Neglected Tropical Diseases Advisor, Act | East - RTI International

Overview:

RTI International (RTI) is both a global research institute and a leading international development organization. We combine these powerful capabilities with those of our partners to co-create smart, shared solutions for a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient world. Based in North Carolina, USA, RTI is one of the top implementing partners of projects funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). A commitment to making meaningful change energizes our 6,000 staff who deliver results across eight international development sectors and in more than 80 countries. 

The Global Health Division (GHD), within the International Development Group (IDG), works in Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs); Global Health Security and Public Health Preparedness; Noncommunicable Diseases; Health Systems Strengthening - including Health Governance, Health Finance, Human Resources for Health, Capacity Building, and Health Policy and Advocacy; and Integrated Care - including Reproductive, Maternal, and Child Health and Family Planning. We address a range of public health problems to reduce disparities, lower disease burdens, and build locally owned sustainable health programs. 

RTI’s Global Health Division is looking for a Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Advisor who will primarily lead the onchocerciasis portfolio under the USAID Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases | East (Act | East) program (https://www.acteast.org). 

The USAID Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) | East programis a global flagship initiative supportinggovernments in Africa, Asia, and the Americas to reach their control and elimination goals, and tosustain NTD services within robust and resilient health systems.  

The NTD Advisor will bring in-depth knowledge on the biology and epidemiology of onchocerciasis as well as experience of working with health ministries and their partners.S/he will be expected to provide technical assistance to national programs, to lead the development and implementation of Act | East’s disease specific strategies, and to support the development of global guidance and policies. The Advisor will also contribute to other onchocerciasis-related projects and funders as required, providing expert technical assistance, and identifying opportunities for collaboration with Act | East. 

This position may be based in Washington D.C. or Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (RTI headquarters). US-based telecommuters or international telecommuters will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The position will report to the Technical Director and will require internationaltravel up to 30% of the time.  

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely across the program to lead Act | East onchocerciasis support to health ministries and actively participate in global fora to identify gaps and develop new strategies and guidance for elimination.
• Provide technical oversight for onchocerciasis-specific elements of program implementation, including writing and/or review of survey protocols, data interpretation and reporting, and disease specific materials for internal and external audiences.
• Keep project staff and consortium partners apprised of the latest trends in onchocerciasis.
• Organize webinars and technical roundtables to share lessons, challenges, and approaches among countries and update other knowledge management platforms.
• Provide direct technical assistance on onchocerciasis to Act | East staff and host country government staff - through ad hoc virtual and in-person consultation, review of work plans, activity design and implementation, and training. 
• Provide education and training to national, sub national and other stakeholders on disease specific topics to fill gaps in knowledge and on use of tools and capabilities.
• Develop strong collaborative relationships with key members of the USAID NTD team, particularly the onchocerciasis focal point and country specific focal points. Interact with USAID mission when appropriate.
• Participate in and provide needed technical support to national disease expert and advisory committees.
• Contribute towards response to challenges that are hindering governments from reaching their elimination goals such as hotspots, low coverage, laboratory capacity (entomology and epidemiology), and must reach populations. This will include review of data and definition of the problem, identification of resources needed, and coordination with internal and external partners.
• Collaborate across the program to develop a robust measurement structure for onchocerciasis and to track progress towards elimination.

 

Global Leadership

• Lead, coordinate, and participate in global NTD efforts to address technical and operational research gaps, ensuring USAID program priorities, based on country needs, are represented.
• Support development of mapping, treatment, and survey guidelines, and contribute to development of elimination dossier guidelines in alignment with WHO.
• Actively participate in disease specific global working groups and coordinate closely with other global disease experts.
• In close collaboration with program staff, disseminate knowledge on onchocerciasis, including through presentations at global meetings and conferences, webinars, and the development of job aids, technical and policy briefs.
• Review all Act | East materials intended for external audiences with onchocerciasis specific content.
• Coordinate with USAID and other stakeholders on NTD operations research agendas, including identifying needs, coordination of in country logistics, development of protocols, dissemination of results.
• As needed, provide support to Act | East coordination of publications, conference submissions, and/or other project technical excellence and thought leadership.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in public health or other relevant discipline and a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience implementing and leading technical and disease control/ program activities.
• Demonstrated experience in working in donor-funded health programs, including those funded by USAID.
• At least 7 years’ experience and demonstrated expertise in NTDs, including with onchocerciasis.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding and appreciation of country-led health or development strategies.
• Experience of working across disease epidemiology with laboratory analysis, diagnostics and/or entomology skills is preferred.
• Recognized global onchocerciasis expert with ability to engage effectively and shape dialogue in global fora.
• Established professional relationships with key stakeholders in the NTD sector.
• Ability to successfully coordinate with Ministry of Health officials, U.S. Government, donor organizations, NGOs, research institutions, and other agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence across multiple teams and levels.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team-oriented setting.
• Strong English oral and written communication and presentation skills. Additional fluency in languages of supported countries will be an asset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience working with GIS software.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time.

 

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EEO & Pay Equity Statements:

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

 

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States.

RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Hiring Salary Range:$115,000-150,000