Senior Global Health Security Advisor

Who We Are

ZemiTek, LLC is a Woman-Owned, SBA-certified 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) based in the Washington, DC metro area. We have a strong record delivering innovative and high-quality solutions. Since 2007, ZemiTek has provided technical assistance, project management, information technology (IT), knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, training and learning development, and institutional support services.

Position 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 Global Health Security (GHS) Advisor will support the Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) in full alignment with U.S. Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. The primary focus of the advisor will be strategic coordination and technical support with a special emphasis on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats which impact public health. 

The Senior GHS Advisor will support INS and appropriate multi-sectoral Government Departments and Agencies—such as the Ministry of Health, Agriculture (ICA), and Environment (MADS)—for the effective adoption and implementation of life-saving interventions focusing on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats with public health potential, such as zoonotic diseases. The Senior GHS Advisor will identify programmatic bottlenecks and facilitate solutions through coordinated technical support across the GHS portfolio, including engagement with the multilateral and other international cooperation mechanisms where applicable. 

The Senior GHS Advisor will be based within INS and will receive directions from INS leadership, who will serve as the onsite Manager/Supervisor. The Advisor will provide strategic oversight of GHS portfolio implementation at INS and in targeted subnational regions (Córdoba, Nariño, La Guajira, and Antioquia) as agreed upon by the U.S. Government (USG) and the Government of Colombia (GOC). Familiarity with USAID/Department of State programming and award management experience are highly desirable. The Advisor will report to the U.S. Department of State on a weekly and monthly basis.

Work Location: Colombia 

Responsibilities

Strategic Coordination and Portfolio Management

• Assist the INS with effective delivery of LHA GHS activities, including but not limited to: 
• Disease and outbreak response, laboratory network strengthening, community surveillance and EWARS implementation, training frontline workers, biosafety and biosecurity, commodity procurement, and data systems. 

• Lead strategic coordination of the INS GHS portfolio, including articulation with international cooperation partners, ministries, and other key actors within the National Zoonotic Council (CNZ), National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) stakeholders, and the National System for Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies, as applicable.
• Oversee implementation of GHS activities at INS and in targeted subnational regions, ensuring alignment with USG and GOC priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Serve as the primary liaison between INS, USG partners, and multi-sectoral stakeholders to ensure coordinated approaches and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Facilitate regular coordination meetings among multi-sectoral stakeholders and partners to ensure alignment of technical approaches across the GHS portfolio.
• Provide project management oversight for all GHS activities funded by the USG, including work planning, risk management, budget monitoring, procurement coordination, and reporting.

• Assist and provide information to State to prepare U.S. Government workplans and reports.  

Health Regulations (IHR) Core Capacities Framework 

• Provide technical support for strengthening and monitoring IHR core capacities, including support for processes that relate to potential external evaluations and National Action Plans, simulation exercises, and joint assessments. 

• Assist INS in achieving relevant GHS-related targets, including the Joint External Evaluation (JEE), IHR States Parties Self-Assessment (SPAR), which includes reporting on the 7-1-7 target (7 days to detect, 1 day to report, 7 days to complete the initial response). 

• Support the development and implementation of technical guidelines and documents that strengthen GHS governance within INS and across the national health security architecture. 

Surveillance and Laboratory Systems Strengthening 

• Provide technical advisory support for the strengthening and modernization of epidemiological surveillance and laboratory systems, aligned with international standards and country priorities. 

• Support the implementation and expansion of best practices in GHS and outbreak response nationwide, including promotion of prioritized interventions in effective community-based active surveillance, strengthening systems capacity for detecting priority infectious diseases/threats, and data systems for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on threats. 

Multi-Sectoral Coordination and Emergency Response 

• Facilitate inter-sectoral technical working groups for biological risks, zoonotic diseases, and other priority areas, particularly the CNZ, ensuring effective coordination across human health, animal health, and environmental sectors. 

• Oversee capacity building exercises in risk analysis, preparedness, and response to public health emergencies, including support for rapid response teams and emergency management structures. 

• Assist INS and relevant multi-sectoral agencies in emergency outbreak responses as needed, including mobilizing resources, coordinating efforts, and providing technical support for containment and response activities. 

International Cooperation and Resource Mobilization 

• Provide technical support and accompaniment in the formulation and management of international cooperation projects and grant seeking opportunities. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) 

• Establish and maintain MEL frameworks to track progress against GHS indicators and objectives, ensuring data quality, timely reporting, and evidence-based decision-making. 

• Support INS in identification of performance gaps, potential barriers and bottlenecks, and facilitate consensus on targeted interventions to improve performance on key indicators monitored by the INS. 

Communications and Reporting 

• Participate in regular conference calls with multi-sectoral stakeholders, U.S. Embassy, and GHSD Washington to review progress, discuss activities, and address emerging issues. 

• Submit recurring reports to the U.S. Department of State, weekly and monthly. 

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy, International Development, or related field. 

• Minimum of  ten (10) years of progressive experience in global health security, infectious disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response, or related fields. 

• Demonstrated experience in senior project management roles, including oversight of complex, multi-stakeholder health programs with budgets exceeding $2 million. 

• Strong knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR), including experience with JEE, SPAR, NAPHS, or similar assessment and planning processes. 

• Proven experience in multi-sectoral coordination, particularly across human health, animal health, and environmental sectors (One Health approach). 

• Experience working with national public health institutes or ministries of health in low- and middle-income countries. 

• Excellent strategic planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with ability to identify bottlenecks and develop practical solutions. 

• Strong financial management and budget oversight experience, including donor compliance and reporting. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Spanish and English. 

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with government officials, international partners, and technical experts. 

Highly Desirable Qualifications 

• Experience with USG Grant or Assistance award management, including familiarity with USG compliance requirements. 

• Previous experience working in Colombia or the Latin America region. 

• Experience with major international health financing mechanisms. 

• Technical expertise in laboratory systems strengthening, surveillance systems, or emergency operations centers. 

• Experience in capacity building, training, and mentoring of national and subnational health workforce. 

• Knowledge of biosafety and biosecurity standards and implementation. 

• Experience managing or coordinating outbreak response activities. 

What We Believe

ZemiTek is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, ZemiTek will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].