Solutions Advisor: Global Health Security | Institutional Support Contractor (Consultancy)

Job Information

Date Opened

01/08/2025

Number of Positions

1

Project/Activity

USAID/South Africa TSS

Industry

USAID

Job Type

Short Term Technical (consultant)

City

Pretoria

State/Province

Gauteng

Country

South Africa

Zip/Postal Code

0002

HIghest Level of Education

Masters degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, including but not limited to medicine, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, public health, social science, or infectious disease.

Work Experience

10-15 years

Job Description Panagora Group is a social enterprise dedicated to providing high-quality, high-impact international health, development, and learning consulting. We are a dynamic woman- and employee-owned small business partner focused on market-based and integrated local solutions that strengthen country capacity and independence; and on learning, communications, and technology solutions to accelerate and heighten impact. As a small business, we are able to implement novel and innovative approaches using highly participatory approaches to mobilize community, civil society, and government energy in defining and owning solutions, and to promote inclusive development that benefits all groups. Position Summary Background on Technical Support Services (TSS) Activity

The Technical Support Services (TSS) Activity helps USAID/Southern Africas Regional Health Office (RHO) address technical priorities, develop creative, innovative solutions to strategically allocate resources, strengthen connections with partners, and replicate best practices and effective program models. Through the TSS contract, Panagora Group augments capacity by providing technical, operational, and administrative support to USAIDs health portfolio. TSS deploys advisors in response to USAID requests for priority work with government stakeholders, implementing partners, and/or other entities. TSS supports Health Office staff and teams to integrate creative solutions into routine work. TSS also provides international and local expertise for surge support, as needed, for USAID Program Cycle requirements, planning, development, outreach, communications, and Health Office human resource functions.

General Summary or Background

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) plays a pivotal role in the U.S. governments response to global health challenges, including HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), Emerging Epidemics, and Global Health Security (GHS). USAIDs GHS portfolio is designed to strengthen countries multisectoral capacities to reduce the risk and impact of emerging and reemerging disease threats of significant public health concern. The portfolio emphasizes building country capacities and strengthening systems in critical health security technical areas such as: zoonotic disease prevention and control, national laboratory systems, infectious disease surveillance, health workforce development, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial resistance.

USAIDs GHS program embraces a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnected roles of human, animal, and environmental health in preventing and managing emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) with epidemic and pandemic potential. Activities are implemented at national, subnational, and community levels, including efforts to mitigate zoonotic disease spillover risks at their source, particularly within livestock, agriculture, and environmental sectors. GHS initiatives also leverage USAIDs broader programming in health systems strengthening, food security, economic growth, and disaster assistance. This comprehensive approach ensures that activities reduce zoonotic disease risks and support agricultural development, safe food supplies, and economic growth.

USAID/Southern Africa (SA) manages one of the Agencys largest missions, with the Bilateral Health Office (BHO) serving as its largest technical office. BHO is responsible for implementing a robust bilateral PEPFAR portfolio, a comprehensive TB program, and the largest COVID-19 and Global Vax support program globally. In 2024, BHO designed and launched a new GHS program aligned with the International Health Regulations (IHR), further advancing the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). The GHSA, a global initiative launched in 2014, aims to create a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats and to elevate global health security as a priority for national leaders. USAIDs GHS program supports countries in achieving GHSA objectives and meeting requirements under the WHOs IHR and related animal health regulations, as measured by WHOs Joint External Evaluation (JEE).

Basic Function of the Role

The Global Health Security Advisor will lead USAIDs GHS team in South Africa, providing strategic leadership, technical oversight, and program management to strengthen the countrys prevention, detection, and response capacities for emerging infectious diseases. The advisor will focus on key technical areas, including zoonosis, antimicrobial resistance, biosafety and biosecurity, national laboratory systems, infectious disease surveillance, health workforce development, risk communication and community engagement, and infection prevention and control.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Health Office Director or their designee, the advisor will collaborate closely with the GHS team, USAID implementing partners, and interagency stakeholders. The advisor will cultivate and strengthen stakeholder relationships across South Africas animal, environmental, and agricultural sectors, ensuring effective implementation of GHS activities. Key partnerships include the Jhpiego-led Reaching Impact, Saturation, and Epidemic Control (RISE) activity and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) grant.

In addition to technical leadership, the advisor will supervise and mentor two (2) Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs), fostering a collaborative, collegial atmosphere that is focused on building team cohesion, professional development, and promoting leadership growth within the team. The advisor will also provide expert recommendations to address GHS challenges, ensure program alignment with GHSA and IHR objectives, and enhance USAIDs contributions to global health security through strong interpersonal and communication skills. This position requires extensive collaboration with South African counterparts, interagency partners, and regional stakeholders to achieve sustainable health security outcomes.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The TSS activity is looking for a consultant to serve as the GHS Advisor to collaborate with the USAID/Washington GHS team, regional colleagues, and local stakeholders to implement USAID activities, ensuring alignment with the Government of South Africas (GoSA) health security priorities. The Advisor will ensure effective U.S. Government (USG) interagency coordination, working closely with USAID colleagues and other USG partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), which also support GHS implementation. Additionally, the U.S. State Department plays a key role in facilitating in-country USG interagency collaboration. Operating as part of the U.S. Embassy Pretoria GHS Team within the Bilateral Health Office, the USAID GHS Senior Advisor will fulfill the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership in the design, oversight, and management of BHO activities related to Global Health Security (GHS), and other infectious diseases, ensuring alignment with USAID and USG priorities.

