Main purpose of job:

The purpose of the Global Fund Accelerator (GFA) Programme is to improve the delivery and impact of Global Health initiatives, to leverage UK funding to the Global Fund to fight the three diseases, strengthen health systems towards universal health coverage, promote alignment, collaboration and coordination in the health sector, promote global health security, and strengthen in-country health adviser capacity.  

Working with a team of experienced health advisers across Africa and Asia and drawing on technical assistance funded by the GFA programme, the GFA health adviser for Zimbabwe will:

• Support Zimbabwe to design and implement effective Global fund three disease programmes in ways that also strengthen health systems and contribute to delivering Universal Health Coverage, leaving no-one behind, as well as contributing to improved global health security.
• Increase understanding on the depth and breadth of Technical assistance to the health sector linked to the work of the GHIs. e.g. through WHO and UNICEF linked to Gavi. And, support Zimbabwe to have a more coherent, strategic approach to health sector technical assistance.
• Work to ensure that our multilateral and bilateral investments at country level operate in a complementary manner, within the national/sub-national health system, to maximise their combined impact and support UK priorities.
• Support countries to strengthen aid effectiveness in the health sector in country in order to deliver better and more sustainable health outcomes.
• Promote coordination, collaboration and partnerships with Global health initiatives, and synergies with UK bilateral programmes. Supporting the British Embassy to promote and maximise the impact from Global health investments to strengthen UK profile in Zimbabwe.

Roles and responsibilities:

Specific deliverables will be agreed during the induction/inception phase with the GFA country adviser Team leader, and in conjunction with the Human development and inclusion team leader in Zimbabwe. However, the adviser will develop their role with following intent:

• Improve the quality of design and implementation of programmes funded by the Global Fund, and other key global health initiatives in line with their strategies, country needs, and UK priorities including health systems strengthening, integrated service delivery, prevention, and equity (including gender equity) .
• Work with the TA provider(s) selected under the GFA to support countries to strengthen the design and implementation and improve impact of programmes funded by the Global Fund including through engagement with Global Fund governance and accountability mechanisms in-country.
• Improve integration/institutionalisation of Global Fund programming into the wider health system, and supporting improved coordination and stronger alignment of Global Health Initiatives and other health system investments in country in support of broader UHC aims.
• Triangulate information on GHI performance and strengthen the evidence base to inform strategic discussion and decision-making fora at global levels. This includes helping inform the UK’s position for global governing bodies of GF, Gavi, GFF in addition to UNAIDS, the Pandemic fund, and WHO where required.
• Effective health diplomacy through engagement with Global Fund teams in Geneva, health development partners in country, and with colleagues in HQ.  Providing country level feedback back to influence UK policy positions and papers for strategy committees, boards and strategic dialogues between the UK and GF.
• Support prevention, detection and wider preparedness efforts, linking GHI investments to wider pandemic preparedness and response and health system strengthening efforts.
• Share knowledge and expertise with other health advisers in post and with missions without health advisers to strengthen UK engagement with the Global Fund across LMICs.
• Support broader FCDO health work, with focus on health security complementing rather than replacing core FCD Supporting broader FCDO health work, complementing rather than replacing core FCDO health adviser capacity in Post, and increasing UK visibility of and on our multilateral investments.

While the majority of the role is committed to the work of the GFA, a specific % time will be available to support broader health sector support at post. In Zimbabwe, this will likely involve leading a workstream to strengthen UK and Zimbabwe health partnership and using this (together with knowledge of global health initiatives including the Global Fund) to contribute towards the design of a new UK health portfolio in Zimbabwe. 

Ways of working

• Strong leadership skills – being visible, establishing a strong direction and persuasive future vision, managing and engaging with people in a straightforward, truthful, and candid way.
• Models inclusive and consultative behaviours to promote diversity of views and inclusion
• Communicates confidently and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Strong team player
• Excellent networking skills
• Flexibility to take on new priorities
• Demonstrated ability to write, excellent communications skills

• Minimum of 10 years experience in public health, health system development, preferably with experience in communicable diseases, health security, health systems and strategic management of public policy health programmes.
• A higher level degree in public health, health policy, epidemiology, medicine (with public health specialty)
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of the GHIs in Zimbabwe.
• A proven track record of building partnerships and effective relationships with a range of stakeholders
• High level of analytical skills using quantitative and qualitative data to prepare accessible reports for communication with policy makers, development partners and local health leaders at provincial levels.

For FCDO health adviser accreditation:

• Public Health – Ability to analyse and apply epidemiology and public health intelligence and use this to develop prioritised approaches to tackling communicable diseases in LMICs
• Health Architecture – Strong understanding of the global health context and the international health architecture, including multilateral agencies and GHIs, bilateral agencies, civil society, funders, academia, private sector, overseas development aid; effective stakeholder engagement on key global issues.
• Health systems development – analysis of health systems development, including health systems strengthening, leadership and governance, health financing, health information systems, health workforce, access to essential medicines, support to health system strengthening programmes, service delivery.
• Evidence, innovation and evaluation – analysis and application of evidence, innovation and evaluation.
• Understanding of the wider determinants of health

The successful candidate will have a demonstrable track record of delivering health outcomes at expert level through strong capability in the Health competencies. As an expert he/she will be recognised for deep specialist technical knowledge and/or skill which will be underpinned by extensive experience working on complex technical issues. More information is available in the Health Technical Competency Framework 

Language requirements

Language: English 

Level of language required: Fluent