Senior Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Advisor

Job Location: Washington, DC     

Telework Eligible: Yes, at least 3 days per week in-person reporting at Washington, DC office.

Remote Eligible: No.

Summary Statement

The Global Health Training, Advisory and Support Contract (GHTASC) delivers effective global health programming to advance the mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Global Health (GH) through institutional support and workforce development services from junior, mid-level, senior and expert advisory and administrative professionals.

Credence and its partner, the Public Health Institute (PHI), are both employers for GHTASC, and are seeking a Senior Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Advisor under GHTASC. This position will be hired under Public Health Institute (PHI).

Position Summary

The Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) within the Bureau for Global Health’s (GH) advances and supports family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) programs worldwide. The Office provides global coordination and leadership for improved policy, advocacy, and health outcomes; generates, organizes and disseminates knowledge in response to global and country needs; and partners with USAID field missions to accelerate progress towards achieving FP/RH development objectives.  PRH is committed to advancing and supporting a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible, anti-racist and learning community and to integrating these values into Office operations, functions and programming. PRH believes having a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the development of all staff and the Office’s work.

The Research, Technology, and Utilization Division (RTU) of the Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) provides technical leadership in building scientific and empirical knowledge and ensures its use in the design and implementation of effective, efficient, high-quality family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) programs. The objectives of RTU’s research program in Family Planning and Reproductive Health are to provide new and/or improved technologies; improve the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of family planning and related reproductive health services; strengthen developing country institutional capabilities to use research to diagnose and solve service delivery problems; and enhance the dissemination and utilization of research results.

The Senior Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Advisor will provide technical expertise and leadership to the RTU Division of PRH and, additionally, as directed by the PRH Office, to the Global Health (GH) Bureau. As a member of the RTU Division, the Advisor works collaboratively with colleagues in other divisions in PRH, offices of the GH Bureau, and USAID Missions. They will receive day-to-day guidance from the Chief of the RTU Division. 

Full salary range for this position is $133,380 to $200,720 per year, with the starting salary determined based on candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability

Develop and refine key RTU program research designs. 

• Participate in the design of new projects to address critical research gaps in FP/RH. 
• Provide technical guidance to the PRH Office, Agency Research and RTU Program Research Teams to design and develop program research activities. 
• Keep abreast of major program research results in FP/RH and apply to the identification of priority research questions for the PRH office. 
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to Missions to develop strategic and evidence- based family planning and reproductive health bilateral program.

Provide technical leadership to prioritize and maximize FP/RH research investments.

• Provide technical guidance to PRH regarding strategic investments in operations, social science, behavioral and biomedical research.
• In collaboration with other technical offices within USAID, identify opportunities to leverage and coordinate research investments. 
• Provide technical guidance to field missions, bilateral projects, and other in-country public and/or private sector programs to support USAID's investments in research.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to colleagues within PRH and Missions for the design and implementation of research.

Provide technical guidance for research utilization activities. 

• In collaboration with PRH and other technical office staff, review and synthesize key program data and research results. 
• Ensure that high-impact practices and evidence-based practices are incorporated into country programs, plans, and procurements by providing technical assistance to Missions and implementing partners. 
• Provide technical guidance as a member of one or more USAID/Washington Health Country Teams. 

Provide technical guidance and leadership within GH Bureau and external audiences.

• Prepare technical publications and present at international conferences and professional meetings. 
• Provide guidance to the Office Director and Division Chiefs and PRH staff on the preparation of information briefs, etc. as needed. 
• Provide guidance and mentorship to FSN colleagues under the GH FSN Fellowship Program.
• Actively participate and provide leadership in one or more relevant working groups within the PRH Office and/or the GH Bureau. Serve on a range of interagency and international committees or communities of practice relevant to the Bureaus’ investments in FP/RH. 
• Participate in professional continuing education, skills training, and professional meetings to enhance relevant technical skills and career development.
• Complete and execute an Individual Learning and Training Plan and Annual Work Plan.
• Travel 25% of the time including international travel.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree with 10 years of relevant experience, bachelor’s degree with 12 years of relevant experience, Associate’s degree and 14 years of relevant experience, or High School graduate and 16 years of relevant experience.

• US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency with the ability to obtain and maintain a Facility Access clearance is required. For Permanent Residents, this means having resided in the US for at least 3 of the past 5 years.

Other Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of professional experience with Sexual and Reproductive Health research.
• Demonstrated knowledge of operations and social science research methods and analysis. 
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing research in reproductive health in developing countries.
• Strong background in family planning, contraceptive methods, and family planning programs. 
• Expertise in program research in population and reproductive health, family planning, other proximate determinants of fertility, and gender. 
• Understanding the work of major national and international organizations and foundations that support research and knowledge management in FP/RH (e.g., USAID, NIH, WHO, Gates Foundation, FP2030 and their respective partners).
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask in a complex environment.
• Ability to work effectively within time constraints, individually, and as a member of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent oral communication and writing skills.  
• Strong teamwork and team-building skills. 
• Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment.
• Ability to travel 25% of the time including internationally. 

Competencies/Performance Criterion

• Innovation: Takes initiative to propose new ideas/approaches and demonstrates ability to find new and better ways to accomplish work
• Client Service: Communicates with clients, handling any issues politely and efficiently; understands and is available to clients; maintains pleasant and professional image.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of work responsibilities and holds high standards. Keeps commitments and takes appropriate actions to ensure obligations are met.  Pursues efficiency and effectiveness and adheres to organization policies and procedures.
• Interpersonal Skills: Works in cooperation with others and communicates effectively with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, clients, and other outside contacts.
• Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues professional development that is aligned with organizational role, contribution, and goals; proactively shares knowledge with others to foster learning across the organization.

Prior to submitting your application your resume must include relevant paid and non-paid experience showing dates held with month, year and hours worked per week for each position. Please ensure that all relevant experience and education is documented on your resume. There is no limitation to resume length; updates to resumes will not be accepted during the interview and selection process.