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 Technical Advisor will support the Dominican Republic Ministry of Public Health (MSP) in carrying out life-saving health assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives and the America First Global Health Strategy. The Advisor will provide hands-on technical assistance to support implementation of the U.S.-Dominican Republic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with particular focus on HIV/AIDS and Global Health Security (GHS) program management, workforce transition planning, data systems strengthening, and achievement of ambitious outcome and process metrics during this critical transition period toward country-led health systems.

The primary objective of this position is to provide technical leadership and hands-on assistance to support implementation of the U.S.-DR MOU signed on February 26, 2026. The Advisor will work closely with the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), USG implementing partners, CDC, and the Foreign Assistance Hub at U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo to ensure effective coordination, technical quality, and progress toward MOU targets, including:

• Increasing the percentage of people with HIV who know their status from 95% (2026 baseline) to 98% by 2028
• Increasing the percentage of people on antiretroviral treatment (ART) who are virally suppressed from 63% to 75% by 2028
• Transitioning 419 U.S. Government-funded frontline healthcare workers to DR government payrolls by 2028
• Integrating health data systems and strengthening surveillance and outbreak response capabilities

This position complements the Foreign Assistance Specialist for Health position recruited through HASC. The HASC position provides senior-level advisory support and diplomatic engagement, while the LEAP HIV Technical Advisor provides hands-on technical assistance for HIV program implementation and MOU execution.

Responsibilities

Support to the Ministry of Public Health and MOU Implementation (40%)

1. MOU Implementation and Coordination

• Provide technical assistance to support development and execution of the MOU Implementation Plan, particularly for HIV/AIDS-related activities and metrics
• Support the Joint Health Cooperation Steering Committee (JHCSC) and Transition Management Unit (TMU) with technical inputs, progress monitoring, and problem-solving
• Coordinate with GHSD HQ-based support team (laboratory, supply chain, management and budget experts) to ensure integrated technical assistance delivery
• Monitor progress toward outcome metrics (% people with HIV who know their status, % on treatment, % virally suppressed) and process metrics (linkage to ART, new diagnoses, viral load testing coverage)

1. HIV Program Technical Assistance

• Provide technical guidance to strengthen HIV testing services, treatment, and viral load monitoring programs aligned with 95-95-95 targets
• Support quality improvement initiatives for HIV service delivery at facility and community levels
• Assist with development and implementation of strategies to reduce new HIV infections
• Provide technical input on HIV/TB integration and co-infection management

1. Health Workforce Transition Planning

• Support planning and execution of the transition of 419 U.S. Government-funded frontline healthcare workers (45 medical doctors, 17 nurses, 357 community health workers) to DR government payrolls by 2028
• Provide technical assistance on workforce planning, job descriptions, salary alignment, training needs assessment, and policy changes required for workforce absorption
• Coordinate with MSP human resources and finance teams to ensure smooth workforce transition without service delivery interruptions
• Support development of workforce retention strategies and capacity building initiatives

Support to the U.S. Department of State/GHSD (35%)

1. Data Systems and Strategic Information

• Support strengthening of HIV health information systems (FAPPS, SIRENP, SRPC, SIOTB) to improve data quality, completeness, and timeliness
• Provide technical assistance on data integration, interoperability, and alignment with national digital health standards
• Support implementation of the Data Sharing Agreement between the U.S. Government and DR, ensuring appropriate data access and reporting
• Assist with development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, dashboards, and reporting tools to track MOU metrics
• Support data quality assessments and process metric audits as outlined in the MOU

1. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Facilitate coordination among U.S. Government agencies (State Department, CDC), implementing partners, and DR government counterparts
• Support stakeholder consultations and technical working groups related to HIV programming and MOU implementation
• Liaise with GHSD HQ-based support team to ensure alignment of technical assistance with country needs and MOU priorities
• Coordinate with WHA regional bureau hub and other regional stakeholders as appropriate

1. Documentation and Reporting

• Prepare technical reports, briefing materials, and presentations on HIV program performance and MOU implementation progress
• Document best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for program improvement
• Support preparation of quarterly and annual reports on outcome and process metrics
• Contribute to development of policy briefs and operational guidance documents

Cross-Cutting Technical Support (25%)

