United States of America: Malaria Supply Chain Data Management Intern

Global Health Fellows Program II

Malaria Supply Chain Data Management Intern

Malaria Division, Office of Infectious Diseases, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Anticipated timeframe: February 2018 – May 2018: Compensated 3 month internship

Location: Washington, DC/Arlington, VA

INT-P7-009

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual working planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.

BACKGROUND:

The Malaria Division under the Office Infectious Disease in the Bureau for Global Health leads the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). With the passage of the 2008 Lantos-Hyde Leadership for HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act, PMI was authorized up to $5 billion and extended until 2014. The goal of PMI is to work with partners to halve the burden of malaria (morbidity and mortality) in 70 percent of the at-risk populations of sub-Saharan Africa—or approximately 450 million people. After five years of intervention, all-cause child mortality has been reduced by 16% to 50% in the original 15 PMI countries. In February 2015, PMI launched a new six-year strategy that focuses on five strategic areas: 1) Achieving and sustaining scale of proven interventions; 2) Adapting to changing epidemiology and new tools; 3) Improving countries’ capacity to collect and use information; 4) Mitigating risks against the current malaria control gains; and 5) Building capacity and health systems towards full country ownership. With the addition of five new focus countries in 2017, PMI has programs in 24 countries in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria remains a significant public health problem, as well as Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand supporting regional efforts in the Greater Mekong Region in Asia. While launching these five new country programs, the US Government remains committed to partnering with existing PMI focus countries to accelerate progress in malaria control and continue forward momentum towards elimination. Please visit http://www.pmi.gov/about to learn more about PMI.

INTRODUCTION:

The Malaria Supply Chain Data Management Intern (Intern) will primarily assist the Malaria Supply Chain Team to provide support, particularly in the area of data management and analysis, for a large, complex, multi-country supply chain program (Global Health Supply Chain Program) that procures non-IRS malaria commodities (Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and other related pharmaceuticals) as well as provides technical support for strengthening supply chain systems. The Intern will also assist the Malaria Supply Chain Team by contributing to team operations such as supporting USAID staff in carrying out technical reviews of Malaria Operational Plans (MOPs) and reviewing/analyzing past supply chain data. S/he will work closely with the Malaria Technical Advisor as his/her onsite manager.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Gaining knowledge of malaria prevention and control programming needs and approaches to improve coverage of malaria control interventions that, in turn, contribute to reducing all-cause mortality rates in children less than five years of age.
• Gaining a greater understanding of technical issues and best practices related to PMI programs, particularly in the area of malaria supply chain, including the overall process of the MOPs.
• Deepening skills in collaboration and coordination within a complex organizational and implementation structure.
• Participating in professional development activities provided through GHFP-II and USAID (e.g. via technical presentations, meetings, etc.) as agreed upon with on site-manager (5%)

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Providing support to the PMI Supply Chain Team on tasks such as responding to malaria supply chain questions with counsel from senior staff, participating in meetings and organizing/analyzing commodity data.
  
• Supporting the team in the development and review of project related documents (e.g. annual country work plans and project deliverables).
  
• Supporting USAID colleagues in the development and finalization of the FY19 country-specific MOPs, including consolidation of comments, editing drafts, taking minutes at technical meetings, etc.
  
• Learning about the country-specific malaria control programs and participating in country team calls.
  
• Along with onsite manager, attending meetings with implementing partners, PMI technical team meetings, supply chain technical working group(s) discussions, and program-related events to better understand project management and technical concepts.
  
• Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational and programming need and/or the Intern’s own interests.
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently enrolled in master’s or other post-bachelor’s degree candidate in public health, international health, international development, social sciences, or a related field; or, completion of such within the past 12 months.
  
• Experience working on malaria and/or other health programs in developing countries, ideally in Africa, preferable.
  
• Experience and demonstrated interest in data management and analytics, particularly in international health programs preferable.
  
• Strong skills utilizing excel for data management and analysis.
  
• Demonstrated interest in international development and global health issues.
  
• Ability to serve as a motivated self-starter with excellent oral and written communication skills.
  
• French or Portuguese language skills a plus.
  
• US citizenship or US permanent residency required.
  

COMPENSATION:

$1,826 bi-weekly (exempt, salaried position).

Detailed information, including an online application and instructions, is available on our website at www.ghfp.net. All applications must be submitted by November 6, 2017 at 5:00 pm eastern time.

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