ZemiTek, LLC is a Woman-Owned, SBA-certified 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) based in the Washington, DC metro area. We have a strong record delivering innovative and high-quality solutions. Since 2007, ZemiTek has provided technical assistance, project management, information technology (IT), knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, training and learning development, and institutional support services.

The Senior Global Health Security (GHS) Advisor will support in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives.  The primary focus of the Adviser will be technical support with a special emphasis on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats which impact public health. 

The Senior GHS Advisor will support the appropriate multi-sectoral Government Departments and Agencies - such as the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, and Environment- for the effective adoption and implementation of life saving interventions focusing on preventing, detecting and responding to infectious disease threats with public health potential, such as zoonotic diseases. The Senior GHS Advisor will identify programmatic bottlenecks and facilitate solutions through coordinated technical support and facilitation of effort through the GHS projects and Pandemic Fund (where applicable). The Senior GHS Advisor will be based within the appropriate Ministry.  The Advisor will receive directions from the appropriate Ministry staff, who will serve as the onsite Manager/Supervisor.  Familiarity with USAID programming and C/AOR experience are highly desirable as the Advisor is expected to support the implementation of the GHS portfolio.  The Advisor will report to the U.S. Department of State/USAID on a weekly and monthly basis.

Support multisectoral ministries in effective delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) through utilization of domestic and donors’ (e.g. the Pandemic Fund, Global Fund when relevant such as COVID-19 response funds).

• Assist the relevant ministries with effective delivery of LHA GHS services, including but not limited:
  • community-based active surveillance,
  • systems capacity for detecting priority diseases/threats,
  • data systems for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on threats,
  • infection prevention and control (IPC), including commodities and WASH in healthcare facilities,
  • case management and Emergency Management including Emergency Operating Centers (EOC) and Point of Entry Screening,
  • Risk Communication and Community Engagement,
  • Emergency outbreak response.

• Provide technical support and actively engage with the field to implement programmatic and response interventions at national and sub-national levels.
• Assist in monitoring the progress of GHS program implementation and provide recommendations for improvements in service delivery.
• Help organize regular discussions among the multisectoral stakeholders and partners to ensure alignment of technical approaches in the respective GHS portfolio.
• Provide support to the appropriate multisectoral ministries in identification of performance gaps, potential barriers and bottlenecks, and facilitate consensus on targeted interventions to improve performance on key indicators attributable to:
  • reduction in incidence and mortality for epidemic and pandemic prone diseases.
  • strengthening systems to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats;
  • rapid and effective responses to infectious disease outbreaks which threaten public health.

Support the implementation and expansion of best practices in GHS and outbreak response nationwide.

• Support MOH and other relevant Ministries in routine review of service delivery processes and outcomes.
• Promote the dissemination of best practices and effective models nationwide.
• Promote prioritized interventions in effective community-based active surveillance, strengthening systems capacity for detecting priority diseases/threats, and data systems for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on threats.
• Support and strengthen Emergency Management including Emergency Operating Centers (EOC) and Point of Entry Screening. Risk communication.
• Support the relevant Ministries to rapidly and accurately report infectious diseases threats to the relevant, domestic and international system– such as the International Health Regulations (IHR) and World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) for quick responses to pandemic threats.
  • Work with the Ministry of Health and USG implementing partners to develop sustainable surveillance systems, using event-based (EBS) and indicator-based surveillance (IBS) systems, to detect events of significance for public health and health security.
  • Strengthen detection capacity and systems at the national and sub-national level for both human and animal laboratory networks and increase access to quality laboratory services for diseases of public health importance.
  • Provide technical assistance to develop and strengthen host country capacity in data collection, analysis and reporting for actionable disease prevention and response decision making.
  • Provide targeted technical surveillance and detection assistance during an outbreak.
• Assist the relevant multisectoral Ministers in emergency outbreak responses as needed.
• Assist the relevant multisectoral Ministries to achieve the relevant GHS related targets including the WHO Joint External Evaluation (JEE)^[1]; IHR States Parties Self-Assessment (SPAR)^[2]; and the Pandemic Fund Framework^[3] which includes reporting on the 7-1-7 target (7 days to detect, 1 day to report, 7 days to complete the initial response).
• Assist and provide information to USAID/State to prepare U.S. Government workplans and reports.

Support the relevant Ministries in effective utilization of Pandemic Fund grants, other donors’ resources, and emergency outbreak responses efforts.

• Provide technical support to develop Pandemic Fund grant applications and support grant implementation review to ensure effective grant implementation and avoid duplication with US Government funded projects.
• Consult relevant stakeholders on required technical assistance.
• Assist in monitoring the progress of grant implementation.
• Review and analyze performance reports submitted to the Pandemic Fund and other partners.
• Help organize regular discussions among the relevant multisectoral stakeholders, Ministries, and donors, and U.S. State Department to ensure alignment of technical approaches in respective GHS portfolios.
• Support emergency outbreak response including assisting with mobilizing resources, coordination of efforts, and technical support for efforts to contain and respond to the outbreak.

Communications:

• Regular conference calls with multisectoral stakeholders US Embassy and GHSD Washington to review progress, discuss activities and address emerging issues.
• The GHS Technical Advisor should provide information and avail him/herself for calls/meetings with the US Embassy as requested.
• The Advisor will provide monthly reports to US Embassy/U.S. Department of State

REPORTING:

The Senior Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. Department of State, submitted by the 5th day of the following month.   Additionally, the Advisor will submit a weekly progress report to USAID (and participate in weekly calls) to include a short paragraph about the main successes for that week. 

Education Background

• Advanced Degree: A master’s or doctoral degree in public health, epidemiology, global health, medicine, or a related field.

Professional Experience

• Experience in Global Health Security: Significant professional experience, at least 7 to 10 years in global health security, infectious disease prevention and control, or health systems strengthening.
• Leadership and Management: Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex projects, and coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and implementing partners.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in areas such as: Implementation of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), disease surveillance and outbreak response, laboratory systems strengthening, risk communication and community engagement.
• USG experience: At least 5 years of USG experience as well as partners management

Skills and Competencies

• Leadership and Advisory Skills: Proven ability to provide high-level technical advice to government officials, international organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Project Management: Experience managing complex health programs, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Partnership Development: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, donors, NGOs, and community organizations.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, NGOs, and multilateral organizations.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and French (French is essential for Côte d’Ivoire).

Additional Requirements

• Language Proficiency: Fluency in French is typically required, as it is the official language of Côte d’Ivoire. Proficiency in English is also important for communication with international stakeholders. 

ZemiTek is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, ZemiTek will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to accommodations@zemitek.com.