Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, and Nutrition Team Senior Technical Advisor

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About Us

International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a U.S. based international development consulting company established in 1987, has worked in over 100 countries and implemented over 300 projects. IBTCI serves government agencies, private sector companies, and several donor agencies. IBTCI specializes in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) and institutional support across many areas and sectors including, but not limited to, conflict and crisis, democracy and governance, agriculture, economic growth, food security, education, environment, and global health.

Job Title: Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, and Nutrition Team Senior Technical Advisor

Department/Location: Remote based in the U.S.

Reports To: ISPI Project Manager

Type: Exempt – Regular Full-Time

Classification: Senior Level Advisor

Clearance Required: Facilities Access – to be applied for on hiring

Overview:

We are International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a global consulting firm working on some of the most complex and impactful development problems worldwide. We work on programs that help government agencies, private companies and donors improve the lives of others. At IBTCI you will be part of an inclusive team that provides expert solutions and advice to understand and address critical problems while giving you opportunities to succeed and grow.

The Global Health Training, Advisory and Support Contract (GHTASC) delivers effective global health programming to advance the mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Global Health (GH) through institutional support and workforce development services from junior, mid-level, senior and expert advisory and administrative professionals.

USAID/Nepal’s Health Office (HO) receives an annual budget of around $57 million, and within the HO, the MNCHN Team, is comprised of six staff, including the Team Lead and five technical specialists and advisors who manage 14 bilateral and field support activities, in addition to multiple core funded projects on maternal, newborn, child health (MNCH); nutrition; water security, sanitation and hygiene (WSSH); environment health; and rehabilitation. In addition, there are special initiatives under the MNCH umbrella including, but not limited to, lead mitigation and mental health.

The MNCHN Team Leader position will now be vacant until around September/October 2025. On behalf of USAID Nepal, IBTCI seeks to hire a Senior Technical Advisor to provide technical, programmatic, and operations support to the team and across the MNCH portfolio. The Senior Technical Advisor will provide technical support to at least five cooperating country national staff, which includes supporting AOR/COR/ Activity Managers to monitor program performance and progress, identify implementation achievements, challenges, and problems in performance, and initiate appropriate actions in consultation with other HO staff, and/or the Deputy and Office Director, as appropriate. The Senior Technical Advisor will review, edit, and provide feedback on internal and external documents and communication materials. The Senior Technical Advisor will support team communication and collaboration with counterparts in the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), Ministry of Forest and Environment, and other relevant ministries, provincial and municipal government counterparts, USAID/Washington counterparts, donor and multilateral partners, and non-governmental organizations working in the health sector. The Senior Technical Advisor will also provide technical assistance and advice to the overall HO, to USAID/Nepal, and to the Embassy on MNCH, nutrition, WSSH, clean air, mental health, lead, and other special initiatives, as required. USAID/Nepal requires a senior professional, preferable with knowledge of Nepal’s programs and context, USAID’s policies and procedures, and of MNCH and nutrition. Knowledge of WSSH and environmental health is also desired.

The Senior Technical Advisor will work closely with and receive technical guidance and support from Dr Kimberly Waller, Deputy Director of the Health Office.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Senior Technical Advisor will support the HO, providing strategic and technical direction across the MNCH, nutrition, WSSH, environment health, and special initiatives portfolio. This list of tasks is indicative.

1. 45% Time: Technical and Strategic Leadership

Serve as one of USAID’s technical experts, providing overall strategic and technical guidance and direction on MNCH, nutrition, WSSH, clean air, lead, mental health, and other special initiatives, ensure that activities in these areas are appropriately integrated with HO and larger Mission activities, and provide high level technical guidance to the Mission, National Government, provincial governments, and other development partners. This includes overseeing the development of the MCH Transition Plan in preparation for the mission’s MCH funds zeroing out by FY 2030.
Through literature review, research, and regular communication with local and international stakeholders, keep abreast of emerging developments in MNCH, nutrition, WSSH, clean air, lead, and mental health approaches. Advise accordingly on how “state of the art” and innovative approaches, policies, and strategies can be incorporated to enhance USAID’s programs.
Provide strategic leadership in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and reporting documents and media including: the Operational Plan, Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications, Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports and other ad hoc requests for information.
Organize site visits and prepare, review and/or edit orientation and briefing materials and talking points for visits by delegations from Mission leadership, USAID Headquarters (HQ), Department of State, other agencies, and Congress, representational events, etc.

2. 30% Time: Program/Project/Activity Management

Support the design of activities to improve health service delivery and system strengthening in the areas of MNCH, nutrition, WSSH, clean air, lead, and mental health. This includes support to ensure timely procurement of the USAID Better Health Activity and startup of the Integrated Nutrition Activity.
Provide guidance and support to team members who are serving as AORs/CORs/AMs, including: reviewing and providing feedback to implementing partners’ (IPs) annual work plan; facilitating IP relationships and coordination with local stakeholders (other IPs, host government counterparts, other development partners/donors, etc.); maintaining a schedule for and conducting regular site visits to review program implementation and meet with partners, and based on the information collected during such visits, recommending adjustments to programs/projects/activities as appropriate; monitoring IP compliance with bilateral government agreements, and with performance expectations; monitoring IP compliance with all relevant USAID regulations and procedures; supporting AOR/CORs/AMs with IP communications related to reinforcing USAID rules, regulations and obligations.
Support the preparation of the strategic and operational planning processes such as the USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and USAID Operational Plan (OP). Support the MNCHN team to keep the HO Deputy / Director regularly informed of program implementation progress, results, and issues/problems on a timely basis.

