Global Health Fellows Program II
Method Choice Intern
Service Delivery Improvement Division, Office of Population and Reproductive Health, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development
Anticipated timeframe: March 2018 – June 2018: Compensated 3 month internship
Location: Washington, DC/ Arlington, VA
INT-P7-024
The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual working planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.
Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.
BACKGROUND:
The Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) advances and supports voluntary family planning and reproductive health programs worldwide to reduce unintended pregnancy and foster improved reproductive health behaviors. PRH undertakes activities and manages programs that advance and apply state-of-the-art technologies, expand access to quality services, promote healthy behavior, broaden contraceptive availability and choices, and strengthen policies and systems to address family planning (FP) and reproductive health (RH) needs. PRH provides strategic direction for family planning and reproductive health programs worldwide; supports several focus areas (e.g. method choice, total market approach, social and behavior change, logistics) and audiences (e.g. gender, youth, faith entities); provides technical support to Mission programs worldwide; ensures responsiveness to Congressional and Administration priorities, directives and restrictions; and provides information on USAID’s family planning and reproductive health programs.
The Service Delivery Improvement (SDI) Division within PRH develops and applies innovative strategies that improve the performance of individuals, organizations and systems for the sustainable delivery of quality family planning and reproductive health services. The Division has multiple projects that work to increase the use of family planning and health services and products and seeks to strengthen health systems to improve family planning and health outcomes.
INTRODUCTION:
Use of modern contraception increases when more methods become available and when a variety of service delivery channels are utilized. USAID has expanded method choice by supporting the development of the subcutaneous contraceptive injection DMPA-SC, administered by the Uniject™ device.
USAID has joined a global partnership of donors and implementers to introduce and scale up DMPA-SC. The Method Choice Intern (Intern) will support a cross-office team of Advisors to provide up-to-date information on country-specific implementation status, lessons learned and challenges. S/he will also join USAID colleagues in meetings and will complete tasks for the donor consortium. The Intern will learn about ensuring voluntarism and promoting rights-based FP in relation to introducing and scaling up a single method.
S/he will enhance his/her knowledge of DMPA-SC service delivery by considering the various service delivery channels and how they can be leveraged for expanding access to this and all family planning methods. The Intern will work closely with the Private Sector Team while directly reporting to the Technical Advisor in SDI as his/her onsite manager.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Gaining experience in the field of USAID, its work in global health and the broader global health community as it relates to family planning.
- Gaining a greater understanding of family planning and reproductive health programs
- Deepening skills in collaboration and coordination within a complex organizational and implementation structure.
- Participating in professional development activities provided through GHFP-II and USAID (e.g. via technical presentations, meetings, etc.) as agreed upon with on site-manager (5%).
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- In coordination with the OSM, gathering information from GH Bureau staff, Mission staff and other key informants to update HQ records that track DMPA-SC work. This includes understanding current procurement and forecasting needs/challenges by working with colleagues in the Commodities Security and Logistics Division of PRH.
- Meeting with the Policy and Compliance Team to understand FP statutory and policy requirements as they apply to our work with DMPA-SC.
- Gathering information on ongoing research related to DMPA-SC and supporting dissemination of completed research by engaging with colleagues in the Research and Technology Utilization Division.
- In coordination with the OSM engaging with the multi-donor consortium that is working towards advancing DMPA-SC and documenting progress made by projects that are introducing and scaling up DMPA-SC in the field.
- Supporting the OSM with communications to the field on DMPA-SC, answering general questions and offering resources (as appropriate).
- Engaging with the GH Bureau country team FP points of contact to ensure they are up-to-date on information and programming approaches for DMPA-SC.
- Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational and programming need and/or the Intern’s own interests.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Currently enrolled master’s or other post-bachelor’s degree candidate in a program related to public health or public policy (MPH, MPP, etc); or completion of such degree within the last 12 months.
- Experience in family planning service delivery concepts and practice a plus.
- Strong analytical, communication and writing skills.
- Experience working effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines while producing quality content
- Excellent organization skills.
- Experience introducing new pharmaceutical products a plus.
- US citizenship or US permanent residency required.
COMPENSATION:
$1,826 bi-weekly (exempt, salaried position).
TO APPLY:
Detailed information, including an online application and instructions, is available on our website at www.ghfp.net. All applications must be submitted by December 13, 2017 at 5:00 pm eastern time.
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