Description

FHI 360 seeks a qualified candidate for the position of Research Utilization (RU) Technical Advisor for an an upcoming USAID-funded global project, Ending Neglected Diseases through Operational Research (ENDOR). Through ENDOR, USAID aims to implement a collaborative, country-centered approach to conducting operational research (OR), working closely with countries, researchers, and WHO to evaluate new diagnostics, inform best practices and policy change through evidence from OR studies, and employ innovative solutions to improve and sustain NTD health services. ENDOR will also directly support efforts to strengthen the capacity of government entities, local organizations, and institutions to engage in research activities.

Availability of position is contingent upon award to FHI 360 and donor approval of key personnel.

The Research Utilization (RU) Technical Advisor, is a subject matter expert in RU practices and strategies as well as in infectious diseases. The RU Technical Advisor will play a key role on an anticipated operational research award focused on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), leading the project’s efforts to move evidence into practice to improve programs and support policy change. The RU Technical Advisor will lead project activities and sub activities and provide technical guidance on RU applied to NTD research and programming.

Technical Requirements:

Provide technical leadership in RU applied to NTD research and programming. Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require evaluation of variable factors. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions, with some supervision. Networks with key internal personnel. Performs other duties as assigned.

Project Implementation:

• Provides technical leadership in design, development, planning, implementation, and capacity-building of RU strategies and plans
• Supports provision of research findings to the global evidence base for wider meta-analyses
• Provides technical guidance for synthesis and dissemination of operational research (OR) findings to relevant WHO technical working groups or advisory groups, such as the WHO Diagnostic Technical Advisory Group for NTDs and NTD diseases-specific working groups
• Coordinates requests from field partners for technical assistance focused on RU
• Leads the design, development, planning, and implementation of global-level innovative technical strategies to ensure research translations will occur through improved communication linkages among researchers, policy makers, program implementers, donors, and endemic communities.
• Develops tools and procedures for the design and implementation of specific technical components focused on RU
• Ensures technical implementation is consistent with best practices in the industry / subject and meet client / funder contractual obligations for of one or more large functional areas
• Creates the project’s systems and processes supporting engagement of endemic-country programs, NGOs, key donors, and WHO from the beginning stages of developing the OR agenda
• May supervise junior technical staff members, sub-contractors, and others implementing technical project work
• Functions at the advisor capacity with oversight of technical project administrative and finance compliance, technical deliverables, and team management. (Includes projects and consultants)
• Creates RU portion of the project annual workplan, within the given resource and financial constraints.
• Leads the day to day technical and operational activities of assigned projects

Capacity Building, Training and Supervision:

• Develops and implements technical training and capacity building interventions, with a specific focus on early career researchers and local research organizations
• Identifies strategies to address training gaps
• May supervise or provide technical guidance to staff members based in the geographic area of project implementation

Project/Program Reporting:

Contributes to sponsor financial and technical reports as related to technical scope of work. Collates and uploads output and deliverables data to sponsor data systems as related to technical scope of work. Prepares and delivers presentations to sponsors on progress as related to technical scope of work. Helps in the development and review of work plans as related to technical scope of work. Creates technical content, owning the content, true experts at an advanced level (maybe the most senior technical person). Serves as the primary author for technical deliverables (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts). Gathers and aggregates data to provide a summary / high level overview.

Quality Assurance:

Ensures technical deliverables are consistent with best practices in the industry / subject and meet client / funder contractual obligations Identifies areas for improved efficiency or effectiveness within prescribed parameters, and institutes enhancements to procedures.

Strong knowledge and skills in:

• Strategies to support the translation of research evidence into program improvements and policy for infectious disease services in low and middle income countries
• Best practices and innovations in research dissemination
• Strategies for stakeholder engagement and convening, with a particular focus on multilateral global health organizations and government stakeholders
• Solid knowledge of concepts and principles of operational research and global disease-specific monitoring and evaluation strategies
• Has the ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities
•  Proficient writing and verbal communication skills
• Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office)
• Ability to manage their own work to job and performance standards
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English; additional proficiency in French preferred.

May supervise junior staff members. Coordinates own workflow and sets individual priorities. Works under general guidelines for completion and accuracy as determined by the supervisor. Accomplishes results through lower-level staff managers or through experienced staff who exercise independence in their assignments. May manage a centralized functional area of activity. Serves as mentor to more inexperienced technical staff. Typically reports to a Project Director.

Requirements

Education:

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Public Health, Behavioral, Life/Social Sciences, International Development, Human Development or Related Field.
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience:

Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience in:

• Technical implementation of infectious disease projects and/or programs.
• Documented experience providing technical assistance and capacity building, with a particular focus on capacity building related to infectious disease program implementation and research for governments, early stage researchers, and/ or local research organizations a plus
• Engagement and convening of global, regional, national, and sub-national stakeholders
• The translation of evidence related to infectious disease program implementation into program improvements and policy.
• Collaboration with research teams—work with operational research and monitoring and evaluation teams a plus.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.
• International or Domestic (US) Program Development or Program management preferred.

Typical Physical Demands:

Typical office environment. Ability to spend long hours looking at a computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard. Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Ability to lift 5 lbs.

Technology:
Personal Computer, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype/TEAMS, email), office telephone, cell phone and printer/copier.