• Lead the development and implementation of the USAID/South Africa (SA) GHS strategy, ensuring harmonization with other donor efforts, including the Pandemic Fund, WHO, FAO, and UNICEF.

• Provide expert technical and programmatic guidance to USAID/SA, the USG interagency, and the Government of South Africa (GoSA) on GHS priorities and health initiatives.

• Monitor emerging global, regional, and national health trends, analyzing reports and data to provide strategic recommendations to the Bilateral Health Office leadership, USG interagency teams, and USAID/Washington.

• Oversee the design of new GHS follow-on awards, ensuring programmatic adaptation to evolving health priorities.

• Represent USAID in interagency planning, execution, and implementation of the health portfolio, providing technical expertise on health and GHS issues.

• Cultivate relationships with GoSA counterparts, including the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders, to support the implementation of GHS and health initiatives.

• Participate in donor and government coordination meetings, providing expert technical advice and ensuring effective collaboration on GHS and broader health priorities.

• Serve on national GHS working groups and interagency collaborations to contribute to policy development and technical discussions.

• Conduct site visits to monitor program implementation, review activity progress, and ensure compliance with USAID objectives.

• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks for GHS activities, assessing programmatic effectiveness and providing data-driven recommendations.

• Provide research and programmatic advice to USAID and partners, including guidance on research design, project methodologies, and best practices in treatment, care, and support.

• Analyze, synthesize, and disseminate key research findings, best practices, and lessons learned to stakeholders, partners, and technical counterparts.

• Supervise and mentor up to two (2) Foreign Service National (FSN) staff members, fostering their professional development, technical expertise, and leadership growth.

• Provide mentoring and training to staff on infectious disease programming, management practices, and technical expertise to improve professionalism, leadership, and teamwork.

• Facilitate tailored coaching sessions and training workshops to strengthen staff capabilities in GHS program design, implementation, and monitoring.

• Develop and deliver presentations, speeches, and reference materials on GHS and related health issues to diverse audiences, including USAID leadership, donors, and interagency stakeholders.

• Draft inputs for annual operational plans, performance plans, and reports, ensuring alignment with USAID policies and priorities.

• Prepare high-quality reports and technical documents to support decision-making and strategic planning efforts.

Requirements

• The candidate must have a Masters degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, including but not limited to medicine, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, public health, social science, or infectious disease.

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in one health, animal health, public health, or epidemiology, with demonstrated expertise in program evaluation, monitoring, and interpreting programmatic data, expenditure analyses, and related data sources to assess implementation, evaluate performance, and inform program design. Specific experience in staff mentoring and management, project design, implementation, and performance monitoring is required.

• Prior experience working with a bilateral or multilateral donor in development programming is required.

• In-depth knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements, with prior experience ensuring compliance and alignment across complex programmatic portfolios.

• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated proficiency in synthesizing complex data into actionable insights, paired with excellent written and oral communication skills for clear and impactful stakeholder engagement.

• Advanced knowledge of pandemics, infectious diseases, and zoonotic diseases and significant experience in maintaining collaborative relationships with government counterparts, international organizations, and partner communities.

• Extensive experience working with the South African Government, USG health agencies, and USAID implementing partners, fostering alignment, collaboration, and shared success in advancing health initiatives.

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability and willingness to function collaboratively and productively as both a leader and a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team and must have the ability to work effectively in a team environment to achieve consensus on policies, activities, and administrative matters and to influence relationships positively.

• Proven ability to work well in complex institutional settings and develop relationships that facilitate collaboration among colleagues and genuine interest in assisting USAID staff with expedient program implementation.

• Experience facilitating FSN participation in high-level engagements to enhance their leadership presence and build local ownership of programs.

• Skilled in supervising teams, delegating responsibilities, and creating an inclusive environment that values innovation and continuous learning.

• Demonstrated ability to build trust-based relationships with senior-level executives and officials in government and development sectors, as well as across public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders.

• Exceptional networking, collaboration, and team-building skills to foster productive relationships with government counterparts, NGOs, multilateral agencies, and private-sector partners.

• High degree of discretion, tact, and diplomacy, particularly when engaging with politically sensitive issues or addressing stakeholder concerns.

• Proven ability to mediate conflicts, manage competing interests, and facilitate decisions on complex technical, programmatic, and strategic issues.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, enabling productive collaboration with senior and technical officials while effectively communicating program goals and challenges.

• Ability to organize team-building activities and workshops to enhance cohesion and collective performance.

• Strong capacity to multitask, managing and prioritizing competing demands in real-time while maintaining high-quality outcomes.

• Strong technical, analytical, and quantitative skills in scientific approaches and development policy analysis.

• Ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights to guide programmatic decisions and strategy adjustments.

• Proficiency in managing complex institutional settings, navigating multi-sectoral collaborations, and addressing stakeholder needs.

• Proven ability to provide expert guidance on public health challenges and implement strategic solutions to overcome obstacles.

• Familiarity with how to engage technology entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators to advance GHS initiatives.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and similar software platforms for data analysis, reporting, and program management.

• Capacity to design and execute MEL frameworks, assess program impact, and generate evidence-based recommendations for GHS activities.

• Excellent written and oral English language communication skills.

This position will require travel within South Africa.

The position will report to the USAID/Southern Africa Bilateral Health Office Deputy Health Office Director or their designee.

No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Please include a cover letter and resume. Only applicants who include the required application components will be considered. Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

• Note: Panagora does not offer visa sponsorship.

Panagora Group LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.