Public Health Specialist – Quality Improvement Advisor

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Public Health Specialist – Quality Improvement Advisor at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR).

OPEN TO:      All Interested Candidates/ All sources

POSITION:      Public Health Specialist – Quality Improvement Advisor

OPENING DATE: October 24, 2016

WORK HOURS:   Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR):  FSN- 10; (Step 1- TZS 51,002,394 through Step 13- 76,503,594 per annum)

Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP- 5 (steps 5 through 14)

**Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.

The “Open To” category listed above refers to candidates who are eligible to apply for this position.  The “Open To” category should not be confused with a “hiring preference” which is explained later in this vacancy announcement.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Under the supervision of the WRAIR/Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) Country Director and Program Manager, the incumbent will provide technical expertise to improve the quality of HIV/AIDS services that WRAIR/MHRP Tanzania provides in collaboration with the United Republic of Tanzania (URT). The incumbent supports WRAIR Tanzania in the assurance of data and service quality through review and assessment (e.g., data quality audits; DQA) and the promotion and coordination of continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Service Quality Assurance and Improvement (20%)

The incumbent will support the promotion and coordination of continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities within WRAIR/MHRP and PEPFAR Tanzania. Provide mentorship and support to technical staff and implementing partners to strengthen WRAIR/MHRP Tanzania efforts to build the capacity of WRAIR/ MHRP staff to promote and coordinate continuous CQI activities. Work across programs and provide technical assistance and capacity building to institute QI and ensure continuous quality improvement strategies are implemented in service delivery activities to improve programmatic performance and outcomes. WRAIR/MHRP and PEPFAR Tanzania funded partners with the mandate for CQI on portfolio focus, content, and coordination. Provide support and work to strengthen efforts to build the capacity of WRAIR/MHRP staff on quality improvement activities.

Support the implementation of the Site Improvement through Monitoring System (SIMS) program.

2. Data Management and Quality Assurance (35%)

The incumbent oversees data entry QA professionals and guides design and development of data entry systems controls and analysis tools that help ensure consistent quality throughout the data entry process. Along with developing processes, the quality assurance professional must train and coach data entry specialists to implement proper standards. The quality assurance professional must periodically collect and review reports to uncover any data errors and to coordinate correction. To design and maintain systems for collecting and learner performance data including production of data for managers to inform judgments about the quality of provision and subsequent decisions/actions to improve the quality of service provision.

Develops appropriate data management systems to monitor health objectives and indicators for HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

Provides assistance to WRAIR/MHRP Tanzania and URT-regional health management teams in interpreting data on health objectives and indicators. Responds to requests from NGOs, health care organizations, and medical professionals for information and technical assistance on data management strategies for HIV/AIDS intervention programs. Promotes data use, improved skills for health care workers on data analysis and triangulating of various data sources to assure data-based decision-making to effectively address implementation challenges.

3. Program Management (30%)

Serves as a Lead Activity Manager for 2-3 projects. In this capacity, takes a major technical role in development Funding Opportunity Announcement, solicitation for funding and review of applications. Liaises with the agency cooperative agreements management team and the grant management officer/specialist at WRAIR headquarters on technical reviews and funding awards.  Oversees performance of cooperating partners, carries out technical reviews, reviews progress, identifies potential issues and informs project office, recommending actions for amelioration. Incumbent is responsible for providing oversight and monitoring the budgets allocated to cooperative agreement partners within the job holder's portfolio. This includes reviewing budget requests for appropriateness, monitoring use of funds for adherence to proposed activities; pipeline reviews/budget status reports, following up on irregular findings, providing advice for realignments of budgets, accruals.

4. Strengthening Government of Tanzania Continuous Quality Improvement System(15%)

Provide guidance and support to the Tanzania Peoples Defense Forces (TPDF) and Regional Health Management teams and other partners on CQI. Ensure partnerships with other non-USG partners who are engaged in CQI initiatives so as to coordinate efforts. Provide guidance and technical assistance to develop and strengthen national quality evaluation and accreditation programs for health care facilities providing HIV care. Support the development and implementation of public policy and guidelines related to quality of HIV care to improve the quality services. Provide technical assistance to develop quality improvement principles, and to determine and improve the quality, effectiveness, efficiency and utilization of services and the satisfaction of service users. Ensure services provided by the health system are coordinated and integrated to ensure continuity of service delivery among different providers and different levels of care. Provide technical assistance to GOT in the implementation of programs such as HealthQual and national QI collaboratives.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
All applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

 a.      Education:

