Senior TB Advisor

LEAP Program Description

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) – a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC and Dexis Consulting Group – is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global), a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. As of July 1, 2025, LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries.

The intervention of this project is to hire and embed technical expert advisors and subject matter experts within government entities. By directly embedding the technical expertise within the national programs, LEAP provides long-term, sustainable lifesaving support to empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios and improve coordination between the U.S. Government and the host country.

About the Position

The Senior TB Advisor will support the U.S. Department of State in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives and the American First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS).  The primary focus of the Adviser will be to provide technical support with a particular emphasis on strengthening TB program in-country coordination and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Support NTP in effective delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) and service delivery through utilization of domestic and donors’ (e.g. the GF) resources.
• Support U.S. DoS with the launch of America First Global Health multi-year TB interventions and close monitoring of its implementation.
• Assist U.S. DoS with quarterly AFGHS TB Metrics reporting, working with NTP and local NGO (DSN) M&E and IT specialists to collect data/develop reports/submit reports to DoS.
• Assist the NTP and MOH with effective delivery of LHA TB services, including but not limited to active case finding, screening, diagnostics, treatment and prevention.
• Assist the NTP with the planning and implementation of the semi-annual community based TB screening, testing and treatment (CAST TB) and the use of data from CAST to inform strategies for eliminating TB in Kyrgyzstan
• Liaison/Coordination with the GFATM and local PIU; Support DoS with coordinating TB activities of NTP, MOH and Global Fund, overall monitoring of grant implementation by GFATM (TB), procurement, etc to ensure effective grant implementation. Please, keep NTP and DoS informed on the developments around GFATM grant implementation; attend online CCM meetings and provide briefs/notes; ensure attendance in discussions of sustainability of GFATM TB component: attend meetings/calls and report; provide tech expertise; ensure coordination of DoS and GF approaches.
• Provide technical support to NTP/MoH and the GF through engaging into country dialogue on revising of existing and sustaining the upgraded state social procurement mechanism and its implementation by MoH/NTP.
• Provide technical support with implementation of programmatic and clinical interventions at national and sub-national levels.
• Assist in monitoring the progress of TB program implementation and provide recommendations for improvements of service delivery.
• Review and analyze performance reports submitted to the GF and other partners.
• Help organize regular discussions among the GF, NTP, and partners to ensure alignment of technical approaches in the respective TB portfolios.

• Support NTP in the adoption and rapid uptake of best policies and practices in TB and DR-TB management.
• Support MOH and NTP in development, adoption and rapid uptake of new policies and guidelines based on latest scientific evidence.
• Support NTP in scaling up of new diagnostic and laboratory techniques such as CXR/CAD, whole and targeted genotyping.
• Support NTP with expansion of DST coverage in the country and ongoing investigations of resistance to new and repurposed drugs, including bedaquiline.
• Assist NTP in expanding the programmatic use of new drugs and regimens.
• Through collaboration with NTP and partners, identify programmatic gaps which may require additional technical support.
• Support NTP’s Strategic Planning department in securing new partnerships and collaborative activities to promote enhanced research capacity and programmatic sustainability.
• Develop, as lead author, or co-author of manuscripts and peer-reviewed publications.
• Support NTP in aligning PBMEF framework in key operational setting such as TB contact investigation (TBCI) and active case finding (ACF)
• Promote operationalization of WHO recommended strategies on TBCI, ACF and TB preventive treatment (TPT)

REPORTING

The TB Advisor will provide support to the NTP Manager and will work in close collaboration with U.S. DoS Health Foreign Assistance Unit. The Advisor will submit a monthly summary of activities to U.S. DoS TB focal point by the 5th day of the following month and will meet with the U.S. DoS Health Foreign Assistance team on a quarterly basis to review progress and priorities. Additionally, the Advisor will submit  weekly updates of the TB program  to the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek/ U.S. DoS team.

Qualifications

• Medical Degree
• Masters of Public Health, Advanced Sciences in Community Health (preferred), Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies
• Over 10 years of experience in infectious diseases control, particularly TB and HIV but also MCH, Nutrition, and WASH.
• Over 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and managing TB and/or public health programs in developing countries, with a preference given to candidates with experience in Central Asia.
• Demonstrated experience managing successful teams of experienced professionals.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, strategic planning, policy experience and problem-solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment are required.
• Experience with managing USG-funded public health programs and understanding USG rules and regulations preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of local and USG personnel and partners and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters is a must.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.
• Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both orally and in writing -- in English is essential.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations. Verbal communication skills are also used to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members. Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, Access, and other relevant software) are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements.