Senior Diagnostics Advisor

About FHI 360

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing - creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

Job Summary

Advanced subject matter expert who will provide technical leadership in the field of diagnostics to FHI 360 projects. They will oversee operations, lead, and manage teams of various sizes, and be the primary company representative for the Program. They will serve as the Senior Diagnostics Advisor (SDA) on the Health Programs (HP) Global Health Security (GHS) team; provide technical leadership in diagnostics to donor-funded projects; and support and contribute to strategic business development for the division. The position is based in the United States.

The Senior Diagnostics Advisor (SDA) will prepare project and donor reports, draft publications and external communications, and lead the development or revision of best practice documents. The SDA ensures strong collaboration with local government, international donors, sponsors, and civil society partners. Additionally, the SDA will interact with other sectors to integrate and manage work plans, budgets, and multi-sector interventions while supporting the implementation of evidence-based interventions across various sectors, and the adoption of new technologies and practices.

Accountabilities

The SDA provides technical, and strategic leadership to the design, implementation, and monitoring of technical strategies to strengthen diagnostic networks that provide comprehensive coverage and universal access to diagnostic services. This may include assessments, capacity-building initiatives, and the development and implementation of strategies, programs, or tools to support diagnostic networks and facilities network capacity building of both human and animal health diagnostic networks.

Technical Requirements

• Leads the development, coordination, and quality of technical assistance and oversight, and the design of diagnostic network and facility strengthening and quality improvement interventions in line with joint external evaluation (JEE) reports, country national action plans (NAPs), and other assessment reports.

• Develops and implement continuous improvement initiatives to build diagnostic network and facilities capacity and quality regarding accepted standards and requirements.

• In close collaboration with EpiC surveillance staff, provides technical assistance to diagnostic networks to strengthen the accuracy and timeliness of reporting into national reporting databases such as DHIS2.

• Provides technical leadership by staying current on evolving diagnostic technical standards, guidelines, and program developments in the area of expertise.

• Responsible for sharing best practices and contributing to the knowledge base through participation in scientific forums technical networks and working groups.

• Shares new knowledge/evidence and best practices with the project team, partners, and host countries.

Project Design Implementation/ Quality Assurance

• Leads the management and supervision of technical staff in the region based on needs

• Contributes significantly to the development of country-specific work plans and budgets for diagnostic network activities aligned with JEE and local stakeholder improvement goals, ensuring complementarity with other, non-diagnostic interventions.

• Leads and provides oversight to the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of diagnostic network strengthening activities in countries according to country-specific work plans.

• Guides to ensure that program implementation adheres to appropriate diagnostic technical standards and guidelines and that programs are technically sound, and builds the capacity of country-level, regional, or global diagnostic staff

Business Development and Client/Funder Support

• Supports business development activities with the GHS Technical Director to grow the GHS portfolio, including grant development, strategic approach, program design, technical writing, recruiting, and positioning for new strategic opportunities.

• Supports GHS strategic development by contributing to strategy development and implementation, identification of new partnerships, evaluating geographical and technical expansion opportunities, and supporting strategies to prioritize and pursue those.

• Develops and maintains relationships with key points of contact with donors in consultation with the director, and partner organizations through meetings, conferences, and technical discussions all highlighting GHS strengths.

• Communicates, coordinates, negotiates, and manages relationships with internal and external partners, donors, and stakeholders in consultation with the director.

• Develops and monitors landscape analysis, strategic plans, proposals, protocols, papers, reports, and budgets to achieve project and company goals.

• Establishes, serves, and maintains partnerships with internal and external stakeholders on project matters.

Thought Leadership/ Innovation

• Supports knowledge management and GHS marketing initiatives including publications, presentations, best practices, thought leadership events, and other internal and external communication vehicles.

• Represents FHI 360 at technical meetings, conferences, and workshops and provides technical expertise to partners and stakeholders as needed.

Capacity Building, Training and Supervision

• Manages staff with training and operational procedures to achieve strategic goals of the project and the company.

• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.

Applied Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities.

• In-depth functional knowledge of clinical diagnostics diagnostic networks and quality management systems.

• In-depth functional knowledge of the diagnostics for infectious diseases (including TB) and anti-microbial resistance

• In-depth knowledge of the mechanisms and strategies that are being deployed under the Global Health Security Agenda and other similar mechanisms to combat emerging infectious threats and anti-microbial resistance

• Strong diagnostic network capacity-building skills.

• Excellent and demonstrated public relations, policy, representation, and diplomacy skills required.

• Ability to build positive local working relationships with local communities, district/state/national government officials, UN, and other multilateral bodies and donor representatives.

• Exercises judgment to meet strategic business goals and develops objectives and plans that align with and ensure achievement of organizational goals

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to strategize, plan, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.

• Ability to motivate, influence, and collaborate with others.

• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English and French, fluent in additional languages an added advantage.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Supervision Given/Received

• Set goals, objectives, timelines, and budgets for projects and leads the department in achieving strategic goals for the Program.

• Leads coordination of resources for ongoing projects across functional areas and addresses/resolves project issues.

• Oversees project implementation that requires the use of the Operational Model (RACI) frameworks.

• Reports to Technical Director, GHS.

Education

• Master's Degree or its International Equivalent in health, human development, clinical diagnostics, or a related field.

• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience

• Requires 12+ years of relevant experience in designing and evaluating applicable programs/services - may manage activities of lower-level staff, however, the main function is an individual contributor.

• Proficient with applicable rules, regulations, and policies associated with international development and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• Demonstrated experience in sector-specific or multi-sector project management and implementation.

• Demonstrated strategic planning, staff development, and capacity-building experience.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex projects that are strategic in nature and national/international in scope.

• Experience operating in challenging environments.

Typical Physical Demands

• Typical office environment.

• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screens and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements

• Greater than 25%

**Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience sufficient to successfully perform the key responsibilities of the job. This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants' previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant's tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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