• Support laboratory systems strengthening, including transition of 19 U.S. Government-funded frontline lab workers to DR government payrolls
• Provide input on supply chain management, commodity forecasting, and inventory management systems (SALMI, SUGEMI)
• Support surveillance and outbreak response capacity building in coordination with global health security priorities
• Assist with strategic investment planning and technical assistance coordination
• Conduct at least one field visit per month to regional health directorates and facilities to verify programmatic data and observe project implementation

Deliverables

The HIV Technical Advisor will deliver the following:

1. Weekly Updates: Provide concise weekly updates to GHSD’s Foreign Assistance Specialist for Health or designee, summarizing key activities, progress, and challenges (submitted by noon each Friday).
2. Monthly Progress Reports: Submit detailed monthly reports to the U.S. Department of State by the 5th day of the following month, including:
• Summary of technical assistance activities
• Key achievements with quantitative metrics (e.g., number of facilities visited, healthcare workers trained, data quality improvements)
• Challenges encountered and mitigation strategies
• Recommendations for program improvement
3. Quarterly MOU Metrics Reports: Analysis of progress toward HIV-related outcome and process metrics with data-driven recommendations for corrective actions (submitted within 10 days of quarter end).
4. Workforce Transition Plan: Detailed roadmap for transitioning 419 U.S. Government-funded healthcare workers to DR government payrolls, including timelines, training needs, policy requirements, and budget implications (draft due Month 3, final due Month 6).
5. Data Systems Strengthening Plan: Technical recommendations for improving HIV health information systems (FAPPS, SIRENP, SRPC, SIOTB), data quality, and reporting capabilities (due Month 4).
6. Field Visit Reports: Conduct and document at least one field visit per quarter to regional health directorates and facilities, providing detailed assessments of program implementation, data quality, and service delivery outcomes.
7. Stakeholder Consultation Summaries: Documentation of technical working group meetings, Joint Health Cooperation Steering Committee (JHCSC) sessions, Transition Management Unit (TMU) meetings, and coordination activities.
8. Technical Guidance Documents: Develop technical guidance documents as needed, including job aids, standard operating procedures, and training materials to support HIV program implementation.
9. Final Report: Comprehensive summary of technical assistance provided, achievements/results with quantitative outcomes, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustained MOU implementation (due within 15 days of contract completion).

 

REPORTING:

The HIV Technical Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. Department of State/Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), submitted by the 5th day of the following month. Additionally, the Advisor will submit a weekly progress report, copying the Foreign Assistance Specialist for Health, (and participate in weekly calls) to include a short paragraph about main successes for that week. The format for reporting may be adjusted with concurrence from the COR.

Supervision

In addition to your LEAP Global supervisors and POCs, the HIV Technical Advisor will report to the U.S. Department of State/Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD)'s Foreign Assistance Specialist for Health and has no formal supervisory responsibility. The Advisor will coordinate closely with:

• Country Program Manager, GHSD's day-to-day POC
• Ministry of Public Health (MSP) counterparts
• Implementing partners
• CDC country office staff
• WHA regional Foreign Assistance Hub

The incumbent may also have an onsite manager/supervisor with the Ministry of Public Health or implementing partner who will provide day-to-day direction as defined in the roles and responsibilities above.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's or higher) in public health, epidemiology, health systems, international development, or related field from an accredited institution
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in HIV/AIDS and/or infectious disease program management, technical assistance, or health systems strengthening in the Dominican Republic or developing or middle-income countries
• Proven experience supporting country-led health programs and workforce transition planning
• Experience with health information systems, data quality improvement, and strategic information
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government counterparts, implementing partners, and donor agencies
• Strong experience engaging with Ministry of Health and bilateral or multilateral donors/stakeholders such as the World Bank, the Global Fund, UN agencies, or national-level public sector projects
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills
• Excellent written and oral communication in English and fluency in Spanish required
• Good computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office programs
• Understanding of U.S. Government foreign assistance policies, rules, and regulations preferred

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly the Dominican Republic
• Knowledge of Dominican Republic's public health system, HIV policies, and relevant legislation
• Experience with DOS and/or PEPFAR projects
• Prior experience with LEAP or similar technical assistance mechanisms