BACKGROUND:
In addition to many other aspects of its work, the TREAT TB project has a focus on capacity building. In FY 2013-14, TREAT TB will facilitate the hiring of several in-country consultants who will act as advisors for National TB Programs, focusing specifically on TB technical issues and the successful implementation of Global Fund (GF) grants. This posting is advertised for an in-country advisor for Kenya. The need for this long-term technical assistance is in response to the recent changes at the Global Fund with the roll out of its new funding model, and the need to accelerate TB prevention and care activities. This position will be a general TB technical advisor with a specific focus on critical areas of need for GF implementation in Kenya such as programmatic management of drug resistant TB (PMDT), TB/HIV, commodities and, drugs logistics management and other areas as needed.
USAID, as the lead US Government agency for international TB, has developed a technical assistance model to ensure that TB programs are successfully implemented; to improve coordination between partners; to build country capacity; and to ensure that the greatest challenges in TB prevention and control are met. TREAT TB will support this model by facilitating the hiring of in-country consultants. The NTP and USAID will be responsible for the technical oversight of these consultants and their assigned work. In addition, necessary direct costs of the Union related to the human resources and finance functions of this activity will be allowable expenses within the TREAT TB budget and work plan.
INTRODUCTION:
The Senior Technical Advisor position is based in Kenya.
The primary role for the TB Technical Advisor is to support the development and implementation of a national MDR-TB control program strategy and relevant programming tools, expansion of Xpert MTB/RIF implementation, scale up of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy. The Technical Advisor will serve as the lead liaison with the Ministry of Health and the NTLD to promote awareness of and support for rapid scale-up of proven TB control efforts, and ongoing operation research efforts to improve the TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care cascade.
The Technical Advisor will work under the guidance of the NTLD Head and Deputy-Head, and in close collaboration with key partners including Kenyan lab services, WHO, USAID, CDC, health authorities and NGO partners.
The Technical Advisor is expected to provide a sound technical approach based on knowledge of TB control in sub-Saharan Africa and experience working within developing country settings. The Adviser is also expected to follow implementation of the Global Fund TB/HIV grant with a focus on activities related to programmatic management of MDR-TB, Xpert MTB/RIF and Isoniazid Preventive Therapy, review routine grant data and identify issues that may lead to disbursement delays and work with the NTLD, USAID and technical partners (for example, TB ARC) to identify solutions to bottlenecks.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under direct supervision of the director for preventive services and national TB program manager, the Senior Global Fund Grant adviser will be in charge of the following main duties and possibilities:
Kindly note that based on program needs, additional duties may be assigned from time to time by the supervisor.
Support the ongoing MDR-TB strategic planning process
Provide support to the NTLD Head and Deputy in coordinating partner participation in the ongoing MDR-TB strategic planning process
Together with NTLD and stakeholders outline and help execute key interventions to improve MDR-TB diagnosis and treatment, M&EAs requested by the Ministry, lead consultative process with technical specialists and stakeholders such as NGOs and health authorities, which may include organizing large meetings or workshops
Provide technical support to the NTLD Head and Deputy in drafting the MDR-TB Strategy document and participate in the consultative process
Identify gaps in funding associated with the interventions outlined in the strategic plan, and opportunities for additional funding
Provide support to the NTLD on the development of the MDR-TB Monitoring and Evaluation framework and participate fully in the consultative process
Support the expansion of the Xpert MTB/RIF implementation
Technical Advice to Global Fund (GF): provide assistance with New Funding Model roll-out and grant implementation
Participate in Global Fund meetings in-country with the NTP and represent the NTP manager for TB constituency in Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and other GF related forums
Assist NTP in identifying technical assistance (TA) needs, and work with USAID and other partners to fill these needs
Follow the GF grant(s), review grant data, and identify any issues that may lead to disbursement delays
Assist the National TB Program with any follow up actions on grant conditions precedents (CPs) and other technical queries
Review performance reports that are submitted to the GF, and assist with any data issues
Organize regular teleconferences with the Global Fund and country stakeholders, and fill any technical assistance needs
Assist the USAID Mission with any other technical area needs such as MDR-TB roll out and implementation of the 3Is (TB/HIV) initiative
Review GF annual work-plan, with particular focus on GF annual targets-work with other in-country TB team members address indicators/targets not on track
