Job and Career Info

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute (PHI) in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health, Management Systems International and the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. GHFP is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The goal of GHFP is to improve the effectiveness of USAID Population, Health and Nutrition programs by developing and increasing capacity of health professionals in Washington, DC and overseas. This is accomplished through the recruitment, placement and support of junior, mid and senior level health professionals; a diversity initiative focused on providing internship and mentoring opportunities in international public health to underrepresented communities; and professional and organizational development activities to bolster USAID’s ability to maximize results and strengthen its leadership role in global health.

INTRODUCTION

The Nutrition Division within the Office of Health, Infectious Disease and Nutrition in the Bureau for Global Health provides global technical leadership and field support to improve nutrition and food security in USAID assisted countries. The Division works with various USAID operating units and their partners implementing food security and nutrition programs, including Title II cooperating sponsors/private voluntary organizations (PVOs), President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief partners, Child Survival and Health Grant Program partners, and host country institutions.

The Division is also contributing to the planning and implementation of two initiatives – Feed the Future (FTF), the US global hunger and food security initiative, and the Global Health Initiative (GHI). Nutrition is the lynchpin between FTF and GHI and improving nutrition will be fundamental for achieving the ambitious targets of both initiatives. Complementary strategies and smart integration are required to achieve Millennium Development Goals 1, 4, and 5. The Division supports USAID Missions to design and implement integrated nutrition programs, which are tailored to the country specific determinants of undernutrition and reflect a country-led process and plan.

The Nutrition Advisor serves as a member of the Nutrition Division, providing broad expertise in nutrition and related issues and supporting USAID’s nutrition programs in achieving the overall operational objectives of USAID. Under the general direction of the Nutrition Division Chief, the Nutrition Advisor provides assistance on nutrition programs, including country nutrition programming strategies, program data analyses and preparation of reports for Congress and US Government leadership on nutrition program implementation.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Nutrition Advisor will:

- Provide technical assistance and support to the design, implementation, and monitoring of nutrition programs in USAID assisted countries
- Work as a team member in the Nutrition Division to provide guidance on reaching USAID’s long-term nutrition objectives
- Contribute to a cohesive approach to nutrition research and field programming through strategic planning with diverse USAID offices
- Synthesize lessons learned and document successful USAID program approaches on improving nutrition, including the preparation of presentations and reports for Congress and USG leadership
- Coordinate data collection and analysis from USAID programs and other global sources to monitor and track progress on key nutrition outcomes
- Plan, participate, facilitate, and present at international, domestic and local meetings, workshops, and conferences

Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Technical Advisor’s own interests.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

- Master’s degree in human nutrition, public health or related discipline
- Minimum five to twelve years’ progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, and managing nutrition, food security, or related health programs in developing countries, with at least two years’ experience in an international or resource poor setting
- Proficient analytical skills that demonstrate an understanding of the current concepts, priorities, and issues in program data collection and evaluation
- Understanding of US Government budgeting and procurement policies and procedures preferred
- Experience working with USAID/Washington and USAID Missions, host country governments, cooperating agencies, and/or international PVOs preferred
- Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment
- Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills
- High degree of maturity and demonstrated ability to work well with diverse teams
- Willingness and ability to travel
- Fluency in a foreign language preferred
- US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency required

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary will be based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs http://www.ghfp.net/docs/2010_Benefits_for_GHFP_Fellows.pdf