LEAP Program Description

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) – a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC and Dexis Consulting Group – is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global), a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. As of July 1, 2025, LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries.

The intervention of this project is to hire and embed technical expert advisors and subject matter experts within government entities. By directly embedding the technical expertise within the national programs, LEAP provides long-term, sustainable lifesaving support to empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios and improve coordination between the U.S. Government and the host country.

About the Position

The HIV Advisor will support the implementation of life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the America First Global Health Strategy in El Salvador and the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. The primary focus of the Advisor will be technical, with a special emphasis on supporting the implementation and oversight of USG-supported implementing partners working to prevent, detect, and respond to HIV and other related infectious disease threats that impact regional public health as well as the health of U.S. citizens.

The HIV Advisor will support PEPFAR program implementation at Salvadoran Ministry of Health and Social Security clinics and surrounding communities. The position will provide oversight to ensure that HIV case identification, immediate linkage to treatment, adherence to treatment, and achievement of viral suppression through an approach focused on strengthening local capacities to respond to the epidemic. The program also incorporates innovations in related areas such as supply chain management, the management of advanced HIV disease and opportunistic infections, private sector HIV care services, and transitioning local health systems toward self-reliance.

This Advisor must be based in El Salvador and will be expected to travel regularly to clinics across the country (20% time, per diem will be provided). The Advisor will report to the Regional PEPFAR Coordinator based in Guatemala while working closely with the PEPFAR Representative and ECON Office at U.S. Embassy San Salvador, and the Grants Officer Representatives (GORs) based in the regional hub and Washington for the PEPFAR awards. Familiarity with PEPFAR programming is highly desirable, as the Advisor is expected to support the implementation of the PEPFAR portfolio. The Advisor will provide regular updates to appropriate staff at post on a weekly and monthly basis.

Responsibilities

PEPFAR Program Implementation and Oversight (75%)

• Support and review PEPFAR implementing partner work plans.
• Provide ongoing oversight to PEPFAR implementing partners in country to ensure implementation aligns with PEPFAR approved workplans, technical and administrative recommendations, National Strategic Plans/Ministry of Health priorities, and epidemiological profiles.
• Monitor implementing partner performance at the site and country level, focusing on both administrative and technical compliance.
• Conduct site visits on behalf of the GOR or the PEPFAR Country Representative, with emphasis on Data Quality Assessments (DQA), Site Improvement through Monitoring System (SIMS), and routine monitoring.
• Support country-level compliance monitoring for Executive Orders (EO) and other regulatory obligations among State health mechanisms.
• Serve as a liaison between implementing partners and the GOR, identifying needs for technical assistance, implementation challenges, and areas requiring clarification.
• Flag emerging technical priorities, programmatic tensions, or inconsistencies in interpretation of program guidance for escalation to the GOR, PEPFAR Country Representatives, and technical leads.
• Ensure partner alignment on national and site-level transition plans to self-reliance.

 

PEPFAR Coordination, Collaboration, and Stakeholder Engagement (25%)

• Support the PEPFAR Country Representative in fostering harmonization of programmatic approaches, ensure technical consistency, and avoid duplication across partner efforts.
• Participate in and contribute to country-level partner meetings, including those chaired by the PEPFAR Country Representative as a technical resource.
• In alignment with the PEPFAR Country Representative, the ECON Office at the Embassy, the PEPFAR Coordination Office and WHA Regional Bureau Hub Staff as needed; coordinate with the Ministry of Health civil society, and other donors (e.g., Global Fund, UNAIDS).
• Provide technical input into the PEPFAR Planning Process (PPP) and participate in country-level PPP meetings.

Reporting:

• The HIV Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the PEPFAR Coordinator, submitted by the 5th day of the following month. The PEPFAR Coordinator will engage relevant parties, including the PEPFAR Country Representative.
• Additionally, the Advisor will submit a weekly progress report to the PEPFAR Coordinator (and participate in weekly calls) to include a short paragraph about main successes for that week.
• The Advisor is expected to participate in regular conference calls with national multisectoral stakeholders, PEPFAR Coordination Office, and Embassy to review progress, discuss activities, and address emerging issues.
• The Advisor should provide information and avail him/herself for calls/meetings with the PEPFAR Coordination Office and Embassy as requested and escalate any issues that need U.S. Government input to Embassy staff/POCs.
• The Advisor's job is advisory only and does not include representing the U.S. government or making binding agreements.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in Public Health, Medicine, Economics, Social or Political Sciences, or a related field relevant to the responsibilities outlined.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience managing international cooperation projects within donor agencies, public health programs, or related fields.
• At least three (3) years of direct experience working on HIV/AIDS response initiatives.
• Demonstrated understanding of PEPFAR programming, civil society engagement, government coordination, and international donor collaboration frameworks.
• Fluency in both Spanish and English. Availability to travel locally at least once per month for up to one week.