ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is seeking an individual for the position of Public Health Specialist Information Technology and Communication (External).
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
The Public Health/Information Technology Specialist is the key public health advisor on Information Technology and Communications (ITC) activities implemented or supported by CDC Tanzania HIV/AIDS and health programs under the President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief. The incumbent focuses on strategic planning for the development, operations, and evaluation of information and technology systems to support external health-care information systems and communications infrastructure. The position serves as the in-country expert to CDC leadership and National partners on information technology (IT) for PEPFAR program delivery and provides vision and leadership to Government of Tanzania partners in developing and implementing IT initiatives which result in improved program efficiency, quality of program services, and maintaining state-of-the-art information technology and communications support services in a constantly changing and competitive marketplace environment.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Management and Oversight/Technical Assistance - 40%
Provides technical assistance and oversight to CDC and other partners in the implementation of Information Technology programs, including preparing directives, memoranda, policy statements and proposals to introduce new initiatives and to recommend effective operations consistent with overall program objectives in support of the PEPFAR care and support programs in Tanzania. Actively participates with CDC Strategic Information Chief in strategic planning for the development, operations, and evaluation of information and technology systems to support health-care information systems. Advises senior technical staff on the hardware, software, financial and human resource needs to meet current and future information and technology needs for successful implementation and sustainability of PEPFAR and other health activities. Advises and assists MOHSW health care network management regarding IT issues and trends in the IT industry.
Serves as the in-country expert on all IT matters and routinely participates with external partners in planning for their IT needs for CDC-funded projects. Serves as technical advisor to MOHSW in furthering of services provided by USG agencies, cooperative partners and contractors. Works closely with host government Ministry of Health, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to influence other collaborative organizations engaged in ITC programs to adopt appropriate strategies for their program activities. Develops and maintains IT systems architecture, defining standards and protocols for data exchange, communications software and interconnection of health care network information systems. Oversees the development and maintenance of data management systems to monitor progress in the implementation of CDC-funded projects at MOHSW and other partner sites in Tanzania.
Provides technical evaluation of cooperative agreement proposals for ITC programs. Works with the CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) and partner representatives to ensure that most appropriate IT elements to support grantee program activities are included in the signed agreements. Provides guidance and direction to grantees, program collaborators and contractors on management and implementation of cooperative agreement activities to ensure consistency with PEPFAR policies and guidance. Participates with partners in the development of work plans for implementation of activities following cooperative agreement awards.
Working closely with MOHSW staff and other implementing partners, incumbent is required to monitor all programs under his/her purview to assure that the specific objectives for the program are achieved and/or appropriate remedial activities are instituted. Position makes sure that appropriate data management systems to monitor health objectives and indicators for ITC programs are in place and takes responsibility for the management of these systems under the Chief, Health Systems Solutions (US direct hire) with regular consultation on a day to day basis with the Senior Technical Advisor for Health Information Systems.
Provides updated technical information to partners as it becomes available. Recommends practical training courses for various target audiences on ITC and report progress to key stakeholders. Reviews and evaluates training sessions to ensure partner staff is up-to-date with IT standards.
Monitors activities and collaborates with each relevant partner organization on a regular basis to make sure program results are achieved and all ITC programmatic activities meet appropriate agency authority. This involves regular site visits and meetings with representatives of each organization to review progress. Draws attention to organizational needs such as inadequate virus software protection, IT equipment, facilities and staffing. Responds to requests from NGOs, health care organizations and medical professionals for information and technical assistance on ITC programs and strategies.
Leads site assessments of PEPFAR ITC programs carried out by implementing partners of the USG. Collects data and prepares the technical assistance requests to be sent to the US Embassy PEPFAR managing body and/or CDC senior management and develops scopes of work as needed for the requests. Prepares oral and written reports on the progress of program activities. Readers of these reports include agency and post management, other agency PEPFAR officials, U.S. headquarters offices and are ultimately used in reports to the U.S. Congress. Reporting responsibilities are monthly, quarterly and annually.
