THE FOLLOWING IS A POSTING FOR A PAST POSITION AND IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

The OFFICE OF FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA), Division of Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness and Planning (PMPP) of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Humanitarian Response (BHR)is recruiting for the position of Health Crisis Mitigation Specialist.  This is a two year personal services contract.  This position is considered to be equivalent to the GS 13 level.  Starting date is immediately.

PURPOSE:  As Health Crisis Mitigation Specialist, the contractor will be PMPP's technical, analytical and program support health expert and OFDA's Program Leader for activities mitigating potential health crises.  S/he will lead the team responsible for developing OFDA's, and the Bureau's, emergency health strategy as well as planning, monitoring and evaluating OFDA's country and regional health programs and activities.  Technical representation will be required in the areas of emergency health care, primary health care, maternal and child health, reproductive health, nutrition, health education/communications and health data/information systems.  S/he will report directly to the Assistant Director for Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Planning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Take lead responsibility for the development and implementation of an integrated health crisis mitigation program for OFDA.

2. Provide technical expertise for monitoring and evaluation of OFDA-supported emergency health response, prevention, mitigation, preparedness/training, and planning efforts.

3. Take lead responsibility for preparation of an integrated OFDA health strategy; coordinate office and field input, discussion, and review.  The strategy should emphasize prevention, preparedness and mitigation of the effects of disasters upon health in such areas as emergency primary health care, reproductive health care, and nutrition.  The strategy will identify linkages with ongoing USAID health-related (Global and regional bureaus) programs, and experience.

4. Take lead responsibility for developing linkages between OFDA's mitigation efforts and activities and other donor's relief and developmental activities.

5. Provide technical support for other OFDA-funded health activities worldwide.  Support will include assessment visits, project design exercises, training program development and implementation, field monitoring and evaluation, and Mission support requests.  Work will also include liaison with and support to private voluntary organizations (PVOs),  international organizations, donor governments and agencies related to health programs in countries of importance to OFDA, including follow-up and coordination of information exchange.

6. Coordinate with OFDA Disaster Response Division (DRD), Operations Support Division (OS), and Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Planning Division (PMPP) for specific  interventions and actions to address relevant health issues.  Keep OFDA staff informed about USAID (Policy and Program Coordination, Global and Regional Bureaus) related health activities.

7. Provide technical backstopping support to regional and field staff with travel to countries at risk or of importance to OFDA, as necessary, to provide credible validation of health situations and to participate in the development of OFDA country strategies and programs with specific technical responsibility for the health sector.

8. Participate on or lead Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) or emergency assessment teams.

9. Represent OFDA, the Bureau, and the PMPP division at international meetings, conferences, and other working groups which address emergency health issues; represent BHR, OFDA, and PMPP in meetings with other USG agencies (CDC, PHS), international organizations and donors which relate to health.
 

QUALIFICATIONS:  The preferred candidate must have strong technical, analytical, and organizational skills, and field experience with at least 5 years of demonstrated application in the health sector with USAID, PVO/NGOs and/or international organizations. Experience with USAID procedures and programming is essential; hands-on USAID program management experience is preferable. Knowledge of emergency health issues is useful; ability to communicate effectively - both orally and in writing - is essential. Substantive knowledge of the following areas is required: public health, epidemiology, nutrition, maternal health/child survival planning and program development, management of health programs in the international context.  Understanding of USG disaster response activities and international PVOs/NGOs and international organizations is preferred.  A master degree in a health-related field is minimum; relevant training and comparable work experience are important.   Demonstrated ability to work independently.  Must be willing and able to travel overseas under hazardous conditions.  Foreign language skills a plus.
 

SECURITY CLEARANCE:  A US Government security clearance is required.
 

SUPERVISION:  The Health Crisis Mitigation Specialist will report to the Assistant Director of the Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness and Planning Division of OFDA or her/his designee.  The specialist is expected to demonstrate the highest degree of individual initiative, resourcefulness and responsibility.  The specialist will receive programmatic guidance from the AD and other OFDA staff, as appropriate.