The Technical Advisor I (TAI), Polio will provide strategic and technical leadership for the STRengthening Infectious Disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity with respect to polio eradication-related surveillance, laboratory strengthening, and case detection. The Advisor ensures alignment of STRIDES polio activities with global guidance, national policies, Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) norms, and donor regulations, while delivering high-quality technical assistance across participating countries. S/He will provide technical oversight of in-country implementation, working closely with regional and country teams to ensure fidelity to STRIDES’ technical approaches, troubleshoot implementation challenges, and adapt interventions to evolving epidemiologic and operational contexts. The TA, Polio will play a central role in supporting capacity strengthening, mentoring, and technical assistance to the country level teams, local partners, and government counterparts across polio surveillance, biosafety/biosecurity, laboratory operations, specimen management, data quality, and related domains, ensuring alignment with the United States Government’s global health security priorities.
The TA I, Polio will contribute to FHI 360’s technical thought leadership by developing tools, guidance, learning products, and public goods that strengthen STRIDES’ polio portfolio and enhances the organization’s visibility and credibility in polio eradication and infectious disease surveillance. S/He will represent STRIDES’ polio equities with key donors and stakeholders—including the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), UNICEF, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), national programs, and Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) technical groups—ensuring effective communication, strategic alignment, and strong positioning of STRIDES within the global polio architecture. Working closely with the STRIDES Technical Director, Polio; technical leads; MEL Director; and Program Implementation Director, the TA, Polio will cascade and operationalize the Activity’s technical strategy and is accountable for the successful, timely, and compliant delivery of all polio-related technical components across country-level work plans. S/He will collaborate across FHI 360, consortium and local partners to ensure coordinated implementation, responsive technical support, and rigorous reporting that meets or exceeds contractual, programmatic, and quality standards.
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Accountabilities:
Technical Requirements:
Works on problems of complex scope that require evaluation of variable factors.
Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions, with little supervision.
Networks with key internal and external personnel.
Provides input to senior technical leadership on national guidelines and normative policies for subject matter areas of expertise.
May interpret findings and make recommendations for improvements.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Project Design Implementation:
Under the direction of the STRIDES Technical Director – Polio, leads the creation and implementation of the technical portion of the STRIDES - Polio Activity plan at country level within the given resource and financial constraints.
Leads day-to-day technical and operational activities related to the STRIDES - Polio country portfolio design and implementation.
Coordinates with technical and programmatic staff members at country level to ensure that activities are performed as per contract requirements and consistent with FHI 360 policy.
Lead staff members’ assignments and supervise field staff and local consultants to ensure technical quality.
Provide technical direction to and/or monitor the quality of work performed by local subcontractors engaged in polio activities.
Work with STRIDES Finance and Operations country teams to prepare subcontracts and budgets.
Provides country level technical leadership to multiple components of the STRIDES – Polio program.
Contributes to planning and making recommendations for STRIDES operations and implementation at country level.
Influences design and scope of STRIDES polio initiatives and programs.
Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components within the STRIDES – Polio and Global Health Security programs of work at country level.
Provides technical oversight and ensures high-quality implementation at country level in line with global standards and best practices and meets contractual obligations for moderately complex technical units of a functional domain, directing other professional staff members.
Coordinates with other country-level technical and programmatic staff members to ensure that activities are performed as per award requirements and consistent with policy.
Coordinates with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field for situations that are less routine and more unusual.
Staff Leadership and Training:
May supervise team members, monitor performance, and lead professional development efforts.
Develops and implements training and competency systems at the country level.
Identifies strategies to address training gaps.
Activity Reporting:
Reviews donor financial and technical reports specific to Polio for transmittal to HQ.
Prepares and delivers presentations as requested to STRIDES donor on progress as needed.
Develops Activity work plans and coordinates with sponsors and partners on activities.
Quality Assurance:
Ensures technical deliverables and implementation are consistent with best practices.
Proactively identifies risks or challenges to technical deliverables and creates mitigation plan.
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the effectiveness of projects and makes recommendations for enhancements.
Ensures the quality of implemented technical activities and systems at all levels.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for successful implementation of activities.
Indepth functional knowledge around specialization and detailed knowledge of Polio eradication efforts, especially in Polio surveillance, case investigation, laboratory services, reporting and related areas.
General understanding of the external environment and how it affects the industry in general and the organization, including political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences.
General understanding of the organization’s structure, policies and practices, and the impact on one’s own area.
Strong diagnostic, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to exchange information, present recommendations, and collaborate with colleagues and peers within the organization and possibly externally.
Ability to influence others of the benefits/importance of an idea or plan of action and to gain their support or commitment.
Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.
Problem Solving & Impact:
Is sought out to provide advice or solutions around technical area.
Is informed about current developments around technical area.
Works under broad direction with considerable latitude for independent action.
Specific actions are guided primarily by professional standards and expected outcomes of the project.
Decisions and actions have an impact on the smooth operation and timeframes of the unit programs/projects; impact on the broader organization is generally indirect.
Problems encountered are complex and may involve unprecedented circumstances; resolution requires investigation, analysis, and review of professional/organizational standards.
Faulty decisions or recommendations will normally result in critical delays and modifications to projects or operations, cause substantial expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds; and jeopardize future business activity.
Supervision Given/Received:
May supervise junior to mid-level staff members and/or consultants.
Work is reviewed in terms of meeting the organization’s objectives and schedules.
Accomplishes results through managers or senior members of a team.
Manages a technical area staff and function area within the organization.
Plays a coaching and mentoring role for others; may assist in team management as necessary,
Typically reports to the STRIDES Country Program Director and Technical Director -Polio on technical matters.
Education: **
Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Health, Life/Social Sciences International Development, or Related Field.
Project Management (PM) Certification a plus.
Experience: **
Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience in designing and evaluating applicable programs/services – may manage activities of lower-level staff and/or consultants, however, main function is individual contributor.
At least five years of relevant experience in public health, especially in developing countries with a focus on disease eradication, surveillance, or infectious disease control.
Experience with polio eradication programs and management of large-scale public health initiatives involving Polio surveillance is required
Relevant publications, presentations, reports, and manual/tool development.
Proficient experience in current polio eradication, surveillance, laboratory support or related program developments in polio eradication and/or Global Health Security.
Years of work experience that demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of polio eradication technical issues.
Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization engaged in polio eradication efforts.
International Program Development or Program management experience preferred.
Typical Physical Demands:
Typical office environment.
Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.
Technology to be Used:
Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
Travel Requirements:
10% - 25% local and regional travel
Date Revised: 9/13/2021
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
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