Principal Investigator 132 views0 applications

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Principal Investigator

Job Summary / Responsibilities:

The Principal Investigator will provide leadership, ensure the quality of project deliverables and oversee all administrative, technical, financial and management aspects of an anticipated CDC Liberia: Strengthening Public Health Capacity.  The project will support GHSA through implementation of programs and activities that focus on preventing and improving health through partnerships to advance the prevention, detection, and response to mitigate threats from infectious diseases of international concern. The project supports programs and activities in the following areas:

• Strengthening biosurveillance systems networked to information sharing platforms to predict and identify health threats, including at Points of Entry;

• Expanding emergency response capacity through national and subnational EOCs;

• Enhancing national laboratory capabilities and applying biosafety and biosecurity best practices for accurate, and reliable detection of outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging zoonotic diseases;

• Increasing timely and transparent reporting of disease emergencies and threats to relevant national and international authorities; and

• Developing a functional biosurveillance workforce with trained disease detectives and laboratory scientists.

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*Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project and the selection of the final applicant is subject to donor approval.

Specific responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Oversee the management, finance, contracts and grants, security, legal, and human resources that support the project.

• Ensure that project management is compliant with FHI 360 and CDC policies and procedures.

• Assist in coordinating the implementation of multi-sectoral activities to strengthen and improve relationships cross relevant ministries, which includes high level coordination of key stakeholders, donor and other partners for decision making and knowledge exchange.

• Interact with other sectors and relevant departments to integrate and manage work plans, budgets, and multi-sector interventions.

• Lead the development and implementation of the project workplan and budget aligned with national action plans and local stakeholder improvement goals.

• Lead and implement evidence-based interventions in one or more multi-sector areas, as well as new technologies and practices.

• Provide technical direction and external engagement of the project.

• Lead the development and implementation of technical assistance, surveillance and diagnostic network and facility strengthening and quality improvement interventions in line with joint external evaluation (JEE) reports, country national action and strategic plans, and other assessment reports.

• Lead the implementation of surveillance and diagnostic network enhancement activities in Liberia which may include capacity building activities for core diagnostic components such as specimen referral mechanisms, quality management systems, supply chain, management information systems, diagnostic SOPs and tools, qualified workforce, expansion of point-of-care diagnostic service points, and biosafety and biosecurity.

• Support the one health multisectoral coordination initiatives of preventing AMR by strengthening laboratory-based AMR surveillance and data management.

• Support the establishment and/or strengthening of emergency operations centers at national and sub national levels.

• Lead the strengthening of biosafety and biosecurity through updates to national strategies and guidelines, locally adapted SOPs, mentorship, and training.

• Collaborate with country diagnostic leaders to establish and test systems to detect and respond to emerging infectious threats.

• Support strengthening of reporting systems for emerging infectious diseases and other public health threats.

• In close collaboration with project staff and diagnostic network leaders support the implementation and monitoring of network enhancement activities.

• Support interoperability initiatives to facilitate sharing of resources and knowledge between the human, animal, and environmental sector.

• Coordinate a matrix management approach to capacity building, support, and oversight of technical and functional staff and ensure their training on operational procedures to achieve the project strategic goals, enhancing detection and biosurveillance systems including at points of entry.

• Provide operational and technical support to the project team, skills, and resources to ensure the quality of the project deliverables.

• Develop and monitor workplans, reports and budget to achieve project and goals.

• Establish, serve and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders on project matters.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Health, Diagnostics, Surveillance or Public Health

• Requires a minimum of 8 years with project management experience

• Demonstrated a minimum of 10 years-experience in diagnostics/surveillance Epidemiology/AMR/One Health implementation.

• Experience managing USG grants including CDC grants.

• Demonstrated strategic planning, staff development and capacity building experience.

• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex projects that span multiple countries.

• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.

• Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts, and practices in project management, process development and execution.

• Excellent and demonstrated public relations, policy, representation, and diplomacy skills required.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Legally authorized to work in Liberia.

• Strong consultative and negotiation skills.

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to strategize, plan, and manage resources for successful completion of projects.

• Ability to motivate, influence and collaborate with others.

• Ability to build positive working relationships with the various stakeholders’ communities, government officials and other multilateral bodies and donor representatives.

• Experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO) and in a resource limited context.

• Exercise judgment to meet strategic business goals and develop objectives and plans that align with and ensure achievement of organizational goals.

• Ability to build teams, recognize, acquire and retain talents.

• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the ethical issues surrounding research and surveillance

Travel Requirements:

Minimum of 25 % local travel.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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