Public Health and Humanitarian Assistance Advisor

Background:
The Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is the office within USAID responsible for facilitating and coordinating US Government (USG) humanitarian assistance overseas. As part of USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), OFDA provides humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the social and economic impact of humanitarian emergencies worldwide. Within OFDA, the Technical Assistance Group (TAG) provides technical oversight and support for a variety of humanitarian sectors.

Introduction:
The Public Health and Humanitarian Assistance Advisor (Advisor) will serve as part of the TAG Public Health and Nutrition Team, which consists of advisors in health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and pharmaceuticals and medical commodities. S/he may also work with other elements of the TAG team, including advisors in agriculture, protection and vulnerable populations, and shelter and settlements, to provide a multidisciplinary approach to disaster response and risk reduction. The Advisor will receive day to day guidance from the TAG Team Leader as his/her onsite manager. S/he is will work in close coordination with the Public Health and Nutrition Team lead and Senior TAG Public Health Advisor.

Roles and Resposibilites:
The primary responsibilities of the Public Health and Humanitarian Assistance Advisor include:
• Providing support on public health interventions during a disaster response to USAID and OFDA staff based in Washington, DC or in field offices. Following reports of natural disasters or large scale conflict, assisting in providing recommendations to OFDA staff regarding potential responses in the public health related sectors.
• Assisting in making recommendations on the formulation of USAID/OFDA’s public health technical and policy position and communicating the outcome through interactions with NGO partners, other donor agencies, the international humanitarian community, and other USAID staff.
• In collaboration with the Team, conducting public health assessments of affected populations and recommending appropriate relief activities, while facilitating and coordinating USG emergency technical response activities with USAID Missions, other donor agencies, and the US Embassy.
• Attending pertinent meetings and other events as appropriate such as participating in the Global Health Cluster.
• Reviewing and assisting the Team on providing guidance on proposals submitted by NGO and United Nations’ partners for humanitarian response and disaster risk reduction in the public health sector.
• Participating in assessment teams, Disaster Assistance Response Teams, Response Management Teams, and other office duties as requested.
• In collaboration with the Team providing “in-service” brownbag presentations to USAID and OFDA staff on current public health related topics.

Level II
An Advisor at the Level II will further be responsible for:
• In collaboration with USAID/Washington and regional field office staff, supporting the team on the development of regional and country programmatic strategies and guidance related to humanitarian programming in the public health sector.
• Participating in appropriate OFDA general or sector specific training either as a participant and/or possibly trainer.
• Monitoring OFDA funded activities and assisting in making recommendations on the proper use of OFDA program funds.
• Identifying emergency public health mitigation and prevention measures that could be linked to disaster response activities. Reviewing mitigation principals and with collaboration with the Team Lead, recommending course(s) of action to OFDA/Washington staff.

International and domestic travel approximately 30%.

Training and professional development (7%)
• Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments in the fields of public health interventions during a disaster response.
• Deepening knowledge of regional and country programmatic strategies and guidance related to humanitarian programming in the public health sector.
• Participating in interagency and intra-agency working groups as appropriate to SOW.
• Participating in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.

Required skills, knowledge and experience:
• Master’s degree or higher in public health or a related social science field.
• Fluency in critical concepts of emergency public health interventions in developing countries and ability to develop programming to reflect those standards.
• Understanding of key health issues related to displaced populations, refugees and other vulnerable populations and ability to represent the humanitarian perspective.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret strategy; to analyze, develop and present work results; and to monitor and evaluate implementation of programs.
• Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environments.
• Strong written and oral communications skills, including the ability to write technical documents and give high level presentations to colleagues in and outside of USAID.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively independently and as a member of a team.
• Computer proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• US citizenship required.

Technical Advisor I
0-7 years’ experience recent experience working in a technical capacity for an international nongovernmental organization, public international organization, or USG agency working in humanitarian relief and response in emergency public health, with or without experience working in an international or resource challenged setting.

Technical Advisor II
Minimum five (5) years’ recent experience working in a technical capacity for an international nongovernmental organization, public international organization, or USG agency working in humanitarian relief and response in emergency public health, and at least two (2) years’ experience working in an international or resource challenged setting.

Salary and benefits:
Salary based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.