Master’s degree in one of the following disciplines: Medicine, Public Health; Epidemiology; Behavioral Sciences, Biostatistics, or Applied Mathematics is required.

 b.      Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of experience working as an Monitoring & Evaluation or quality assurance officer in a health/medical research organization, university or public health program implementing agency, based in a developing country, is required.

c.      Language:

Level IV (fluent) in English and Kiswahili (speaking, reading, and writing) is required.  (This will be tested)

 d.      Skills and Abilities:

Skill in leading and technical expertise in the monitoring and evaluation of public health programs.  Ability to independently  resolve problems related to program qualities, Monitoring & Evaluation outcomes and program operations, ability to lead project teams and workgroups and to develop effective Quality Improvement strategies for programs. Skilled on the Monitoring & Evaluation program activities and statistical tool (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and statistical programs such as SAS, SPSS, or STATA) is required.

 e.      Job Knowledge:



Knowledge of program evaluation strategies and techniques and infectious disease prevention activities.  Incumbent should possess expertize knowledge on implementing program management and translating data evaluation processes to improve program operations, guidelines, and policies. Incumbent must be familiar with the health system of Tanzania, possess knowledge of the principles of organizational management and be familiar with the USG Agencies work in Tanzania is required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: The complete position description listing all of the duties and responsibilities can be obtained on our website and/or by contacting the Human Resources OfficeDarRecruitment@state.gov.

HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:  Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
AEFM / USEFM
FS on LWOP**
* IMPORTANT:  Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility.  If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process.  Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.



ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.


HOW TO APPLY:  
Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered.  Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources.  (See “For Further Information” above);        
Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. resume, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
Copy of University Degree.
For Tanzanian Nationals:  Copy of Passport, or National ID, or Voters ID
5.    For Other Nationals: please attach current Resident/Work Permit and copy of valid Passport.


WHERE TO APPLY:  Effective immediately only online applications will be accepted via DarRecruitment@state.gov

Applicants MUST follow instructions in the notice on the website.

When sending an online application, please indicate the position title in the subject line.

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age(below compulsory retirement age), disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

Appendix A - DEFINITIONS

Eligible Family Member (EFM): An EFM for employment purposes is defined an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen or not a U.S. Citizen; and
Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610); or
 Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support. The term “child” shall include, in addition to natural offspring, stepchild, adopted child, and a child under legal guardianship of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such child is expected to be under legal guardianship until 21 years of age and when dependent upon and normally residing with the guardian; or
Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support; or
 Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such sibling is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support, unmarried, and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support; and
 Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
 Is under chief of mission authority.
U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM): A USEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen; and
Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
 Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
 Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and resides at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and is under chief of mission authority; or
 resides at an Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location authorized under 3 FAM 3232.2; or
 Currently receives a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.
 Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM): An AEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen; and
 Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
 Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
 Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); and
 Is under chief of mission authority; and
 Is residing at the sponsoring employee's post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
Does NOT currently receive a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.
Member of Household (MOH): A MOH is an individual who meets all of the following criteria.

A MOH is someone who accompanies or joins a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
 A MOH must be officially declared to the COM by the sponsoring employee as part of his/her household; and
 A MOH is under COM authority;
 A MOH may include a parent, unmarried partner, other relative, or adult child;
 A MOH may or may not be a U.S. Citizen;
 A MOH is not an EFM;
 A MOH is not listed on the travel orders or approved Form F-126 of a sponsoring employee.
Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:An EFM, USEFM or AEFM of a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned or stationed abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or

Has diplomatic privileges and immunities; and
 Is eligible for compensation under the FS or GS salary schedule; and
 Has a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN); and
 Is not a citizen of the host country; and
Does not ordinarily reside in the host country; and
is not subject to host country employment and tax laws.
Ordinarily Resident (OR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:

A citizen of the host country; or
 A non-citizen of the host country (including a U.S. citizen or a third-country national) who is locally resident and has legal and/or permanent resident status within the host country and/or who is a holder of a non-diplomatic visa/work and/or residency permit; and/or
 Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.


CLOSING DATE: November 7, 2016.