[Hiring] West Africa Regional Technical Advisor I - Polio @FHI 360

Role Description

The West Africa Regional Technical Advisor I (TAI), Polio will provide strategic and technical leadership for the Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity with respect to polio eradication-related activities including:

• Surveillance
• Laboratory strengthening
• Data analysis

The Advisor ensures alignment of STRIDES polio activities with:

• Global guidance
• National policies
• Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) norms
• Donor regulations

S/He will provide technical oversight of in-country implementation, working closely with global, regional, and country teams to:

• Ensure fidelity to STRIDES’ technical approaches
• Troubleshoot implementation challenges
• Adapt interventions to evolving epidemiologic and operational contexts

The Regional TA, Polio will support capacity strengthening, mentoring, and technical assistance to:

• Country level teams
• Local partners
• Government counterparts

Key areas include:

• Polio surveillance
• Biosafety/biosecurity
• Laboratory operations
• Specimen management
• Data quality
• Outbreak preparedness and response

The Regional TA I, Polio will contribute to FHI 360’s technical thought leadership by:

• Developing tools, guidance, learning products, and public goods
• Enhancing the organization’s visibility and credibility in polio eradication and infectious disease surveillance

S/He will represent STRIDES’ polio equities with key donors and stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, strategic alignment, and strong positioning of STRIDES within the global polio architecture.

This position will be regionally based in West Africa and work remotely to support STRIDES West Africa Polio activities and other Francophone African countries.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Health, Life/Social Sciences, International Development, or Related Field
• Project Management (PM) Certification a plus
• Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience in designing and evaluating applicable programs/services
• At least five years of relevant experience in public health, especially in developing countries with a focus on disease eradication, surveillance, or infectious disease control
• Experience with polio eradication programs and management of large-scale public health initiatives involving Polio surveillance is required
• Fluency in French and English is required

Requirements

• Works on problems of complex scope that require evaluation of variable factors
• Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions, with little supervision
• Networks with key internal and external personnel
• Provides input to senior technical leadership on national guidelines and normative policies for subject matter areas of expertise
• May interpret findings and make recommendations for improvements
• Performs other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package
• Professional development opportunities
• Policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance