Job Opportunities at Accordia

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At Accordia Global Health Foundation's headquarters in Washington, DC:

For information on positions available at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in Kampala, Uganda please visit the IDI website.

Consultant, Health Economist
Cost-Effectiveness Study on National Malaria Training Model

In 2005, Accordia Global Health Foundation, under a grant from ExxonMobil’s Africa Health Initiative, launched the Joint Uganda Malaria Training Program (JUMP) with the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) of Makerere University in Uganda.  This innovative training program was the first to target multidisciplinary clinical teams in a comprehensive course designed to improve malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment.  A partnership with the Uganda Malaria Surveillance Project enabled real-time evaluation of the training program’s impact, through the collection and review of extensive patient-level data from participating health facilities.  In 2007, ExxonMobil funded an additional operational research program designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of an on-site training program incorporating rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), compared to standard-of-care presumptive treatment, at peripheral health centers in Uganda lacking laboratory capacity. Results of both evaluations indicated that the JUMP training significantly reduced the proportion of patients prescribed an antimalarial without adversely affecting health outcomes, and that substantial cost savings could be achieved by scaling up this program in Uganda.

While the impact of Accordia and IDI’s training program is not disputed, more evidence is needed to validate the suitability of its cost structure.  All components of the Model must be examined individually including the Kampala-based Malaria Management Core Course,  the highly effective field-based Cascade Training, the Fever Case Management Module with RDTs and other dissemination strategies, and as an overall package of training products. 

The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) developed an operational research (OR) process in support of the scaling-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2004. Three guiding principles of the research were established: a multidisciplinary approach, country ownership of the activities, and links to implementation and policy. TDR principles should be applied when designing the cost effectiveness study. 

The hypothesis is that the impact of Accordia and IDI’s malaria training far exceeds that of other training programs attempted elsewhere in Africa.  That incremental impact is achieved by more intensive training courses, mobile team support and supervision activities, and access to other ongoing support services at IDI.  These elements of Accordia’s National Malaria Training Model may be more costly to execute than conventional training.  This consultancy will encompass an assessment of costs and impact of similar training products in the region, analysis of the cost and value of Accordia’s incremental training components in comparison, and recommendations for a dissemination strategy to communicate the results.

It is expected that the consultancy will be completed within six months.  Work space will be provided in Accordia Foundation’s Washington, D.C. offices.  Please send resumes to Medesse Sonou, msonou@accordiafoundation.org.

 

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Director of Program Development

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Senior Vice President, Global Health Programs

THE ORGANIZATION: Founded in 2001, Accordia Global Health Foundation (Accordia) is a global health organization building Africa’s capacity to fight infectious disease (HIV, malaria and tuberculosis).

Accordia partners with academic medical centers in Africa to build strong health leadership in research, training, and clinical services.  We work in partnership with individuals, corporations, foundations, and governments from Africa, Europe, and North America to achieve that vision of a healthier Africa.  At Accordia, we believe that a lasting impact can only be achieved by leveraging the expertise and contributions of diverse partners and by focusing these efforts to develop the skills and infrastructure in Africa that are necessary not only to fight this epidemic, but also to lay the foundation for future infectious disease crisis.

Accordia works with our Academic Alliance network of accomplished infectious disease specialists from some of the world’s best known universities, and a prestigious Science Advisory Board who convenes annually.  We are governed by a voluntary Board of Directors who are recognized leaders from industry and philanthropic circles. Accordia’s flagship program is the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.  More information about Accordia can be found on our website, at http://accordiafoundation.org/.

MAIN FUNCTION: As an integral member of the Accordia team, the Director of Program Development reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Global Health Programs and leads the development of most major proposals for new programmatic funding.  This position offers the rare opportunity for a creative and motivated global health professional to have a direct impact on programs to be implemented by an experienced organization, building a stronger health workforce in Africa.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

  • With senior management team, contributes to strategic and long-range programmatic strategy.  Helps to develop annual operating plans with specific targets for programmatic fund development.  
  • Identifies new donors and funding opportunities, and evaluates for programmatic and financial feasibility, fit with organizational strategy and mission, and potential for ultimate impact.  
  • Uses a current knowledge of donor and policy trends in global health sector to develop proactive, innovative programs in response to the needs and interests of Accordia’s funding partners and constituents.
  • Leads the development of proposals for funding, in response to specific opportunities as they arise.  Ensures that all proposals are adequately funded for success, incorporate appropriate partnerships and resources, and have strong performance metrics in place to ensure impact evaluation.  
  • Secures appropriate content expertise for new program design.
  • Develop and communicate standard language templates and quality standards, and support their adoption by internal program staff and consultants
  • Works with Grants Management team to ensure ongoing and/or expanded funding with existing funding partners.  
  • Keeps Accordia staff well informed of outstanding opportunities, pending proposals, and major awards to other organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Advanced degree(s) in public or international health.  

Experience:  
Minimum of five years of professional experience in a relevant field, involving program development, strategic planning, development of budgets, and/or business planning.
International experience, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa.

Essential Requirements:

  • Skilled at thinking strategically in a global health context, particularly as relates to medical education, health workforce development, public health policy and infectious disease strategy and interventions.
  • Ability to communicate confidently and effectively on complex global health issues, in writing and through public speaking.
  • Superior organizational skills, project management skills, and the willingness to set and meet deadlines consistently.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a long-term vision with a unique attention to detail in a fast paced environment.  
  • Proven success in building, maintaining, and managing long-term relationships with colleagues, consultants, partners and funders.  
  • Knowledge of government grant and contracting procedures.
  • Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally – up to 25% time.


TO APPLY:

Email resume and writing sample to Medesse Sonou at msonou@accordiafoundation.org.  Applications must be received before April 9, 2010 to be considered.

 

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Director, Statistical Analysis and Data Management, Integrated Infectious Diseases Capacity Building Evaluation (IDCAP)

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:  Sr. Vice President, Global Health Programs

This position will be based in Washington DC, but may require occasional travel to Uganda.

Project Overview:Accordia’s Integrated Infectious Disease Capacity-Building Evaluation (IDCAP) is a 3-year program (funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) with the goal of evaluating a cost-effective method to build capacity among mid-level health practitioners in sub-Saharan Africa for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.  A comprehensive surveillance system of 36 health facilities throughout Uganda will be used to support analysis of the impact of a novel training package of classroom training, distance learning, and on-site support services on individual competence, facility performance, and health outcomes in the surrounding communities.

Main Function: The Director of Statistical Analysis and Data Management will monitor IDCAP’s data collection, and cleaning and handling systems in Uganda; and ensure the quality of all analysis and reports generated by the project team.  S/he will develop internal protocols for Accordia’s storage and maintenance of IDCAP data, permissions for data access and authorship rights, and other proprietary issues relating to data.  The Director will serve as a mentor to all junior data staff on the project, and act as a resource to Accordia and IDCAP Investigators.  S/he will contribute to the analysis and writing behind most of IDCAP’s scientific output.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

  • Work with IDCAP evaluation team to review and monitor data, develop or revise data collection tools and analysis plans, and conduct reviews of data sets and processes for quality and integrity
  • Conduct statistical analysis of data using STATA and SPSS, technically interpret results of that analysis, and skillfully present data and analysis for both oral and written formats
  • Collaborate with IDCAP investigators, program managers, and evaluation team to complete joint scientific reports and overviews, including review of such reports to ensure accuracy and clarity
  • Mentor data technicians and data assistants in all aspects of data management and analysis, as appropriate
  • Actively participate in IDCAP and other professional meetings relating to the evaluation of capacity-building efforts, and the measurement of human capacity and quality of care
  • Develop Accordia’s data protocols and internal policies for data maintenance, use and sharing
  • Protect Accordia’s interests in maximizing IDCAP’s scientific output and securing additional resources for further resulting investigation

Required Qualifications:

  • Minimum of a Masters degree in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, economics or other field with emphasis on quantitative analysis (PhD preferred)
  • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in related field, with 5 years experience in a research environment
  • A minimum of 5 years supervisory experience (cross cultural experience preferred)
  • Expertise in statistical methods and interpretation
  • Excellent computer skills including statistical analysis packages (Stata, SAS, SPSS), databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation software, email
  • Excellent writing, analytical and oral presentation skills

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Understanding of management information systems in the health sector
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with individuals and teams
  • Demonstrated ability to handle a variety of tasks in a fast paced, international environment and with a unique attention to detail

To apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications to Medesse Sonou.

No phone calls please. Submit cover letter with salary requirements, resume, and short writing sample by Wednesday, June 25, 2010.  Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

 

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