Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), in collaboration with the US Forest Service, as a part of the US Agency for International Development’s programs in Latin America and the Caribbean (USAID), may require the services of a Zika Regional Coordinator to support tasks associated with the Zika response.
If the US Forest Service were to secure the services of an individual with these technical skills, the successful applicant would be hired through a contractor.
Background:
The US Forest Service and the LAC/RSD collaborate on a number of activities throughout the Latin America and Caribbean region. The Office of Regional Sustainable Development in the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC/RSD) is responsible for providing technical leadership, regional expertise and advice to the Bureau and Agency in the areas of democracy and participation, economic growth, the environment, population/health, and education. The Zika Regional Coordinator will join the Health Team in LAC/RSD. The Health Team is responsible for carrying out a regional health program whose primary functions are to: collaborate with the Global Health Bureau (GH) to advance Agency health priorities; provide technical support for USAID’s field-based health programs; manage regional health activities in maternal and child health, family planning and reproductive health, infectious diseases, and health systems strengthening; facilitate coordination among LAC field missions, the LAC/Front Office, desk officers, and other USAID/Washington operating units; engage in cross-sectoral programming; and support the growth of regional health partnerships and institutions.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The Zika Regional Coordinator will be based in the LAC/RSD Health Team in Washington, DC. The Zika Regional Coordinator will lead LAC participation in internal and external communications within and external to USAID, especially with other United States Government (USG) agencies and multilateral donors. S/he will assist with the completion of tasks associated with the Zika response, including reporting. The Zika Regional Coordinator will work closely with the GH, Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA), and other Bureaus and the Office of Budget and Resource Management (BRM) at USAID.
The primary responsibilities of the Zika Regional Coordinator will include:
Lead LAC Bureau planning, communication, scheduling, and reporting related to Zika
- Lead Zika-related planning and reporting requirements.
- Develop, review, and/or provide inputs to briefers and other communication materials related to USAID’s Zika programming.
- Develop and provide input to Zika-related documents for senior management.
- Assist in formulating responses to congressional inquiries or requests.
- Support LAC Missions in planning, communications, and reporting.
- Improve internal capacity to meet demands related to the Zika response by supporting communications between LAC, GH, BRM, and LPA.
- Provide other support to LAC or GH Bureau as needed.
Coordinate communications between USAID field missions and USAID/Washington
- Coordinate inputs from Mission staff.
- Collaborate with LAC/RSD and GH Bureau team members to identify and leverage areas where Zika activities can contribute to or benefit from other programs.
Coordinate with the USG interagency and other partners
- Collaborate closely with colleagues from Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH); State Department; National Security Council; and Department of Defense.
- Ensure USAID’s equities are represented in USG and multilateral settings, products, etc.
- Actively participate and occasionally lead meetings between USAID and multilateral partners, host government officials, and others to improve and streamline the Zika response in LAC.
Other
- Support USAID Field Missions, as needed
- Backstop the Zika Regional Health Advisor and fill in for him/her as needed
- Other tasks or responsibilities may be added based on (a) organizational and programing needs and/or (b) the Coordinator’s own interest, including training and professional development.
- International travel approximately 20-25%, especially to Zika-affected countries.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree or higher in public health, international development, or related field plus a minimum 5 years of experience working in global health and/or development programs; OR Bachelor’s degree in public health, international development, or related field plus a minimum 8 years of experience working on global health and/or development programs.
- Demonstrated broad knowledge of public health issues and the ability to communicate them.
- Excellent interpersonal communication (especially diplomacy, tact), oral communication and writing skills
- Ability to speak, read, write and make presentations in both Spanish and English required. Spanish fluency preferred.
- Experience in project management and planning.
- Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills working on complex projects in a highly-sensitive, fast-paced environment where priorities can change rapidly.
- Ability to work within tight time constraints to produce high-quality work products.
- Experience with USAID processes and procedures, including programming, budgeting, and evaluation, both in USAID/Washington and in USAID Missions preferred.
- Understanding of programs and organizational aspects of major international donors, multilateral organizations, and NGOs supporting the social sector.
- Proven decision-making skills, sound judgment, and strong analytical skills.
- Ability to manage and work successfully with diverse teams and individuals as well as independently.
- Ability to clearly and convincingly articulate an evidence-based vision, as well as USAID and USG policies regarding Zika and related topics to a variety of audiences, including host country experts, ministry staff, and other donors, and U.S. Government and USAID colleagues.
- Computer proficiency required. Experience with Google products including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Sites and cloud technologies preferred. Willingness to learn new software and programs is required.
- Ability to travel internationally required, especially to Zika-affected countries.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:
- This position is for one year but may be extended up to two additional years.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to the HR Department at METI toIPJOBS@meticorp.com with Zika Regional Coordinator in the subject line and indicate where you saw this posting in the body of the email; fax: 915-772-2253. METI is an Equal Opportunity Employer: M/F/V/D www.meticorp.com
