Description
The objective of the contract is to obtain the services of a Senior Health Systems Strengthening and Policy Advisor (“Senior HSS Advisor”) who will provide management, leadership, and technical services on the full range of health systems strengthening investments as they relate to USAID/West Africa’s activities on FP, MCH, HIV/AIDS, and beyond. As an integral member of RHO, the incumbent is expected to be a senior professional and expert in his/her field who provides evidence-based technical advice to the Mission, develops strategic approaches to health systems across the portfolio mentioned above, and designs and manages projects and programs related to health systems strengthening. Projects will primarily focus on supply chain and commodity security in order to provide technical and managerial leadership, strategic direction, and coordination with national governments, regional institutions, donors, and USAID/West Africa implementing partners on all aspects related to quantification, forecasting, planning, procurement and supply chain management of health commodities. Other activities will include health financing for UHC, and policy and advocacy. S/he will help integrate information technology into the health program - forging new ideas and partnerships to bring to scale regional commodity security and health access programs. This includes work related to Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) in order to broaden HIS strengthening and data system integration. Future areas may include health financing and UHC. The incumbent will work at a senior level that requires knowledge, experience, maturity, and an ability to function independently under a complex, highly demanding, frequently changing environment. As such, the incumbent will represent USAID at the highest government and donor levels. As an expert in his/her field, the incumbent will provide strategic and technical input to regional government officials from ECOWAS, national Ministries of Health, implementing partners, and USAID technical experts within the office. Representing these issues, often political, requires tactful skills in diplomacy and negotiation. The incumbent will represent the USAID/West Africa Mission on a variety of HSS issues to government officials throughout the region - both Anglophone and Francophone - partners and potential partners. Given the highly regional nature of USAID/West Africa, heavy emphasis on strong linkages with national governments will be essential for the incumbent to demonstrate strong technical and management skills, complimented by outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. Donor collaboration is, equally, a critical vital function under this position. S/he will represent any mission critical HSS issues to USAID senior management and with offices throughout the Mission for cross-sectoral impact. S/he will seek to leverage USAID’s influence in these areas. The incumbent will be designated as a Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) or Activity Manager for two or more activities. Per ADS 103.3.1.1b(4), s/he will not be authorized to sign (1) grants, contracts, and other obligations that require a warrant and (2) grants to foreign governments and multilateral organizations composed of foreign governments (including public international organizations). The incumbent will work towards improving West African capacity to deliver quality health services (nationally and regionally), and eventually reduce the need for international donor support. Sustainability is a central tenet for HSS, requiring that capacity is built in the public and private sectors within a wide range of areas. The Senior HSS Advisor will provide managerial oversight and technical advice to support the implementation of these efforts through a combination of bilateral and field support activities.