3. 25% Time: Representation and Reporting

As requested by the Deputy Director, participate in designated meetings that relate to MNCH, nutrition, WSSH, clean air, lead, and mental health, including participation and leadership in national and international technical working groups, professional associations, and related committees, as required.
Support HO staff and implementing partners to increase program visibility by producing media such as, success stories and social media content.
Support MNCHN team members to establish and maintain strategic working relationships with senior MOHP and other relevant government officials at the national and district level, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector, and professional associations, etc. to enhance regular and timely sharing of information on issues related to MNCH, nutrition, WSSH, clean air, lead, and mental health, including changes in key policies, and legal and regulatory environments that could affect the implementation of USAID programs.
As a member of the HO, respond flexibly and capably to a wide range of work-related requirements including responding to requests for information from Mission leadership, USAID/Washington and Congress.

Tasks:

Serve as technical expert in MNCH, nutrition, WSSH, clean air, lead, mental health, and other special initiatives.
Support development of MCH Transition Plan.
Support preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and reporting documents and media.
Support organization of site visits and prepare, review and/or edit orientation and briefing materials and talking points.
Support activity designs including the USAID Better Health Activity
Support startup of the Integrated Nutrition Activity
Provide guidance and support to HO AORs/CORs/AMs, ion activity/IP management and oversight
Support preparation of the strategic and operational planning processes.
Participate in designated meetings.
Support production of media such as, success stories and social media content.
Support MNCHN team members to establish and maintain strategic working relationships with relevant stakeholders.
Respond to a wide range of other work-related requirements.

Deliverables:

Final MCH Transition Plan: Sept/Oct 2024.
Reviewed, edited, and cleared MNCHN Team contributions to: Operational Plan, Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications, Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports, Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), Operational Plan (OP), resource requests, strategy documents, technical and scientific reports, briefings and presentations, etc.
High level and representational site visit schedules, orientation and briefing materials, talking points, as needed.
Feedback/inputs to activity work plans, site visit schedules and trip reports, and communications, as needed.
Notes from meetings with relevant ministries, development partners, USAID implementing partners, NGOs, technical working groups, professional associations, committees, etc., as needed.
Comprehensive monthly written consultancy report to USAID/Nepal at the end of every month.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

A minimum of ten years of prior high-level experience in progressively responsible experience in public health.
Prior work experience with USAID is required.
Working knowledge of technical and programmatic issues in MNCH and Nutrition is required.
Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, USAID implementing partners, central, provincial, district level and local level GON and nongovernmental organization counterparts.
Must possess high quality analytical skills and the ability to assess ongoing public health interventions to evaluate their efficacy and efficiency.
The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is essential.
Computer skills are required.
Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work in a team environment.
Language: Level IV (fluent) in English is required. Some Nepali language is desired.

Competencies/Performance Criterion

Innovation: Employee takes initiative to propose new ideas/approaches and demonstrates ability to find new and better ways to accomplish work.
Customer Service: Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image.
Accountability: Takes ownership of work responsibilities and holds high standards. Keeps commitments and takes appropriate actions to ensure obligations are met. Pursues efficiency and effectiveness and adheres to Organization policies and procedures.
Interpersonal Skills: Employee demonstrates ability to work in cooperation with others and communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, clients and other outside contacts.
Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues professional development that is aligned with organizational role, contribution, and goals. Proactively shares knowledge with others to foster learning across the Organization.

Education:

A master’s degree or local equivalent from an accredited program in Public Health, International Development, Health, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology, Biology, Infectious Disease, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, or Nutrition.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of WSSH, environmental health and rehabilitation context is desired.

Clearance Required: Facility Access: 1) electronic access to USAID systems (files) and a USAID.gov email address; and 2) physical access to USAID buildings (badging).

Physical Requirements: This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 20 lbs.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Travel: International travel may be required and may include travel to fragile and/or conflict-prone zones.

Work Authorization: Candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Application Information:

Prior to submitting your application your resume must include relevant paid and non-paid experience showing dates held with month, year and hours worked per week for each position. Please ensure that all relevant experience and education is documented on your resume. There is no limitation to resume length; updates to resumes will not be accepted during the interview and selection process

About the Organization:

IBTCI has been in business since 1987. We specialize in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL), Institutional Support (IS), Financial & Risk Management (FRM), Supply Chain Management & Procurement (SCMP); Social & Behavior Change (SBC) and Capacity Building. We provide these services across many sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture, resilience & food security, conflict & crisis, democracy & governance, economic growth & trade, education & human capacity development, energy & infrastructure, environment & climate change, global health & WASH and humanitarian and disaster assistance. At IBTCI, our colleagues are encouraged to collaborate and be part of the solution while getting the tools and guidance needed to grow and support our clients’ missions.

IBTCI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other classification protected by applicable anti-discrimination laws. We prohibit and do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability, or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact the Talent Acquisition team at TalentAcquisition@ibtci.com (Do not send your resume to this account, for consideration please apply in our career page, https://careers.ibtci.com/jobs).