levels in PHEM structures or within NGOs implementing PHEM projects.
• Additional training in PHEM leadership/emergency management, humanitarian principles, health system resilience and diseases surveillance and response.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Ethiopian PHEM system, particularly in public health surveillance, preparedness, and emergency response, are required.
• Experience working with USG-supported projects, NGOs, or UN agencies is highly preferred.
• Previous experience working in a Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) is an added advantage.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to engage with health authorities, and implementing partners
• Demonstrated experience in proposal development, scientific report writing, and dissemination
• Proven and advanced proficiency in software such as Excel, Power BI, DHIS2-PHEM, REDCap, ODK, Google platforms, etc., is required.
• Fluency in English and local language required.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.

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