Public Health Specialist (Treatment) at the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria comprises of the Embassy in Abuja, FCT, and the Consulate General in Lagos. U.S. Consulate General Lagos is the Mission’s representative to the Nigerian people in the southern region.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Public Health Specialist (Treatment) - All Interested Candidates (Senior Program Specialist - Adult Treatment)

Announcement Number: Abuja-2022-066
Location: Abuja
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja
Series / Grade: LE - 0550 11
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week
Promotion Potential: LE-11

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
  • For USEFM - FP is 04.  Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
  • All Interested Applicants / All Sources
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period.

Summary

• The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 hours per week)
• Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (6 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances / certifications or their candidacy may end.
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
• Travel Required:
  • 25% or less
  • Incumbent is expected to visit DOD project site within Nigeria to ensure on quality care care and treatment  aspects of HIV/AIDS Team project.

Duties
Basic Function:

• The incumbent is a senior advisor and provides technical expertise for the management of the adult HIV treatment program for the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) branch in Nigeria, the U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa/Nigeria (USAMRD-A/N).
• The Senior Program Specialist - Adult Treatment will provide technical and program expertise to the HIV Team and the Care and Support Technical Working Group to ensure implementation and scale-up of the adult HIV interventions.
• S/he will interact with the Nigerian Ministry of Defence (NMOD) and the implementing partner (IP), the Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF), managing day-to-day HIV treatment-related activities, monitoring and evaluating progress, and providing technical advice to relevant stakeholders.
• S/he coordinates and monitors quality HIV activities in order to facilitate the implementation of the USAMRD-A/N’s strategy through site visits, reporting, and trends analysis, and works in close collaboration with others to ensure implementation of effective treatment activities.
• S/he ensures high-quality HIV services are being provided in accordance with national and international standards, across U.S. President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) sites.
• S/he works with the USG Treatment team to strengthen implementation of PEPFAR’s strategic and programmatic directions.
• S/he keeps abreast of current publications and information on HIV program, issues, and concerns, and their impact on programming in developing countries, in order to advise the USAMRD-A/N and PEPFAR leadership on all issues related to HIV treatment program/project activities.
• The job holder is expected to work at secondary locations for about 25% of the time.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Education Requirements:

• A Professional Degree in Medicine (MBBS or equivalent, or MD) and a Master's Degree in Public Health – MPH or a Fellowship in Public Health or Internal Medicine from the Nigerian National Postgraduate Medical College or the West African College of Physicians is required.
• Note: NYSC Certificate or Exemption document is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience working in areas related to HIV/AIDS treatment, care, and support is required.
• Two (2) years of this experience should be in the quality management for HIV care and treatment monitoring with good data analytics skills.
• Experience related to the delivery of HIV/AIDS treatment and mitigation programs, and prior experience with coordinating HIV quality improvement initiatives, etc. is required.

Job Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the major issues affecting people with or affected by HIV/AIDS in all geographic regions in Nigeria is required, including technical, social and cultural aspects.
• State-of-the art, specialized knowledge of the public health aspects of managing HIV/AIDS treatment programs, and evidence-based treatment practices and policies are required.
• A demonstrated knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of GoN policies and programs in the sector is required.
• A thorough knowledge of the Nigerian economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics, and the history of development assistance, in particular as related to health in Nigeria, including current trends and directions, is required.
• Job holder must have an excellent understanding of the public health system in Nigeria and a good working knowledge of U.S. Government public health programs and strategies, especially those related to PEPFAR.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of GoN policies and programs in the sector is required. 

Evaluations:

• This may be tested. Please specify your level of proficiency in the language listed. 

Language:

• Fluency reading / speaking / writing of English is required. 

Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to work effectively with mid and senior level public and private sector officials from the GoN and IPs.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment, and coordinate well with others.
• The work requires excellent writing and computer skills, in order to develop presentations, reports, etc.
• Diplomacy, tact, cultural sensitivity, and Team participation are required in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships within USAMRD-A/N and with the NMOD.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and stay organized in a complex, frequently changing environment is a requirement.
• Demonstrated advanced analytical skills and problem solving, as well as the ability to effectively manage stress and conflict is required.
• Intermediate skills in calculation; measurement and data analysis; understanding trends; and interpreting relationship between numbers is required.
• Keyboard / typing skills is required, with working speed & accuracy. Ability to travel within Nigeria up to 25% of time is required.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):  

• The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Qualifications:

• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits
Agency Benefits:

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Abuja, Nigeria may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
• For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
• The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

Other Information:

• For the current COVID-19 Requirements please visit the following link.
• Hiring Preference Selection Process: Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

Hiring Preference Order:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

* Important

• Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification.  A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
• ** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
• For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

Marketing Statement:

• We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Salary
NGN5,890,203 (USD60,061) Annually.

Application Closing Date
17th June, 2022.

How to Apply
Interestes and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Information

• All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust clearance.
• To apply for this position click the “APPLY TO THIS VACANCY” button at the top of the page. Click on the “Submit Application” button to complete your application process.  For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.

Required Documents
To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.

All Applicants:

• Residency and/or Work Permit
• Degree (not transcript)
• NYSC Certificate or Exemption document
• Certificate or License.

Eligible Family Member Applicants:

• Copy of Sponsor's Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)

Next Steps:

• Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
• For further information - the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
• Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Abuja, Nigeria.