Rapid Response Advisor

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Oversees day-to-day implementation of emergency activities with complex scope that require evaluation of variable and rapidly evolving situations in the local region.
• Demonstrates strong judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to respond to emerging infectious disease threats and confirmed outbreaks with little supervision.
• Networks with key internal and external STRIDES personnel; liaises with STRIDES Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to measure the Activity’s emerging response interventions against project-wide and emergency response-specific indicators.
• Provides input to STRIDES Country Project Director on national guidelines and normative policies for emergency and outbreak response; coordinates with FHI 360’s communication team to highlight the Activity’s success stories and best practices specific to emergency response interventions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Project Design Implementation:

• Leads the creation of the emergency/outbreak response of STRIDES workplans within given resource and financial constraints.
• Coordinates with STRIDES technical and programmatic staff to ensure that emergency/outbreak response activities are performed as per award requirements and consistent with FHI 360 policy, and that they contribute to meeting the 7-1-7 target.
• Defines and develops solutions for major challenges identified under STRIDES.
• Contributes to planning and making recommendations for STRIDES implementation.
• Influences design and scope of STRIDES initiatives and programs in the emergency/outbreak response technical focus area.
• Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components.
• Ensures technical implementation is consistent with best practices in emergency response and meets donor contractual obligations including providing oversight and direction to other STRIDES team members.
• Coordinates with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field throughout implementation of emergency response activities in-country and/or regionally.

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

• Develop strategies to grow FHI 360’s capabilities in emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.
• Participate in donor meetings and provide technical input and leadership.
• Represents STRIDES and FHI 360 to external entities at professional meetings and conferences.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with STRIDES donor, relevant USG agencies, and bilateral and other key partners and is consistently viewed as a knowledgeable resource in emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.
• Continually maintains a dialogue and technical exchange with in-country USG/interagency, host government counterparts and technical staff members from key partners throughout emergency/outbreak response.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities through rapid development of emergency response workplans, plan for the successful implementation of activities, and monitor performance over the life of the response.
• In-depth functional knowledge of global health security (GHS) best practices, specifically related to emergency and outbreak response within the USG context, and maintain a detailed understanding of related interventions within FHI 360.
• General understanding of the external environment and how it affects emergency/outbreak preparedness and response across STRIDES, including political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences.
• Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exchange information, present recommendations and collaborate with STRIDES colleagues and peers and external partners.
• Ability to influence others of the benefits/importance of an idea of plan of action and to gain their support or commitment.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.
• Excellent and demonstrated leadership skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication and analytical skills in French and English.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Is sought out to provide advice or solutions in emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.
• Is informed about current developments in GHS and emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.
• Works under broad direction with considerable latitude for independent action.
• Specific actions are guided primarily by professional standards and expected STRIDES outcomes.
• Decisions and actions have an impact on STRIDES operations; impact on the broader organization is generally indirect.
• Problems encountered are complex and may involve unprecedented circumstances; resolution requires investigation, analysis, and review of professional/organizational standards.
• Faulty decisions or recommendations will normally result in critical delays and modifications to projects or operations, cause substantial expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds; and jeopardize future business activity.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Work is reviewed in terms of meeting the STRIDES objectives on time and within budget.
• Accomplishes results through STRIDES senior management and in-country teams.
• May assist in team management as necessary.
• Typically reports to the Country Project Director.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Knowledge/Information Services, Communications, Health, Behavioral, Life/Social Sciences, International Development, Human Development or Related Field.
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience:

• Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience in designing and evaluating applicable programs/services—may manage activities of lower-level staff, however, main function is individual contributor.
• Documented leadership implementing GHS-focused projects with an emphasis on emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.
• Relevant publications, presentations, reports, and manual/tool development.
• Proficient experience in current program developments in emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.
• Years of work experience that demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of the GHS space and emergency/outbreak preparedness and response best practices.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization, U.S. government agency, or private organization.
• Prior experience implementing USG-funded contracts strongly preferred.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 2.5kg.

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:

10%-25%

The expected hiring salary range for this role is  XAF  20,000,000 - 28,000,000 for annual gross salary for national local hire. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay,  and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines.