The Prevent Epidemics program works closely with Ministries of Health (MOH) and national public health institutes (NPHIs) in Africa to strengthen epidemic preparedness capacity, accelerate disease detection and response, and use data effectively to inform action. In addition to direct partnership with governments, we also work with implementing partners including the CDC, World Health Organization, World Bank, and Global Health Advocacy Incubator to implement programs, prototype new innovations, and ensure sustainability through increased national ownership, including domestic budget allocations.

Our primary health care engagement was initiated as a program focused on infection prevention and control (IPC) at primary healthcare centers in multiple African countries. The COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks have highlighted the important need to scale integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) strategies at primary health care level as frontline health workers often detect outbreaks early. The EPRHC program will extend our existing approaches for facility improvement in IPC as well as national IPC strengthening with strategies to improve outbreak detection and notification and increase the role and engagement of primary health care in Health Security Strengthening initiatives. This will involve coordination between health services delivery and communicable disease agencies in country, the scaling of IDSR approaches to primary health centers (including guidance, training, and tools), strengthening bidirectional communication with district health offices and public health officials, and addressing commodity, information, and logistics needs required to enable implementation as part of National Health Security strengthening initiatives.

In addition to the central work of the Prevent Epidemics team, RTSL is deepening our engagement in Primary Health Care with our Cardiovascular Health and Policy and Advocacy units. This role will represent the prevent epidemics team internally and externally to support the strategic plan for RTSL in relation to a boarder PHC agenda including areas such as supply chain, task shifting, financing models and workforce.

The role will oversee the strategic direction, program coordination, partner management, and budget management for implementation in multiple African countries, and will also oversee the coordination of communities of practice among implementing partners, collaborate and coordinate with regional entities, including WHO Africa Regional Office, Africa CDC, and the Infection Control Africa Network (ICAN).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Director of ERPHC will work under the direction of the Senior Vice President of the Prevent Epidemics team and will collaborate with RTSL technical staff and policy and advocacy staff. Roles and responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

=> Strategic planning and technical oversight of the ERPHC team including program design, partner management, guidance and tool development, and communities of practice => Grant negotiation and contract management with implementing partners

=> Technical assistance to government and partner staff for PHC strengthening, implementation of IPC practices, and surveillance and reporting strengthening

=> Collaboration with PE team members on surveillance strengthening approaches and domestic budget allocations

=> Collaboration with policy and advocacy team members on global advocacy for PHC investments to increase political will for domestic allocations and leveraging multilateral investments for PHC, changes in financing models and workforce development

=>Collaboration with the Cardiovascular Health team on strengthening PHC models of care

=> Oversight of program monitoring and evaluation and the use of data for both program management and global advocacy efforts => Development of strategy for future phases, using a maturity model approach

=> External representation of Resolve to Save Lives in high level partner fora including partner and donor engagement as well as technical fora

=> Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g. public health, nursing, medicine or public policy, economics, or development studies)

=> Minimum of 15 years’ relevant work experience

=> Minimum of 5 years' working in African countries on primary health care and surveillance strategies => Experience with management of a team, strategic planning and project design

=> Experience with engagement, negotiation, and consensus-building with government decision-makers in at least one African country

=> Experience with grantmaking, contract management, and budget management of complex projects => Experience in donor engagement and management => Coaching and mentoring experience for capacity strengthening of partners and key government personnel

=> Fluency in English is required, French language is desired but not required

=> Ability to travel up to 30%

Duration: 24 months, with the possibility for renewal

Setting: Fully remote with in-country /global travel; qualified candidates can be based in the United States or in another country that is within 8 hours ahead of the US East Coast time zone.

We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences, whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We encourage applications from and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Resolve to Save Lives complies with all applicable EEO laws.

In addition to a competitive salary, Resolve to Save Lives offers excellent benefits. In the US, this includes health, dental, vision and life insurances, short-term and long-term disability coverage, the support of an Employee Assistance Program, a 403(b)retirement plan, a professional development fund, generous vacation, personal health leave, parental/adoption leave, and much more.

Resolve to Save Lives requires all employees regardless of location or job function to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Resolve to Save Lives complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy.