KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is seeking a
Full time Regional TB/MDR -TB Specialist for the USAID Regional Approaches for Eradicating Tuberculosis (RAFET) program in Central Asia
Duty station: Almaty, Kazakhstan
This position is readvertised. Originally the position was open for Kazakhstan nationals only. It is now changed into an expatriate position. The workstation is unchanged: Almaty, Kazakhstan
KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation
KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis (TB), and related health problems like HIV, antimicrobial resistance, and COVID-19. Tuberculosis is the deadliest infectious disease in the world. Being an international knowledge center, KNCV promotes effective, efficient, innovative and situation specific strategies and solutions to eliminate TB and related health problems in a national and international context.
Our multidisciplinary team of passionate professionals covers a broad range of expertise in the areas of programmatic prevention and management of TB and related health problems; new diagnostics, drugs, and regimens; evidence generation and dissemination; clinical management, people centered care, and stigma reduction; laboratory technologies and networks; education; mobile and digital health solutions and surveillance; strategic planning and advocacy; communications and project management.
KNCV’s regional office for Central Asia is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Purpose of the position
KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is seeking an Expat Regional TB/MDR-TB Specialist for the USAID Regional Approaches For Eradicating Tuberculosis (RAFET) program in Central Asia. The goal of this activity is to reduce the burden of tuberculosis, particularly drug‐resistant tuberculosis (DR‐TB), in the Central Asia region, through 1) support to regional cooperation and collaboration that will allow forward progress on challenges that the region faces , such as labor migration of people being treated for TB, data sharing to understand trending epidemiology and increasing drug resistance; 2) capitalize on the many innovative practices each country has already invested in and ensure they are shared widely and replicated if appropriate, so all five National TB Programs continue to demonstrate progress. Under this last objective, there will also be limited targeted bilateral technical interventions in Kazakhstan, with a focus on the Innovate and Sustain pillars of the USAID Global TB Strategy 2023‐2030. The project will be implemented in the following countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The Regional TB/MDR-TB specialist will be responsible for the strategic planning, coordination, oversight, and technical support to program implementation in the region.
The position will be based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Position within the organization
The TB/MDR-TB specialist is a key staff member of the RAFET activity and is accountable to the Chief of Party.
Job profile
The Regional TB/MDR-TB specialist provides strategic planning, oversight, and technical support for program implementation in the region, especially regarding implementing and rolling out innovative combined TB/MDR-TB efforts with demonstrated success in the region regarding prevention, diagnosis and treatment , consensus building among stakeholders for regional approaches addressing common regional issues and the regional learning hub.
Key responsibilities
- Provide senior level strategic and programming guidance, including assisting with the preparation and/or review of strategies and program plans to address MDR TB within context of overall USAID assistance plans/programs for TB.
- Leading and strategically guiding annual technical activity planning and implementation, in all activity priority areas.
- Provide technical guidance related to the MDR TB component of regional strategies and programs.
- Providing coordination, oversight, and technical assistance for the implementation of the annual plans to partners and implementers.
- Together with stakeholders detecting the need for program adjustments within regional and national healthcare programs, identifying additional technical assistance needs.
- Coordinating facilitation and provision of technical assistance and learning for exchange of effective innovations, best practices, and experiences in scale-up of innovations between countries in the region, especially regarding the introduction of new MDR TB drugs and regimen.
- Review and synthesize information about USAID programs to address MDR TB, and use this information to recommend adjustments in program direction as needed.
- Identifying programmatic needs for additional, targeted technical assistance and support from partners.
- Support local organizations on capacity strengthening in support of management of TB and MDR TB, and their engagement in TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
- Encouraging innovations and approaches to address specific TB/MDR-TB challenges in countries and regionally.
- Supporting the dissemination of best practices and lessons learned through the participation at regional and global conferences and workshops
- Prepare and present technical presentations at regional USAID health officers meetings and workshops as appropriate
- Coordinating and supporting the communication with Civil Society organization and community representatives
- Contributing to USAID reporting and documentation of best practices and project results, led by the MEL specialist
Requirements
Education:
- Master’s degree in TB, Health, Public Health and/or a related field.
- Thorough knowledge of WHO guidelines and standards regarding prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for people with different forms of MDR TB
Experience:
- Minimum of ten years of experience with TB prevention and care efforts in the Central Asian Region, preferably internationally.
- Experience in implementing TB/MDR-TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment interventions, including the introduction of new MDR-TB drugs and regimens.
- Demonstrated experience in international positions.
- Demonstrated experience in processes working with government, technical, donor, and civil society partners and achieving consensus results.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning of TB programming as well as in the implementation of health projects and/or evaluation of health programs.
- Knowledge of health systems in Central Asia countries.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with key international TB and MDR-TB initiatives and organizations.
Skills:
- Excellent English and Russian verbal and written communication skills. Ability to speak Central Asian languages is preferred.
- Excellent communications, organizational and interpersonal skills.
What we offer
- Fixed-term contract (for the duration of the project)
- Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience
- Relocation costs and housing allowances will be covered
- Dynamic work environment
Application and information
You can apply for this position by submitting your CV, including a motivation letter and 3 professional references, before September 30 2024 6pm Astana time via tatyana.pushkina@kncvtbc.org. For more information, please contact Tatyana Pushkina at her email address. For further information on KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, please see www.kncvtbc.org.