Bio-Risk Management Technical Advisor

Overview

Nakupuna Companies seeks a Bio-Risk Management Technical Advisor. This position will provide expert technical support and engagement, as well as program and policy design to countries in MOU implementation in the areas of global health security (GHS) related to bio-safety, bio-security, and bio-risk management. The incumbent will advise GHSD, Departmental, interagency on bio-risk management aspects of GHS-related work and advise Posts, foreign governments, and local, faith-based, private sectors, and governmental implementers on their bio-risk management in consultation with other relevant Departmental and interagency partners. They will provide input on bio-risk management aspects during the design, selection, and implementation of new program instruments, performance metrics, and milestone frameworks. The advisor will review GHS project bio-safety and bio-security plans for alignment with global standards, as well as with U.S. national security, non-proliferation, and other U.S.  policies and priorities and facilitate necessary Departmental and interagency reviews. This position will advise countries on U.S. and ISO standards and best practices and serve as a bio-risk expert for Global Health Security Directorate (GHSD) programming and related initiatives, as well as serve as or advise GHSD’s representative on interagency and Departmental bio-risk management-related processes. 

Responsibilities

The following reflects management's definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign additional duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to mission requirements and reasonable accommodation.

• Advise headquarters and Embassy staff on the development and implementation of global health security programming with a focus on ensuring implementation of best practices related to bio-risk management,
• Provide the full range of support for program management, including protocol and workplan review, design frameworks and policy guidance documents related to bio-risk management.
• Design and support programs that align with and advance U.S. priorities. Support programs that support progress towards U.S. bio-risk management standards with a focus on implementing ISO and adapting U.S. best practices for bio-risk management to national preferences and promoting country-level bio-risk management self-sufficiency in line with U.S. and ISO standards as part of the foreign assistance transformation. 
• Experience working with key stakeholders including those such as foreign governments, local partners, faith-based communities, and the private sector to adapt U.S. best practices, with a focus on biosafety and biosecurity, into effective programs that use local partners and are implemented in low resource settings.
• Contribute to the design, selection, analysis, administration, and monitoring and evaluation of new program instruments, performance metrics, and milestone-based approaches.
• Develop and disseminate technical guidance, tools, and training materials related to bio-risk management aspects of GHS work and safe and secure progress towards 7-1-7 outbreak detection, reporting, and response for GHSD staff, Posts, implementers, and foreign governments.
• Monitor and report on program progress against established metrics and milestones, identifying gaps and recommending corrective action, including relevant data visualization, to inform decision making.
• Prepare reports on routine programmatic work and, as appropriate briefings and recommendations for senior leadership
• Review and assess GHS project biosafety and biosecurity plans for policy and best practice alignment
• Serve as a bio-risk expert for GHSD programming and provide technical input to related Department initiatives
• Facilitate necessary Departmental and interagency reviews of GHS-related programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills/Qualifications:

• Advanced project management expertise in overseeing multisectoral (human and zoonotic) programs, with a focus on biosafety and biosecurity.
• Experience with foreign policy, development, and technical aspects related to bio-risk management, U.S. and ISO biosafety and biosecurity standards,
• Experience with international programming related to surveillance, public health innovation, multisectoral laboratory systems, specimen and data sharing, bio surveillance, research security, and/or data security. 
• Strong analytical stills and judgement to advise on bio-risk management to ensure all GHS-related awards are implemented in a safe and secure manner, taking into account the intertwined public health, technical, legal, non-proliferation, economic security, and national security aspects and needs.
• Experience working with and providing technical-guidance and capacity building support to critical stakeholders, including those such as foreign governments, local partners, faith-based communities, and the private sector to adapt U.S. best practices into effective, safe, and secure programs. 
• Experience in global health security-related bio-risk management program design and implementation and related U.S. policies and needs. 
• Familiarity with evaluating and implementing programs to improve bio-risk management across the full range of GHS-related supported work to U.S. and ISO biosafety and biosecurity standards.
• Monitor and report on program progress against established metrics and milestones, identifying gaps and recommending corrective action, including relevant data visualization, to inform decision making related to bio-risk. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to operate effectively, adapt to uncertainty, and manage multiple priorities and projects with competing deadlines in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Microbiology, Biosafety/Biosecurity, or a related field
• Minimum 8 years of experience in global health security and bio-risk program implementation, design, and management and with interagency U.S. national security and non-proliferation reviews to support national efforts to improve bio-risk management to U.S. and ISO standards for biosafety/biosecurity in low-resource settings.

Location:

• Washington, DC

Clearance: TS/SCI clearance required

Physical Requirements: The ideal candidate must at a minimum be able to meet the following physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation: 

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers. 
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations. 
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to walk for extended periods throughout the work day including moving between buildings and covering long distances by foot.

The Nakupuna Companies use a market-based compensation strategy to ensure that our employees are compensated within applicable market ranges commensurate with multiple factors, including but not limited to the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, and position location. The projected compensation range for this $140,500 – $165,500. The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Nakupuna Companies' total compensation package for employees.