As the Activity Manager for up to 3 ITC-related cooperative agreements and contracts in Tanzania, job holder oversees the public health technical aspects in development of the Scope of Work (SOW), Funding Opportunity
Announcement, review of applications, supplemental awards, and requests for extensions. In this capacity, the incumbent also liaises and provides technical consultation with other leads and technical teams on agency grants and cooperative agreements at post and in the U.S. on technical reviews and funding awards for cooperative agreements annually. Once the cooperative agreement are in place, oversees performance of cooperating partners/contractors, carries out technical reviews, reviews progress, identifies potential issues and informs supervisor, recommending actions for amelioration.
Planning and Coordination: - 30%
Job holder serves as a primary advisor in the planning and development of ITC programs included in the annual COP for Tanzania. In collaboration with other USG partners, compiles and edits prevention program activities for the COP. Participates in reviews of the plan and recommends revisions as needed. Drafts technical requirements for program announcements for cooperative agreements supporting ITC program activities. Reviews cooperative agreement applications from partner agencies for technical soundness and appropriateness of budget requests. Participates with partners in the development of work plans for implementation of activities following cooperative agreement awards. Job holder represents CDC Tanzania at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. Acts as an expert national resource, and a recognized regional and international resource on matters pertaining to ITC.
As an expert on matters pertaining to ITC program activities, job holder represents CDC/Tanzania at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. Briefs agency officials on the results of such meetings and prepares written reports for submission to other interested parties. Represents the agency in discussing and developing financial commitment proposals for ITC programs at administrative and strategic planning meetings. This includes all USG agencies (Departments of State, Defense, and Health and Human Services, USAID and Peace Corps).
Serves as the technical expert advising CDC program management on the evaluation, selection, implementation and maintenance of information systems, ensuring appropriate investment in strategic and operational systems for MOHSW and other host governmental partners. Determines pertinent information required by management in making effective IT decisions and ensures the timely gathering, processing and communication of the relevant information.
Serves as expert resource and technical advisor to the MOHSW health-care network concerning IT issues and trends in the IT industry. Promotes effective working relationships between CDC-Tanzania and the MOHSW health-care network’s IT resources and other external entities (e.g., vendors, researchers, and other health-care organizations). Provides technical assistance to CDC-Tanzania external partners in needs analysis, solution recommendations, implementation, training, and post-installation support.
May serve as chair or rotating chair on inter-agency technical working groups to ensure effective coordination of work plan development, implementation strategies, and evaluation plans for all USG agency care and support activities in Tanzania.
May be required to serve as a member and advisor on national committees for Health Information Management Systems. The purpose of these committees is to assess program needs and issues at national level and communicate these needs/issues to the relevant MOHSW planning and policy makers. The committees help to ensure consistency in the implementation of best practices for HMIS activities on a national level. Based on information received in the national committees, job holder may recommend revisions to the HMIS or ITC program policies and guidelines for health activities and programs.
Serves on intra- and inter-branch PEPFAR projects, frequently taking the project lead role. These projects are generally short-term in nature and most often have to do with special requirements for VIP visits, special PEPFAR tasking, etc. There tend to be 3-4 projects per year where position would take a lead role.
Administrative Management - 20%
Incumbent is responsible for providing oversight and monitoring the budgets allocated to ITC implementing/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, quarterly budget status reports, following up on irregular findings, providing advice for realignments of budgets and accruals.
Job holder maintains files and records in the CDC office data collection system specific to the activities and programs for which the incumbent is responsible. Job holder is responsible for data integrity and security of information in the reporting databases related to ITC (particularly any information on named individuals). Other program files include reports, meeting summaries and minutes, copies of all cooperative agreements, research determinations, panels, and awards. Whenever possible, these records will be filed electronically and entered into the reference system.
Responsible and accountable for information technology support services for all of CDC-Tanzania extramural activities, including the management of multiple information and communications systems and projects (for example, Wide Area Network, Laboratory Information Systems). Extra-mural IT projects currently exceed $3 million in FY09 and FY2010. Reviews progress reports, conducts site visits, analysis budgets verses expenditures for all IT extramural activities and makes recommendations to CDC and Interagency team regarding needs.
Oversees trouble-shooting activities to address major IT or communications equipment failure or unexpected interruption of IT support services, providing management with options for addressing the service interruption for the National AIDS Control Program and the National Institutes of Medical Research. Ensures the development and maintenance of an effective long range plan for restoring information technology support services in a timely manner in the event of a disaster.
