Senior Nutrition and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Advisor, US Agency for International Development, Mali [deadline 9 January]

Global Health Fellows Program II
Technical Advisor III: Senior Nutrition and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Advisor 
Health Team, USAID/Mali
Assignment: Two year fellowship
Location: Bamako, Mali
GHFP II-P1-018

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with CDC Development Solutions and Management Systems International. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by developing and increasing the capacity of health professionals with tailored development opportunities. This is accomplished through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels, and professional development activities aimed to enhance the technical and leadership skills of global health professionals. 

BACKGROUND
USAID/Mali’s Health and Accelerated Economic Growth Teams are implementing USAID/Mali’s approved Feed the Future Initiative Strategy and the US Government Mali-approved Global Health Initiative (GHI). Through USAID leadership in these initiatives, USAID will advance global stability and prosperity by improving the most basic of human conditions – the need that families and individuals have for a reliable source of quality food and sufficient resources to access and purchase it. 

GHI works with partner countries to improve health outcomes through strengthened health systems with a particular focus on bolstering the health of women, newborns and children by combating infectious diseases and providing quality health services. GHI aims to maximize the sustainable health impact the US achieves for every dollar invested. The principles underlying the foundation of GHI are the following: 1) Implement a woman- and girl-centered approach; 2) Increase impact through strategic coordination and integration; 3) Strengthen and leverage key multilateral organizations, global health partnerships and private sector engagement; 4) Encourage country ownership and invest in country-led plans; 5) Build sustainability through health systems strengthening; 6) Improve metrics, monitoring and evaluation; and 7) Promote research and innovation. Specifically, the GHI nutrition goal is to reduce child undernutrition by 30 percent across assisted food-insecure countries, in conjunction with the Feed the Future initiative. 

Feed the Future is a five-year Presidential initiative to reduce poverty and food insecurity and improve nutritional status of women and children in focus countries over a period of five years (2010-2015). Feed the Future pursues two paths: (1) addressing the root causes of hunger that limit the potential of millions of people; and (2) establishing a lasting foundation for change by aligning our resources with country-owned processes and sustained, multi-stakeholder partnerships. The initiative promotes a value chain approach to increasing agricultural productivity and rural incomes, with complementary activities to promote improved health status within these same communities. The Feed the Future nutrition goal mirrors the GHI goal, through a common, mission-wide strategy that integrates across sectors. 

In Mali, USAID has recognized the important link between water access, quality, sanitization, and hygiene, and nutritional status, and has further integrated USAID’s investments to reflect this important issue. As such, USAID/Mali implements a joint, intersectoral strategy for nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) under these two initiatives.

INTRODUCTION
The Senior Nutrition and WASH Advisor serves as a member of the Health Team and routinely works with the Accelerated Economic Growth team to plan, implement and report on Feed the Future per the initiative’s reporting requirements. S/he will serve as the primary technical lead for the $7 million USAID/Mali nutrition and WASH portfolio. The Senior Nutrition and WASH Advisor provides technical assistance on nutrition programs, including country nutrition and WASH programming strategies, program data analysis and preparation of reports for Congress and US Government leadership on nutrition and WASH program implementation. S/he will receive day to day guidance and onsite management from the Health Team Leader.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary responsibilities of the Senior Nutrition and WASH Advisor include:

• Provide technical assistance for the design, implementation, and monitoring of multi-sectoral nutrition and WASH programs
• Provide project management support to USAID/Mali projects, including technical review and strategic input on work plans and reports as well as analysis and dissemination of project results
• Contribute to USAID’s strategic planning for activities related to nutrition, WASH and food security
• Collect and compile examples of evidence-based and innovative programming approaches to document and share with the Mission
• Provide technical expertise to the production of key strategic documentation, presentations and dissemination activities for USAID/Mali for nutrition and WASH activities in the context of Feed the Future and the Global Health Initiative
• Contribute to the Health Team’s strategic approach to programming related to nutrition, health, infectious diseases and food security
• Coordinate data collection and analysis from USAID/Mali programs to monitor and track progress on key nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene outcomes to inform reports for Congress and USG leadership
• Apply public health expertise to assist with the development and review of technical documents and guidelines for the Mission
• Monitor and analyze trends and issues and apply this analysis to USAID/Mali nutrition and WASH programs
• Work closely with Foreign Service National staff to transfer skills in USAID project management and reporting
• Plan, participate, facilitate and present at international, domestic and local meetings, workshops and conferences
• Present USAID’s position in the domains of nutrition and WASH to key stakeholders in Mali

Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Technical Advisor’s own interests.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in human nutrition, public health or related discipline
• Minimum ten years’ experience in designing, implementing, and managing nutrition, food security, or related health programs in developing countries, with at least three to five years’ experience in a developing country or resource-challenged setting
• Proficient analytical skills that demonstrate an understanding of the current concepts, priorities, and issues in program data collection and evaluation
• Understanding of US Government budgeting, procurement policies and procedures, and US Government reporting required
• Experience working with USAID/Washington and USAID Missions, host country governments, cooperating agencies, and/or international Private Voluntary Organizations required
• Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and writing skills
• High degree of maturity and demonstrated ability to work well with diverse teams
• French fluency required at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) equivalent level 3 speaking and level 3 reading (reference: www.ghfp.net/docs/ForeignServiceLanguageRatings.pdf)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a medical clearance to live and work in Mali
• US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency required

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programshttp://www.ghfp.net/docs/2012_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.pdf

TO APPLY:
All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system athttps://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application. All online applications must be submitted by January 9, 2012 5:00 pm eastern time.

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