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Family Planning and Reproductive Health Research Advisor

Global Health Fellows Program

Technical Advisor I/II: Family Planning and Reproductive Health Research Advisor

Research, Technology and Utilization Division, Office of Population and Reproductive Health, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Location: Arlington, VA

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP-II-P7-262 

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

 

GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual work planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

 

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The Research, Technology, and Utilization Division (RTU) of the Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) provides technical leadership in building scientific and empirical knowledge and ensures its use in the design and implementation of effective, efficient, high-quality family planning and reproductive health programs. The objectives of USAID’s research program in Family Planning and Reproductive Health RTU are to provide new and/or improved technologies; improve the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of family planning and related reproductive health services; strengthen developing country institutional capabilities to use research to diagnose and solve service delivery problems; and enhance the dissemination and utilization of research results.

 

To achieve these broad objectives, the RTU Division is organized into three teams: Implementation Science, Knowledge Translation, and Biomedical Research and Development.

 

The RTU Division maintains close working relationships with other United States Government (USG) agencies involved with research and development, other donor organizations, multilateral organizations, non-governmental agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector.

 

INTRODUCTION:

The Family Planning and Reproductive Health Research Advisor (Advisor) will serve as an integral member of the RTU Division providing technical assistance within RTU, and additionally as directed, to PRH, the Bureau for Global Health (GH), and other operating units within the Agency. The Advisor will receive technical guidance from the Chief of the RTU Division or designee, who will serve as onsite manager. 

 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Family Planning and Reproductive Health Research Advisor will be responsible for: 

  • Providing technical advice to the RTU Division’s implementation science research projects and staff. Technical advice includes assisting in reviewing project documents and research protocols for technical quality, contributing to the design and methodology of proposed research, monitoring of research activities, programmatic assistance in regular management meetings.
  • Coordinating knowledge translation activities, such as the design and execution of syntheses or analyses of existing research and data to develop recommendations for the use and scale up of evidence-based practices, and development and tracking of monitoring and evaluation plans and work plans. This activity may involve coordinating collaborative efforts to synthesize research results according to criteria related to the rigor of research methodology through a collaborative process; conducting secondary data analysis; and working with technical advisory groups to reach consensus on “best practices” in family planning programming.
  • Providing technical assistance as needed on key priority issues on family planning, gender, child marriage, fertility awareness, and adolescent reproductive health in interagency working groups; responding to information requests, reporting, and taskers within the Agency; participating in PRH technical teams, such as the youth and gender teams.
  • Providing technical assistance to country programs through short-term trips to the field and participation on country teams. These activities may involve support for key mission reporting, planning, and design processes; monitoring projects; evaluating research activities or FP programs; and coordinating Headquarters support for mission country programs.
  • Providing input on key working groups within PRH and GH on country support and participating in technical coordination activities that contribute broadly to the work of the RTU Division, PRH Office and Global Health Bureau. Such activities may involve prioritizing potential new research topics and technical approaches; and identifying implementation issues.
  • Coordinating the reporting, documentation and materials review. This may include preparing documentation, including financial reports; and responding to other requests for information and may also involve reviewing training materials and tools to ensure they incorporate up to date technical knowledge.

 

LEVEL II

An Advisor at the level II will be further responsible for:

  • Providing input on key working groups within PRH and GH on country support and participating in strategic planning and technical coordination activities that contribute broadly to the work of the RTU Division, PRH Office and Global Health Bureau. Such activities may involve contributing to innovative designs to address emerging priorities in the fields of family planning and normative change; identifying and exchanging best practices; dissemination of lessons learned; and participation in efforts to address technical and strategic opportunities to improve FP/RH outcomes.
  • Participating in the authoring of reports to Congress.
  • Reviewing training materials and tools to ensure they incorporate up to date technical knowledge.
  • Providing technical advice to country programs through short-term trips to the field and participation on country teams. These activities may involve conducting short-term studies and analyses to inform strategic and evidence based design of country FP research or programs.
  • Contributing, with guidance from the team, to the strategic development of new and innovative implementation research strategies through collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including external partners and technical leaders.

 

International and domestic travel approximately 25%.

 

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (7%)

  • Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments in the fields of family planning and relevant implementation science and research.
  • Deepening knowledge of emerging priorities in the fields of family planning.
  • Participating in interagency and intra-agency working groups as appropriate to the scope of work.
  • Participating in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II. 

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

  • Master’s degree or higher in public health, social science or a related social science field.
  • Doctoral degree preferred.
  • Excellent understanding of social science methods and models, qualitative research methodologies, research, research methods, and biostatistics and modeling.
  • Demonstrated experience in synthesizing, communicating, and disseminating evidence-based practices and research results.
  • Experience working on USAID funded projects highly desired.
  • Excellent knowledge of FP/RH research issues as well as normative change, gender, and child marriage.
  • Experience in program implementation and scale up.
  • Excellent communication skills, including writing and presentation.
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Comfortable with multi-tasking in a complex environment.
  • Advanced computer skills including PowerPoint, Excel, and statistical software.
  • Comfortable working with colleagues and partners utilizing virtual platforms.
  • Strong ability to produce quality content under tight deadlines, and work individually and as part of a team.
  • Dedicated to enhancing and supporting a diverse and inclusive work environment
  • Ability to travel internationally.
  • US citizenship or US permanent residency required.

 

In addition to the above, the position requires the following at each level: 

TECHNICAL ADVISOR I

  • 0-7 years’ experience working in research, analysis, family planning or normative change or other related experience with or without experience in an international or resource challenged setting.

 

TECHNICAL ADVISOR II

  • Minimum five (5) years’ experience working in research, analysis, family planning or normative change or other related experience, with at least two (2) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.

 

More senior level experience may be considered with increased level of responsibilities.  

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.

 

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A 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 January 24, 2018 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.

 

 

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