Provide technical assistance for M&E system strengthening at national and county level
Coordinate meetings with HMIS and M&E to revise MDR-TB and IPT indicators
Development of an accurate database of MDR-TB patients in Kenya, along with details of their treatment and treatment outcomes
Development of an M&E framework for IPT
Support design of MDR-TB M&E framework for roll out to counties
Work with the county to develop efficient and appropriate procurement processes and indicators for MDR-TB lab diagnostics and medications
Support the development and execution of a nationwide TB prevalence and Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) epidemiology study in 2015 and 2016
Support the nationwide rollout of GxAlert and remote monitoring of Xpert MTB/RIF testing
Support the NTLD to document impact of MDR-TB, Xpert MTB/RIF and IPT control interventions
Support the design of MDR-TB, Xpert MTB/RIF and IPT impact evaluation strategies for the NTLD at national and provincial levels
Coordinate closely with M&E, HMIS, and MDR-TB to roll out required components of impact evaluation strategy
Coordinate closely with other major health indicator data gathering efforts to harmonize collection for impact evaluation
Support national and county MDR-TB, Xpert MTB/RIF and IPT annual planning
Provide support to the NTLD in developing annual plans that adhere to and reflect strategic planning objectives
Support NTLD in using M&E efforts to adjust annual plans
Support NTLD in its coordination functions with partners
Primary Tasks
Help develop interim and long-term MDR-TB database
Integrate GxAlert, County Data, and National TB Reference Lab Data
Ensure that key indicators are captured
Support and help train MDR-TB M&E team member
Ongoing assistance with Global Fund grant implementation, (i.e. providing solutions to bottlenecks, performance issues, identifying technical assistance needs)
Support development of MDR-TB centers of excellence
Use these to help train others in Kenya on how to provide MDR-TB care
Help develop GeneXpert testing network
Support installation and long-term plans for GxAlert
Support NTLD to develop plans for training, maintenance, calibration, cartridge procurement and distribution
Help develop MDR-TB clinical review team to discuss complex cases
Help develop MDR-TB supervision visit evaluations and plans
Provide technical guidance to ongoing research projects
Prevalence Survey
TB REACH project
Connect with MSF team that is piloting short course therapy for MDR-TB
Develop and help execute plans for MDR-TB, Xpert MTB/RIF and IPT operational research
Introduction of bedaquiline, delaminid
Introduction of short-course regimen
HIV/TB co-infection
Help finalize Kenyan MDR-TB clinical and strategic guide
Support the programmatic scale up of TB prevention interventions
Support the TB program strategic planning including development of Global Fund funding requests.
Success stories developed quarterly
CERTIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
The consultant must have:
Minimum five years of experience in supporting the NTP with the implementation of the GF grants on the country level (PR, NTP, SR, CCM, etc)
Experience in GF NFM concept notes preparation, review and technical assistance to the NTPs in the process
At least 10 years of progressive work experience in public health and with at least 5 years directly related with TB Control Programs at National/International level in high-TB burden settings
Extensive TB control experience in clinical and public health settings, including experience in PMDT and TB/HIV
Demonstrable extensive experience in provision of strategic guidance to NTPs on new Global strategies, policies and guidelines
Direct Working Experience in the WHO systems on TB Program in the African region is desirable
Experience in the development and review of national TB strategic plans, policy guidelines and external program reviews is essential
Good grasp of the Kenyan Health System preferably through supporting the NTP in the past is an asset
Minimum of three years of experience providing short- or long-term TB technical assistance in resource limited settings
Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-site and multidisciplinary team-based organizational structure, including partners and other collaborators; experience with cross-cultural teams
High degree of judgment, ingenuity and originality to interpret strategy, to analyze, develop and present work and to monitor and evaluate implementation of programs
Strong interpersonal communication and excellent oral communication and writing skills necessary in the interaction with implementing partners, MOH and USG colleagues including the ability to exercise judgment in balancing technical, administrative, bureaucratic and political considerations
Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Sound analytical skills
Strong negotiation skills
Good knowledge of English (speaking, writing)
Good knowledge of local languages in Swahili is a plus
Ability to relocate to Nairobi, Kenya
DURATION OF CONTRACT:
2 years
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary will be based on commensurate experience and earnings history.*Duty station:** Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Directorate of Preventive Services and Report to Director Preventive Services Department and TB Program Manager
HOW TO APPLY:
All applicants are encouraged to apply for this position by e-mailing a cover letter and brief CV describing their qualifications and experience to Samantha Kozikott at skozikott@vitalstrategies.org.