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TECHNICAL ADVISOR TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF MALAWI (PHIM)

The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) is a center in the University of Washington’s Department of Global Health that works in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco. I-TECH has projects in more than 20 countries, and its worldwide staff work with local ministries of health, universities, non-governmental organizations, medical facilities, and other partners to support efficient, well-ordered health care systems that provide high quality care to all citizens. I-TECH Malawi provides technical assistance to the Malawi Ministry of Health and its partners to support human resource development, health systems strengthening, HIV care and treatment, and HIV surveillance for epidemic control.

I-TECH has an outstanding opportunity for a Technical Advisor to the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM)

Position Overview

The PHIM TA, based at the PHIM Secretariat, and will work with management members and staff to provide technical assistance to strengthen PHIMs technical leadership and guide strategic direction for efficient and effective organizational performance. S/he will apply technical expertise to a comprehensive portfolio and will promote programmatic implementation to ensure high quality program deliverables.

The PHIM TA will provide evidence-based strategic direction and technical support to strengthen PHIM functions to achieve its goals. He/she will support development of PHIM strategic policies, guidelines, and workplans and provide technical support to align PHIM with the health sector strategies. Specifically, the PHIM TA will provide technical assistance in programme planning and evaluation, setting up systems for the functional units of the institute and assessing training needs of the institute as well as support in establishing functional M & E system.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Technical Strategic Support (55%)

1. Provide Strategic Direction Through Evidence-based Information
2. Support implementation of strategic plan and revising as required using the up-to-date best practices in public health.
3. Support rational planning, target setting and performance monitoring for the national public health programme.
4. Coordinate and support response to public health emergencies Provide on-the job training and/or technical assistance in collection, data management, analysis, data use and response to public health emergencies.
5. Support public health communications and networking within the country and globally
6. Provide technical support for research surveys (design, implementation, analysis and interpretation).
7. Support the development and implementation of evidence-based policies, guidelines
8. Provide technical leadership in PHIM technical working groups and sub-groups to maximize the use of research and surveillance findings for decision making.
9. Contribute to global HIV policy and strategic planning at WHO and other international organizations.
10. Advise to strengthen health workforce capacity in public health surveillance by identifying capacity gaps.
11. Assist PHIM to establish strategic relationships with local, national and international organizations, as needed, to move the Institute forward.
12. Assess and identify training needs and advance capacity development plans.

2. Program Management (20%)

1. Provide oversight making sure donor goals and objectives, targets and specifications are met.
2. Provide project management oversight for implementation of PHIM COAG activities.
   Oversight includes ensuring that implementation is in accordance with approved ethical procedures and that any changes to protocols are processed through the CDC, and NHRSC.
3. Develop, manage and monitor on annual budget and expenditure and evaluate them against planned activities, deliverables and targets.
4. In coordination with the Director, serve as an I-TECH liaison on surveillance activities with the MOH and other implementing partners, including participation and representation at key meetings.
5. Support Technical Assistants/Program Leads transition plan of program activities to MoH through strengthening capacity building of MoH/PHIM counterparts and identifying key bottlenecks and possible solutions to the transition success.
6. Serve as a technical advisory member of the core management team for the PHIM Management.
7. Support efficient functioning of PHIM-CDC COAG program teams through technical support, Facilitation of regular all-staff and team meetings, and provision of regular ongoing feedback.

C. Reporting, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) (10%)

1. Provide oversight for team data collection and reporting activities.
2. Ensure systematic, consistent collection, compilation and dissemination of indicator data for different programs.
3. Assist in reviewing and writing quarterly, or biannual and annual reports, as needed
4. Revise and update the PHIM strategic plan where necessary.
5. In collaboration with PHIM leadership, develop annual work plans using logic models.
6. Provide program reports including quarterly reports to CDC. Reports shall include the ease of implementation of systems, achievements and challenges encountered
7. In collaboration with partners, monitor and evaluate progress of the various projects PHIM is implementing
8. In collaboration with PHIM leadership, initiate activities and other management interventions wherever gaps in the program are identified or issues arise.
9. Manage and monitor the PHIM-CDC COAG budget and expenditure against planned deliverables, in collaboration with PHIM leadership.

D. Coordination (15%)

1. Coordinate resource mobilization for PHIM, including proposal development
2. Assist in developing and maintaining key collaborative partnerships with strategic local and international partners.

Desired Qualifications:

1. A PhD/Masters in a public health discipline, Social Sciences, Public Administration or International Development. Those with project management or business management qualifications will be considered if they have acquired adequate experience managing programs within the health sector.
2. A minimum of 15 years demonstrable experience working in a public health – oriented organization. Experience of having worked in a public health institute will be an added advantage.

Competences, Knowledge and Skills

1. Well versed in the functions and operations of public health institutes.
2. Excellent knowledge and skills in team management and team building as well as problem solving skills.
3. Knowledge and skills in project management, resource gap analysis and resource mobilization.
4. Ability to work in a public sector environment to accomplish goals and favorably influence decision making processes in a diplomatic and collaborative manner.
5. Ability to communicate effectively
6. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
7. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines whilst working on tight schedule.
8. Experience in working in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.

Application Process

Applications with Curriculum Vitae (CV), three traceable referees and relevant copy certificates should be emailed to: hr@itech-malawi.org

Deadline for receiving applications is 29th November 2024. I-TECH Malawi, an equal opportunity employer, appreciates all applications. However, only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

For more information about I-TECH, visit our website: http://www.go2itech.org/