Prepares and presents briefings for VIP visitors, participates in making arrangements for visits and serves as spokesman as required on matters within technical expertise. In coordination with the PEPFAR Country Coordinator, serves as control officer for site visits to care and support program activities by agency and inter-agency PEPFAR officials. Serves as an active member of relevant Inter-agency Technical Teams (ITTs) including Strategic Information and Health Systems Strengthening. Monitors and reviews the results, independently and as part of teams, achieved by up to 6 contractors and partners.
Other Duties as assigned - 10%
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.
- Education: Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science, Telecommunications, or evidence of major emphasis on these as part of another Bachelor’s program is required.
- Prior experience: A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in the private, non-profit or academic sector(s) implementing large scale information systems projects and telecommunications infrastructure. Experience should include database development, hardware and software installation, planning for large scale information system implementation, Wide Area Network installation and management, and familiarity with telecommunications operations and platforms.
- Language proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English and Kiswahili (speaking, writing, reading) are required. Incumbent must be able to compose complex written documents.
- Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge and experience in database development, hardware and software installation, planning for large scale information system implementation, Wide Area Network installation and management, and familiarity with Tanzania telecommunications operations and platforms is required. An in-depth knowledge of the range of ITC programs, policies, regulations and precedents applicable to development and administration of national/international public health programs is required.
Detailed knowledge of the host government health care information system and structures, including familiarity with MOHSW policies, program priorities and regulations is required. In-depth specialist knowledge of U.S. government HMIS programs and strategies, methods, processes and techniques used to plan, develop, implement and evaluate results of health programs is required. Good working knowledge of team management techniques to plan, organize and direct multi-disciplinary project teams and activities is required. Good working knowledge of overall administrative requirements, budgeting and fiscal management in support of contracts/cooperative agreements/grants/purchase requisitions is required.
Job holder is the in-country expert on all IT and communications technology issues, and must possess a broad range and in-depth understanding of all aspects of information technology, including computer network systems, software programs, data management systems and communications systems. In addition to technical expertise, job holder must have a thorough knowledge of CDC-Tanzania program activities in order to recommend the most appropriate information systems to colleagues and collaborators, and must be fully cognizant of CDC Atlanta and USG procurement policies for IT equipment. Job holder must also have a clear understanding of the external partner activities and policies in order to make appropriate recommendations to host country collaborators. - Skills and Abilities: Excellent oral and written communications skills to develop and maintain effective, sustainable working relationships with national and international health partners are required. The ability to lead results-driven project teams and workgroups is required. Ability to analyze, understand and discuss new program design, management and implementation approaches is required. This includes the development of evaluation designs, use of reliable and valid instruments, and methods for data collection, analysis and reports. The incumbent will be expected to exercise considerable ingenuity and tact in applying guidelines to unique and different settings, as the work is highly complex and can be threatening to stakeholders. Considerable innovation will be required to influence other collaborative organizations engaged in health programs to adopt appropriate strategies for their program activities. Expert user level of word processing, spreadsheets is required. Proficient development of databases is also required. Strong skills in interpretation of program monitoring and evaluation data are required. Numerical skills for data analysis are required. Must have demonstrated excellent analytical skills with the ability to fully comprehend program goals and objectives, evaluate effective alternatives, and implement strategies for meeting the needs of a large and complex organization. Must be able to make sound and independent judgments on the most appropriate IT and communications systems to meet program and partner needs. The position requires strong leadership, problem-solving and supervisory skills, and the incumbent must be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills in developing and maintaining relationships with internal and external staff at all levels.
SELECTION PROCESS
When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and US Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application.
ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA
1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
TO APPLY
Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:
- Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174); or
- A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or
- A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same informationsee section 3A below for more information); plus found on the UAE (
- Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.
- Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
3A. If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE.
Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.
- A. Position Title
B. Position Grade
C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known)
D. Dates Available for Work
E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
F. Date and Place of Birth
G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number)
I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No)
K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide
L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type
M. Days available to work
N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location)
O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference
P. Education
Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
R. Language Skills
S. Work Experience
T. References
SUBMIT APPLICATION TO
American Embassy
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam
POINT OF CONTACT
Telephone: 2668001, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: 2668321 or 2668238
The US Mission in Tanzania provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color religion, sex, national origin, 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.
SOURCE: EMBASSY Website
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: April 11, 2011
