Job Summary:

The Technical Advisor II, Polio provides strategic and technical leadership for the STRengthening Infectious Disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity with respect to polio eradication-related surveillance, laboratory strengthening, and case detection. The Advisor ensures alignment of STRIDES polio activities with global guidance, national policies, Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) norms, and donor regulations, while delivering high-quality technical assistance across participating countries. They provide technical oversight of in-country implementation, working closely with regional and country teams to ensure fidelity to STRIDES’ technical approaches, troubleshoot implementation challenges, and adapt interventions to evolving epidemiologic and operational contexts. The Advisor plays a central role in supporting capacity-building, mentoring, and technical assistance for country teams, local partners, and government counterparts across polio surveillance, biosafety/biosecurity, laboratory operations, specimen management, data quality, and related domains, ensuring alignment with the United States Government’s global health security priorities.

The Advisor contributes to FHI 360’s technical thought leadership by developing tools, guidance, learning products, and global public goods that strengthen STRIDES’ polio portfolio and enhance the organization’s visibility and credibility in polio eradication and infectious disease surveillance. They represent STRIDES’ polio equities with key donors and stakeholders—including the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), UNICEF, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), national programs, and GPEI technical groups—ensuring effective communication, strategic alignment, and strong positioning of STRIDES within the global polio architecture. Working closely with the STRIDES Technical Director, Polio; technical leads; MEL Director; and Program Implementation Director, the Advisor cascades and operationalizes the Activity’s technical strategy and is accountable for the successful, timely, and compliant delivery of all polio-related technical components across regional and country-level work plans. The Advisor collaborates across FHI 360 and consortium partners to ensure coordinated implementation, responsive technical support, and rigorous reporting that meet or exceed contractual, programmatic, and quality standards.

Accountabilities:

Technical 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.

  Project Design Implementation:

  • Under the direction of the STRIDES Technical Director - Polio leads the creation of the technical portion of the STRIDES-Polio Activity plan within the given resource and financial constraints.
  • Supports day-to-day technical and operational activities related to the STRIDES-Polio country portfolio design and implementation.
  • Coordinates with technical and programmatic staff members to ensure that activities are performed as per contract requirements and consistent with FHI 360 policy.
  • Lead staff members’ assignments and supervises field staff to ensure technical quality.
  • Work with STRIDES Finance and Operations teams to prepare subcontracts and budgets.
  • Provides broad global technical leadership to multiple components of the STRIDES – Polio program.
  • Defines and develops solutions for major business or functional challenges.
  • Contributes to planning and making recommendations for STRIDES operations and implementation.
  • Influences design and scope of STRIDES polio initiatives and programs.
  • Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components within the STRIDES – Polio and Global Health Security programs of work.
  • Provides technical oversight and ensures high-quality implementation in line with global standards and best practices and to meet contractual obligations for moderately complex technical units of a functional domain, directing other professional staff members.
  • Coordinates with technical and programmatic staff members to ensure that activities are performed as per award requirements and consistent with policy.
  • Oversees staff members’ assignments.
  • Coordinates with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field for situations that are less routine and more unusual.

    Staff Leadership and Training:

    • May supervise team members, monitor performance, and lead professional development efforts.
    • Develops and implements training and competency systems.
    • Identifies strategies to address training gaps.

      Activity Reporting:

      • Reviews donor financial and technical reports specific to Polio.
      • Prepares and delivers presentations as requested to STRIDES donor on progress.
      • Develops Activity work plans and coordinates with sponsors and partners on activities.

        Quality Assurance:

        • Ensures technical deliverables and implementation are consistent with best practices contractual obligations for moderately complex technical units of a functional domain, directing other professional staff members.
        • Proactively identifies risks or challenges to technical deliverables and creates mitigation plan.
        • Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the effectiveness of projects and makes recommendations for enhancements.
        • Ensures the quality of implemented technical activities and systems at all levels.

          Applied Knowledge & Skills:

          • Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities.
          • In-depth functional knowledge around specialization and detailed knowledge of Polio Eradication efforts especially in the area of Polio surveillance, case investigation, laboratory services, reporting and related areas.
          • General understanding of the external environment and how it affects the industry in general and the organization, including political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences.
          • General understanding of the organization’s structure, policies and practices, and the impact on one’s own area.
          • Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem-solving skills.
          • Ability to exchange information, present recommendations and collaborate with colleagues and peers within the organization and possibly externally.
          • Ability to influence others of the benefits/importance of an idea or 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.

            Problem Solving & Impact:

            • Is sought out to provide advice or solutions around technical area.
            • Is informed about current developments around technical area.
            • Works under broad direction with considerable latitude for independent action.
            • Specific actions are guided primarily by professional standards and expected outcomes of the project.
            • Decisions and actions have an impact on the smooth operation and timeframes of the unit programs/projects; 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:

              • May supervise junior level staff members.
              • Work is reviewed in terms of meeting the organization’s objectives and schedules.
              • Accomplishes results through managers or senior members of a team.
              • Manages a technical area staff and function area within the organization.
              • Plays a coaching and mentoring role for others; may assist in team management as necessary, although has no formal people management responsibility.
              • Typically reports to a Director.

                Education: **

                • Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Health, Life/Social Sciences International Development, or Related Field.
                • Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

                  Experience: **

                  • Typically requires 12+ years of relevant experience in designing and evaluating applicable programs/services – may manage activities of lower-level staff, however, main function is individual contributor.
                  • Relevant publications, presentations, reports, and manual/tool development.
                  • Proficient experience in current polio eradication, surveillance, laboratory support or related program developments in polio eradication and/or Global Health Security.
                  • Years of work experience that demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of technical issues.
                  • Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization engaged in polio eradication efforts.
                  • International Program Development or Program management experience 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 5 lbs.

                      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 US Based hiring salary range for this role is listed below. Candidates FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. 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, business sector, and budget.

                          Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 7% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.

                          US Based Hiring Salary Range: USD 115,000 - 155,000 annual

                          International hiring ranges will differ based on location

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