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 Senior TB/HIV Advisor will support in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. TB and HIV in South Sudan form a critical, interlocking health crisis, with an estimated TB incidence of 227/100,000 population and an 11% HIV co-infection rate among TB patients as of 2023. The gravity of the situation is evident: in 2019, HIV and tuberculosis jointly accounted for a third of deaths among adults aged 15–49 years. The crisis is compounded by flooding, food insecurity, and conflict, which disrupt services, especially for displaced populations.

Notable progress has been made in scaling up TB/HIV collaborative activities under the PEPFAR-supported programs, CDC and Global Fund partners like Cordaid. For example, services have expanded to over 183 facilities and the installation of 53 solar-powered GeneXpert machines has boosted diagnostic capabilities in select health centers. However, TB case identification in South Sudan is heavily hindered by armed conflict, displacement, severely damaged health infrastructure, and profound stigma. Only about 22% of health facilities have TB diagnostic services, creating a massive gap in access for the rural population, while a severe shortage of skilled health workers and limited TB/HIV service integration further exacerbate low detection rates. Low community awareness and widespread misunderstandings leads to stigma, causing patients to avoid screening, diagnosis and treatment. 

To address this crisis, the U.S. Department of State (DOS), through theLEAP mechanism, seeks to engage a TB/HIV Technical Advisor to provide high-level technical support to optimize TB case finding and TPT uptake across 6 DOS-supported states. This position will strengthen program coordination between the MOH and Global Fund/Cordaid to scale up TB/HIV integration and institutionalize data-driven mentorship for improved cascade performance and will work closely with the DOS-funded AHEC mechanism.

 

Overall Objective of Assignment:

To provide focused, high-level technical assistance to the 6 DOS-supported states to significantly increase the rate of TB case finding and improve TPT uptake and completion rates among PLHIV.

Responsibilities

The Advisor will work closely with the DOS Health Team, Global Fund/Cordaid, the MOH, and AHEC.

Situational Analysis and Planning

• Review current TB/HIV performance data (MER indicators: TX_TB, TB_PREV, TB_STAT, TB_ART) to identify performance gaps, site-level variations and high-impact opportunities.
• Map the distribution and functionality status of GeneXpert machines including utilization rates, staff proficiency, data quality, connectivity, maintenance and integration with laboratory networks.
• Develop a technical action plan outlining short-term interventions, mentorship needs and capacity-building priorities to address identified gaps.

Optimization of TB Case Finding among PLHIV and access to appropriate TB treatment.

• Provide technical guidance on standardized TB screening algorithms and ensure integration with HIV testing and ART initiation workflows.
• Support AHEC and MOH in data synchronization and routine QA/QC reviews.
• Conduct joint supportive supervision and on-site mentorship to strengthen symptom screening, diagnostic linkage and documentation quality.
• Strengthen provision and or referral to appropriate treatment services for all PLHIV diagnosed with TB.

Strengthening TPT Uptake and Completion

• Review existing TPT data flows and identify bottlenecks across initiation, follow-up and completion cascades.
• Support AHEC to institutionalize monthly TPT monitoring dashboards to track progress and completion rates disaggregated by site, age and regimen.
• Provide on-site mentorship on TPT commodity management, client counseling and adherence monitoring to reduce loss to follow-up.
• Develop and disseminate TPT job aids, SOPs and data validation tools aligned with MOH guidelines.

Capacity Building and Coordination

• Conduct targeted capacity building for IP TB/HIV focal persons, data officers and clinicians on PDX-CAD optimization, cascade management and data use for decision-making.
• Facilitate quarterly TB/HIV performance review meetings with IPs and government counterparts to share lessons and best practices.
• Provide technical inputs to national TB/HIV technical working group meetings and assist in updating TB/HIV integration protocols as needed.

Monitoring, Reporting and Knowledge Sharing

• Facilitate the complete and accurate reporting of TB/HIV data into registers and data reporting systems.
• Produce monthly technical briefs summarizing key findings, challenges and best practices.
• Contribute to quarterly program reports and document at least two case studies or success stories.
• Present findings and recommendations to the DOS Health Team, MOH, Global Fund at coordination platforms.

Deliverables :

Inception Report and Workplan  

• Situational analysis summary, detailed workplan and monitoring framework

TPT Uptake Improvement Framework

• Practical guide and mentorship package for IPs on increasing TPT initiation and completion

Mentorship and Supervision Reports

• Site-level reports on supervision visits, capacity building and cascade improvement actions

Technical Briefs and Case Studies

• At least 2 documented success stories and 3 monthly technical briefs

Final Technical Report

• Comprehensive synthesis of interventions, outcomes, lessons learned and recommendations

 

REPORTING:

The Senior TB/HIV Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. Department of State (Office of Foreign Assistance), submitted by the 5th day of the following month. Additionally, the Advisor will submit a weekly progress report to the U.S. Department of State (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.

In addition to your LEAP Global supervisors and POCs, The Senior TB/HIV Advisor will report to the Senior Assistance Coordinator and/or the GHSD Officer and his/her designate and has no formal supervisory responsibility.  Incumbent may also have a POC with the coordinating South Sudan ministry, department and or agency as defined in the roles and responsible above.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or local equivalent from an accredited program in Public Health, International Development, Health, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology, Biology, Infectious Disease, Medicine, Pharmacy, Immunization or relevant qualification required
• Medical degree preferred but not required (e.g., MBChB, MBBS, MD, or equivalent).
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of public health programming in developing or middle-income countries, with a focus on immunization.
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience managing large-scale TB and HIV projects with demonstrated financial and programmatic oversight.
• Prior experience working with or for bilateral or multilateral donors/stakeholders such as the World Bank, the Global Fund, UN agencies, or national-level public sector projects and ensuring compliance with U.S. Government rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Understanding of USG rules and regulations preferred.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of South Sudan government and US Government personnel and partners and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English – both orally and in writing is essential.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching/training and capacity building.
• Experience working with the key stakeholders in TB and HIV programs, preferably the national stakeholders and international donors.
• Knowledge of South Sudan’s public health system, TB and HIV policies, and relevant legislation.
• Ability to travel domestically as required and work effectively in team environments with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.