Associate Director for Programs – The U.S. Mission in Accra
Job Description
Duties
The incumbent serves as the Associate Director for Programs for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Global Health Protection based in Accra, Ghana. The Associate Director assists the CDC Country Director in providing overall scientific and technical direction and supervision to the DGHP Ghana office and is responsible for overseeing the management of technical program areas. The primary duties of the incumbent are to provide leadership for scientific and technical programmatic activities related to the implementation of CDC’s programs and to oversee the technical management of program activities. The incumbent develops strategies and programs aimed at achieving global health security goals for Ghana; supervises and conducts technical reviews of program proposals; and supervises and monitors program implementation and financial management activities of DGHP Ghana activity/program managers. Collaborates and communicates closely with host government Ministries of Health, national and international academic institutions, other governmental agencies participating in the national response, USG agencies, the Department of State’s Bureau of Global Health and Diplomacy, CDC Headquarters, bilateral and multilateral development partners, UN agencies, and funded implemented partners in matters relating to program development, support, and financial management. The position contains a broad mix of functions including high level management and planning in addition to scientific, technical, and administrative functions.
Program Management for Global Health Security Projects 30%
The incumbent assists the Country Director in developing and planning of overall programmatic goals and objectives. Provides assistance and guidance related to goals, objectives, plans, policies, and implementation of programs. Develops and reviews Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), and proposals that pertain to funding and implementation of program activities. Serves as Acting Director for technical and programmatic issues when required by the absence of the CDC Director. Supports Country Director and Deputy Director with specific information related to budget analysis for technical reviews, pipeline analyses, and carryover funds. Participates in decisions related to the commitment of CDC resources, including but not limited to NOFOs, gift funds, contracts, and targeted opportunities for central funding. Incumbent also participates in recommending the hiring of personnel and allocation of funds.
Technical guidance to activity managers/technical advisors. 30%
The incumbent supervises, provides mentoring, coordinates work assignments, and monitors performance of the CDC technical advisors in the DGHP Ghana office and provides work guidance to at least two public health specialists. The incumbent provides senior technical leadership and support to technical staff to ensure planned activities are carried out in an impactful and timely manner. Monitors program progress and performance of the DGHP Ghana technical portfolio and integration of objectives and priorities across CDC Divisions (HIV/Tuberculosis, Malaria, and Influenza and Other Respiratory Diseases) in Ghana using a “One CDC” approach. Guides activity managers in completion of cost analyses, budgetary reviews, and financial reviews in support of funding recommendations and strategies.
Interagency and Multisectoral Coordination 20%
As a national subject matter expert on global health security, encompassing but not limited to the technical domains of surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, laboratory sciences, and workforce development, job holder represents the DGHP Ghana at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings at the highest levels, including meetings with host government officials, bilateral and multilateral health and development agencies, other stakeholders, and USG agencies.
Research and Scientific Agenda 20%
The incumbent oversees and manages DGHP Ghana’s research and scientific agenda, facilitating evidence-based programming, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Ensures the enhancement of the scientific quality of protocols, reports, and manuscripts by the review of documents for targeted evaluations of program performance and outcomes. Provides expert advice and consultation and matters relating to global health security, surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, laboratory, and workforce development
Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a:
- Public Trust Security Clearance.
All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (12 weeks) upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
Education Requirements:
Completion of Doctoral level degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology, allied health, or bio-behavioral sciences is required.Evaluations:
You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.Qualifications:
Experience:
Seven years mid- to senior-level public health experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating public health development and capacity building programs that involve coordination at a national level, and with an international agency or implementing partner is required. This must include at least two years of experience providing guidance and oversight to multiple staff.
Language:
Level 4 – Fluent; speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate and Level 3 proficiency is required in at least one local language (e.g., Twi, GA) Good working knowledge; speaking, reading & writing) is required.
Job Knowledge:
Detailed Knowledge of the theories, principles and concepts of epidemiology, infectious diseases, and global health security that enables employee to serve as national or international expert in the field is required. Knowledge of the design, development and implementation of complex global health programs in sub-Saharan Africa is required. Must have a highly detailed and broad knowledge of the Ghana and regional public health operational environment, including a detailed knowledge of the structure and operations of the MOH, Ghana Health Service, and other relevant host government ministries and offices, Global Fund, the environment for health care delivery at the national, regional, district and community level. Position must have detailed knowledge of the structure and function of local and international NGOs supporting global health security programs, as well as understanding of the work and current projects of other collaborating and donor agencies supporting global health security efforts.
Skills And Abilities:
Outstanding ability to communicate medical, scientific and epidemiological principles in infectious diseases is required. Advanced understanding and experience with implementation of emergency preparedness and response principles and practices. Ability to provide strong and sensitive leadership and guidance in operational research is required. Exceptional diplomacy and skill in working with MOH personnel, health care/laboratory professionals, universities, and collaborating partners to establish and conduct global health security programs is required. Capability of providing public health advice and consultation as a national and internationally recognized expert. The ability to be organized and accountable for management of a diverse portfolio and the performance of individual implementing partner organization as well as understanding public health development programs in a bilateral and multilateral assistance context is required. Good numerical skills required for compiling and analyzing data and monitoring the funds allocated and expended within cooperative agreements and contracts.
Benefits and Other Info
Benefits:Agency Benefits:
The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees.
For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C.Other Information:
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:
A hiring preference is extended to eligible and qualified applicants in the order listed below. It is essential you accurately describe your status in your application, failure to do so may result in a determination that you are not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER
- Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
- AEFM / USEFM
- Foreign Service (FS) on Leave without Pay (LWOP) and Civil Service (CS) with reemployment rights **
* IMPORTANT: US citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) 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”) preferably Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability, 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 FS employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
For complete definitions of AEFM, USEFM, EFM, Member of Household, etc., please visit the 3 FAM 7210 Definitions.
ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The following apply to EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs only:
- Current employees who used a hiring preference to gain employment who are within their first 90 calendar days of employment are not eligible. This does not apply when the hiring mechanism is TEMP or the work schedule is intermittent or irregular.
- Candidates with a hiring preference who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing.
The following apply to Locally Employed (LE) staff only:
- Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible.
- Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory, or an MBC score of less than 100 points on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible.
How to Apply
How to Apply:
Click the “Apply to This Vacancy” button at the top of the page to begin your application. For an instructional video on how to apply click here.
Please address all relevant experience, education, language skills (including English), and job related skills or requirements in your application.
You may edit your application any time before the vacancy closing date. If you fail to submit a complete application by the vacancy closing date of this vacancy, then your application may be disqualified for this position.
For a copy of the complete position description, please contact the HR Office.
To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the HR Office.
Required Documents:
Please upload all applicable documents to your application. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.
All Applicants:
- Residency Permit (if applicable)
- Work Permit (if applicable)
- University Studies Doctorate certificate
In addition, Eligible Family Member (EFM) Applicants must submit:
- Copy of Sponsor’s Travel Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
- Passport copy
- DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
- SF-50 (if applicable)
Next Steps:
The HR Office will contact successful applicants. For more information on applying for jobs or employment with us, please visit the U.S. Mission website Current Job Openings
Thank you for your application and your interest in working with us.