Rapid Response Advisor

ABOUT FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing - creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges.

FHI 360 has worked in Cameroon many years. FHI 360 has taken a comprehensive approach to help transform the country’s health and development landscape. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of Cameroon, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Cameroon delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services—including HIV and nutrition, tuberculosis, global health security, and economic participation.

The U.S. government’s (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USG’s GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust in a country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services.

Position Summary

The Rapid Response Advisor oversees implementation of STRIDES emergency preparedness and response activities, directing other professional staff members and rapid response teams as needs are identified. S/he engages with STRIDES technical staff to ensure that the project’s emergency preparedness and response activities are aligned with approved workplans and that technical expertise informs project implementation. The Rapid Response Advisor prepares deliverable reports to the donor highlighting achievements across STRIDES Objective 4/emergency preparedness and response activities, including the drafting of publications and external communications. S/he leads the development / revision of best practice documents, monitors budgets, and may be required to coordinate and work with a diverse group of in-country organizations, including USG and host country government counterparts to complete work.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Oversees day-to-day implementation of emergency activities with complex scope that require evaluation of variable and rapidly evolving situations in the local region.

• Demonstrates strong judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to respond to emerging infectious disease threats and confirmed outbreaks with little supervision.

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• Networks with key internal and external STRIDES personnel; liaises with STRIDES Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to measure the Activity’s emerging response interventions against project-wide and emergency response-specific indicators.

• Provides input to STRIDES Country Project Director on national guidelines and normative policies for emergency and outbreak response; coordinates with FHI 360’s communication team to highlight the Activity’s success stories and best practices specific to emergency response interventions.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Project Design Implementation:

• Leads the creation of the emergency/outbreak response of STRIDES workplans within given resource and financial constraints.

• Coordinates with STRIDES technical and programmatic staff to ensure that emergency/outbreak response activities are performed as per award requirements and consistent with FHI 360 policy, and that they contribute to meeting the 7-1-7 target.

• Defines and develops solutions for major challenges identified under STRIDES.

• Contributes to planning and making recommendations for STRIDES implementation.

• Influences design and scope of STRIDES initiatives and programs in the emergency/outbreak response technical focus area.

• Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components.

• Ensures technical implementation is consistent with best practices in emergency response and meets donor contractual obligations including providing oversight and direction to other STRIDES team members.

• Coordinates with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field throughout implementation of emergency response activities in-country and/or regionally.

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

• Develop strategies to grow FHI 360’s capabilities in emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.

• Participate in donor meetings and provide technical input and leadership.

• Represents STRIDES and FHI 360 to external entities at professional meetings and conferences.

• Maintains collaborative relationships with STRIDES donor, relevant USG agencies, and bilateral and other key partners and is consistently viewed as a knowledgeable resource in emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.

• Continually maintains a dialogue and technical exchange with in-country USG/interagency, host government counterparts and technical staff members from key partners throughout emergency/outbreak response.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities through rapid development of emergency response workplans, plan for the successful implementation of activities, and monitor performance over the life of the response.

• In-depth functional knowledge of global health security (GHS) best practices, specifically related to emergency and outbreak response within the USG context, and maintain a detailed understanding of related interventions within FHI 360.

• General understanding of the external environment and how it affects emergency/outbreak preparedness and response across STRIDES, including political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences.

• Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to exchange information, present recommendations and collaborate with STRIDES colleagues and peers and external partners.

• Ability to influence others of the benefits/importance of an idea of plan of action and to gain their support or commitment.

• Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.

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• Excellent and demonstrated leadership skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication and analytical skills in French and English.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Is sought out to provide advice or solutions in emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.

• Is informed about current developments in GHS and emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.

• Works under broad direction with considerable latitude for independent action.

• Specific actions are guided primarily by professional standards and expected STRIDES outcomes.

• Decisions and actions have an impact on STRIDES operations; impact on the broader organization is generally indirect.

• Problems encountered are complex and may involve unprecedented circumstances; resolution requires investigation, analysis, and review of professional/organizational standards.

• Faulty decisions or recommendations will normally result in critical delays and modifications to projects or operations, cause substantial expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds; and jeopardize future business activity.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Work is reviewed in terms of meeting the STRIDES objectives on time and within budget.

• Accomplishes results through STRIDES senior management and in-country teams.

• May assist in team management as necessary.

• Typically reports to the Country Project Director.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Knowledge/Information Services, Communications, Health, Behavioral, Life/Social Sciences, International Development, Human Development or Related Field.

• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Experience:

• Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience in designing and evaluating applicable programs/services—may manage activities of lower-level staff, however, main function is individual contributor.

• Documented leadership implementing GHS-focused projects with an emphasis on emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.

• Relevant publications, presentations, reports, and manual/tool development.

• Proficient experience in current program developments in emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.

• Years of work experience that demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of the GHS space and emergency/outbreak preparedness and response best practices.

• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization, U.S. government agency, or private organization.

• Prior experience implementing USG-funded contracts strongly preferred.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.

• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

• Ability to lift/move up to 2.5kg.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• 10%-25%

The expected hiring salary range for this role is XAF 20,000,000 - 28,000,000 for annual gross salary for national local hire. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay, and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines.

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 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.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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