Senior Technical Advisor, Surveillance Strengthening

ABOUT FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,200 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

FHI 360 has worked in the Philippines for over 30 years and have taken a comprehensive approach by providing holistic and cutting-edge solutions to help address the country’s health and development challenges. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services – including HIV and epidemic control (COVID-19 and TB), health system strengthening, and global health security.
 

The U.S. Government’s (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USG’s GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust in a country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Surveillance Strengthening Advisor will oversee the implementation of the Activity’s epidemiology and surveillance activities in the Philippines. They will align STRIDES’s relevant technical frameworks, approaches, tools, and activities with the appropriate normative guidelines and technical standards in country. This may include identifying specialized partnership needs and engaging qualified partners to ensure technical performance. They will oversee planning and implementation activities to improve quality and performance and prepare project deliverables, including contributing to annual work plans at the country level, publications, and external communications. They will lead the development / revision of best practice documents, monitor budgets, and provide thought leadership at the country level. They will work closely with the project and headquarters (HQ) teams by evaluating program effectiveness, overseeing technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports. They are accountable for the successful delivery of all Epidemiology and Surveillance aspects of STRIDES Philippines and for the reporting of the Epidemiology and Surveillance aspects of the STRIDES activity in country from initiation through delivery and closeout in country, ensuring completion of technical deliverables on schedule and within budget and that meet or exceed quality standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Requirements:

• Serves as STRIDES surveillance technical lead and key point of contact for relevant topics in the Philippines.

• Provides technical direction and oversees day-to-day implementation of country epidemiology and surveillance activities with complex scope that require evaluation of variable and rapidly evolving situations.

• Demonstrates strong judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions, with little supervision.

• Provides surveillance project staff with overall technical direction and guidance on epidemiological surveillance in line with the project’s expected outcomes.

• Provides strategic leadership and guidance to the epidemiology and public health surveillance component of the project in coordination with other project technical areas.

• Networks with key internal STRIDES and with external personnel; liaises with STRIDES Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning team to measure the Activity’s epidemiology and surveillance activities against project indicators.

• Provides input to senior technical leadership on national guidelines and normative policies for subject matter areas of expertise.

• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching and career support.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Project Design Implementation:

• Works with project management and technical teams to define, develop, implement, monitor and adjust technical work plans, budgets, presentations, and reports.

• Coordinates with STRIDES technical and programmatic staff to ensure that activities are performed as per award requirements and consistent with FHI 360 policy.

• Work with the STRIDES Finance and Administrative team to prepare subcontracts and budgets, as needed.

• Defines and develops solutions for major business or functional challenges under STRIDES.

• Contributes to planning and making recommendations for implementation, including developing and/or reviewing  multisectoral strategies and frameworks.

• Coordinates with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field throughout implementation of epidemiology and surveillance activities.

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

• Develop strategies to grow FHI 360’s capabilities in epidemiology and surveillance. Participate in donor meetings and provide technical input and leadership.

• Represents STRIDES and FHI 360 to external entities at professional meetings and conferences.

• Maintains collaborative relationships with the donor, relevant, government agencies, and partners.

Partner/Sub-Award Management:

• Drafts sub awards and partner agreements where applicable and as needs are identified.

• Assists in managing relations with subcontractors.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of epidemiologic research and public health surveillance concepts, practices, and procedures.

• Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities.

• 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.

• Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to exchange information, present recommendations, and collaborate with STRIDES 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.

• Excellent and demonstrated leadership, organizational, and project management skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, team building and management critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English and Tagalog.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of complex scope and require in depth evaluation of issues and assessment of intangible factors.

• Is informed about current developments around technical area.

• Specific actions are guided primarily by professional standards and expected outcomes of the project.

• Decisions made generally affect overall success of functional, division or company operations.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Serves as in-country lead and provides direct supervision to epidemiology and surveillance technical staff in country.

• Leads and directs staff to achieve strategic project goals in country, ensuring alignment with USG priorities.

• Coordinates across STRIDES Management Team to set budgets, goals, and develops procedures and training for project.

• Reports to the Country Project Director.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Epidemiology, Public Health, or other Health fields related to the functions of this position.

• Project Management (PM) Certification or (PhD) in Public Health, Epidemiology or related fields preferred.

Experience:

• Typically requires 12+ years of relevant experience in designing and evaluating applicable programs/services (including 8+ years of leadership, strong business acumen and/or line management experience).

• Documented experience leading epidemiology and surveillance activities across [country] and working with relevant partners and ministries.

• Relevant publications, presentations, reports, and manual/tool development.

• Years of work experience that demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of epidemiology and surveillance best practices.

• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.

• Experience working on large USG-funded projects or technical implementation preferred

• Experience in multisectoral coordination, zoonotic diseases, surveillance systems, and outbreak investigation and control in the Philippines.

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%

Safeguarding:

FHI 360 is committed to providing a safe environment for all employees, beneficiaries, and anyone contracted by FHI 360. This includes taking measures to protect vulnerable people from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by either FHI 360 employees or associated personnel. FHI 360 abides by child safeguarding principles. FHI 360’s Safeguarding Policies apply and flow out to all FHI 360 staff, board members, volunteers, and partner staff (subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and subrecipients), regardless of the funding mechanism or amount of contract, agreement, or purchase order.

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.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment  process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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