Senior Global Health Security (GHS) Advisor, DOS LEAP Global - Cameroon

ZemiTek•Bethesda, MD

17h

About The Position

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. The Senior Global Health Security (GHS) Advisor will support the Cameroon Government in carrying out GHS life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. The primary focus of the Adviser will be technical support with a special emphasis on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats which impact public health. The Senior GHS Advisor will support the appropriate multi-sectoral Government Departments and Agencies - such as the Ministry in charge of Public Health, Livestocks, Forestry, Environment, Agriculture, Defense, Zoonosis Program, etc.- for the effective adoption and implementation of life saving interventions focusing on preventing, detecting and responding to infectious disease threats with public health potential, such as zoonotic diseases. The Senior GHS Advisor will identify programmatic bottlenecks and facilitate solutions through coordinated technical support and facilitation of effort through the GHS projects and Pandemic Fund (where applicable). The Senior GHS Advisor will be based within the appropriate Ministry or Government structure. The Advisor will receive direction from the appropriate Ministry staff, who will serve as the onsite Manager/Supervisor. Familiarity with USG programming is highly desirable as the Advisor is expected to support the implementation of the GHS portfolio. The Advisor will report to the U.S. Department of State on a weekly and monthly basis.

Requirements

Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Environmental Health, Health Policy, or a related field
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in global health security, public health emergency preparedness and response, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience working with government ministries (e.g., Health, Agriculture, Environment, Defense, National Security) and international partners on multisectoral health security initiatives.
Proven track record in designing, implementing, and evaluating surveillance systems for human, animal, and environmental health, including community-based surveillance.
Experience supporting or leading cross-sectoral initiatives and multisectoral coordination platforms.
Experience in outbreak investigation, emergency response, and management of public health emergencies.
Experience with relevant global health security frameworks.
Experience in grant writing, donor reporting, and resource mobilization (e.g., Pandemic Fund, Global Fund, USAID, or similar).
Strong knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance, laboratory systems, and infection prevention and control (IPC).
Familiarity with digital health tools, data management, and information systems for surveillance and reporting.
Ability to develop and deliver training and capacity-building programs for diverse audiences.
Strong analytical, monitoring, and evaluation skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate multisectoral teams, including government, civil society, and international partners.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Fluency in English and French (spoken and written) is required.
Willingness to travel within Cameroon and internationally as needed.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a high degree of professionalism and integrity.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with US Government programming and reporting requirements is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Governance, Coordination, and Policy Support multisectoral ministries—including those in charge of Public Health, Livestock, Forestry, Environment, Agriculture, Defense, and National Security authorities, Zoonosis Program, —in the effective delivery of life-saving activities.
Help organize regular discussions among multisectoral stakeholders and partners (including relevant ministries and donors) to ensure alignment of technical approaches in the GHS portfolio.
Foster collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors for early detection and response to zoonotic and emerging threats.
Facilitate cross-border collaboration with neighboring countries for information sharing, joint outbreak investigations, and harmonized response strategies.
Participate in regional GHS networks and initiatives.
Review and support the development or revision of national legislation, policies, and regulations to ensure alignment with IHR (2005) and other international standards.
Advocate for sustainable domestic financing for GHS activities, including emergency preparedness and response.
Support the design and implementation of integrated surveillance systems for human, animal, and environmental health, including active community-based surveillance.
Promote prioritized interventions in effective community-based active surveillance, strengthening systems capacity for detecting priority diseases/threats, and data systems for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on threats.
Support the development and integration of digital health tools for real-time disease surveillance, data analysis, and information sharing.
Ensure data security, privacy, and interoperability across platforms.
Support the expansion and accreditation of laboratory networks for timely and accurate diagnosis of priority diseases in humans, animals, and the environment.
Promote the integration of laboratory data into national surveillance and reporting systems.
Support and strengthen Emergency Management, including Emergency Operating Centers (EOC) and Point of Entry Screening.
Facilitate simulation exercises and after-action reviews to test and improve preparedness and response plans.
Develop contingency plans for maintaining critical supplies during disruptions.
Support rapid and effective responses to infectious disease outbreaks which are threats for public health.
Assist the relevant multisectoral ministries in emergency outbreak responses as needed.
Support the adoption of infection prevention and control (IPC), including commodities and WASH in healthcare facilities; case management.
Strengthen supply chain systems for essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring rapid deployment during emergencies.
Support risk communication and community engagement strategies.
Develop and implement strategies for community engagement to build trust, improve health literacy, and encourage early reporting of unusual health events.
Support the establishment of community-based surveillance networks.
Support the relevant Ministries to rapidly and accurately report infectious diseases threats to the relevant domestic and international systems (e.g., IHR, WAHIS).
Develop and implement regular training programs for health workers, laboratory staff, emergency responders, and relevant personnel in agriculture, defense, and national security authorities on surveillance, outbreak investigation, biosafety, and biosecurity.
Promote a culture of continuous learning and adaptation by documenting lessons learned and best practices.
Establish robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks for all GHS activities, with clear indicators and feedback mechanisms.
Assist in monitoring the progress of GHS program implementation and provide recommendations for improvements of service delivery.
Review and analyze performance reports submitted to the Pandemic Fund, Global Fund, and other partners.
Assist the relevant multisectoral Ministries to achieve GHS-related targets, including Joint External Evaluation (JEE), IHR States Parties Self-Assessment (SPAR), and the Pandemic Fund Framework (including the 7-1-7 target: 7 days to detect, 1 day to report, 7 days to complete the initial response).
Advocate for increased investment in GHS from government, private sector, and international partners.
Identify and pursue new funding opportunities to support GHS priorities.
Support effective utilization of Pandemic Fund grants, other donors’ resources, and emergency outbreak response efforts.
Provide technical support to develop Pandemic Fund grant applications and support grant implementation review to ensure effective grant implementation and avoid duplication with US Government funded projects.
Design and implement a sustainability plan to ensure that interventions and improvements are maintained after the consultancy ends.
Develop an exit or transition plan to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities and ongoing activities to designated local staff or institutions.
Provide monthly and weekly reports to the U.S. Department of State.
Regular conference calls with multisectoral stakeholders, US Embassy Yaoundé, and Washington to review progress, discuss activities, and address emerging issues.
Provide information and avail him/herself for calls/meetings with the US Embassy, host structure as requested.
The Senior Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. Department of State, submitted by the 5th day of the following month. Additionally, the Advisor will submit a weekly progress report to U.S. Department of State (and participate in weekly calls) to include a short paragraph about main successes for that week.
Ensure that gender, equity, and the needs of vulnerable populations are integrated into all GHS activities, including surveillance, response, and risk communication.
Promote inclusive participation in trainings and stakeholder meetings.
Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential challenges (e.g., political, logistical, security, or resource constraints) and propose mitigation strategies.
Update risk management plans as needed throughout the consultancy.