Job Description
Position Title: Senior Technical Advisor – KENPHIA II
Reporting to: KENPHIA II Director
Job Location: Nairobi, with frequent travel within Kenya
Job Summary
KENPHIA II Senior Technical Advisor (STA) will report to the KENPHIA Director and oversee provision of high-quality technical assistance and the day-to-day operations of a national population-level HIV impact assessment (PHIA) in Kenya. The Advisor will be responsible for the oversight/management and integration of efforts of all key technical leads and smooth roll-out and implementation of the survey. S/He will be responsible for coordinating and supporting the field teams, oversee the activities of sub-contractors, and support the overall implementation of the PHIA. The incumbent will also actively support staff capacity building activities on the study protocol, procedures, policies, and relevant regulations and ensure that the study protocol, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other relevant policies and regulations are implemented with strictly fidelity. The STA will monitor and report on the study site’s progress.
Roles and Responsibilities
1. Key member of the KENPHIA secretariat expected to capacity build and guide the technical teams on key strategies for successful and timely implementation of the KENPHIA II.
2. Technically support all aspects of the PHIA project, including protocol development and development and implementation of SOPs as well as ensure the teams understand and adhere to the protocol, SOPs, and other appropriate regulations, procedures and policies as well as assist in drafting and revising training manuals, as needed.
3. Work closely with representatives from the Ministries of Health (MoH), CDC and other key stakeholders and members of the technical working groups to discuss the project’s progress and address any challenges or issues that arise during the implementation of the project.
4. Consistently engage with stakeholders to ensure that any changes in the direction, scope or strategies of the survey that may arise are integrated into the implementation plan and create effective and efficient communication channels between key stakeholder’s by organizing meetings, conference calls, and regular engagement forums.
5. Technically support with identifying, recruiting, training and supervising the PHIA project staff, as needed.
6. Create and ensure enabling environments for high-functioning technical teams that can deliver on PHIA projects by providing key technical oversight and working closely with all technical leads across the different aspects of the survey to ensure high quality outputs, timely execution of assigned tasks as well as carry out frequent field visits as necessitated to ensure timely recruitment of participants and collection of high-quality data.
7. Work closely with, support and coordinate external contractors to ensure accurate and timely completion of contracted scopes of work while adhering to GCP and protecting human subjects’ research.
8. Ensures that all technical leads are having cross-cutting interactions to drive the survey on all fronts with high level of quality and efficiency as well as ability to objectively review and provide critical feedback to country teams
9. Act as a liaison and technical coordinator for all survey monitors during the course of field activities and bridge the administration and technical teams efficiently
10. Ensure that PHIA staff maintain the confidentiality of study participants and adhere to principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ethics of human subject’s research.
11. Actively participate in preparing scientific analyses, abstracts and publications.
12. Prepare progress and other technical reports and study documents as required and assigned as well as any other duties as assigned
Experience, Academic Qualifications and Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
1. Doctoral degree or a Masters in Public Health, Medical, Social Sciences, or related discipline with 5 – 10 years’ experience implementing large-scale, household-based surveys or other donor funded programs of similar size, scope and complexity of which at least 3 years were at senior level supervising and/ or managing regional or national teams in a field/household setting
2. Previous experience in field implementation of HIV/AIDS programs as well as knowledge and practical experience in HIV community-based research and ethical requirements
3. Proven ability to collaborate with National and local government stakeholders, international donors, and local partners at national and sub-national levels; Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work successfully with various stakeholders and professionally represent the organization and ability to foster teamwork
4. Proficiency in MS Office suite as well as using flowcharts, spreadsheets, timelines and making PowerPoint presentations etc., that can be shared with partners and senior staff.
5. Excellent coordinator and motivator with organizational and project management skills as well as ability to multitask and work with multidisciplinary teams with ability to clearly synthesize thoughts, ideas of teams and chart progress towards set goals and to communicate ideas and strategies clearly and succinctly
6. Ability to exercise sound judgment independently, provide innovation where required, Flexibility, high energy, and a strong team player. Willingness to change tasks on short notice and pitch in on team strategy when needed. Ability to strategically plan ahead and work with minimal supervision
7. Strong work ethic, high level of dedication and integrity, high level of attention to detail and task orientation; ability to manage workload and meet tight deadlines as well as willingness to travel for fieldwork (for extended periods occasionally) at regular intervals.