Senior Tuberculosis / HIV Advisor, DOS LEAP Global - Nigeria

ZemiTek LLC•Bethesda, MD

About The Position

The Senior TB/HIV Advisor will support in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nigeria. Despite notable progress in scaling up TB/HIV collaborative activities under the PEPFAR-supported program, TB case detection among PLHIV remains suboptimal, with more than 40% of estimated TB cases among PLHIV undiagnosed as of 2022. The gap is largely attributable to inconsistent TB screening, weak diagnostic cascades and underutilization of available tools such as portable digital X-ray (PDX) with computer-aided detection (CAD) systems. While PDX-CAD platforms have demonstrated strong potential to improve TB case yield, their impact has been limited by poor optimization, inadequate mentorship, fragmented data systems and low integration with HIV service delivery points. Concurrently, TB preventive treatment (TPT) uptake and completion among PLHIV remain below national and PEPFAR targets, constrained by weak tracking systems, poor client adherence support and missed opportunities at ART clinics. To address these bottlenecks, the U.S. Department of State (DOS), through its implementing partners (IPs), seeks to engage a short-term TB/HIV Technical Consultant to provide high-level technical support to optimize TB case finding and TPT uptake across all 16 DOS-supported states. The consultancy will strengthen program coordination, promote effective use of PDX-CAD technologies and institutionalize data-driven mentorship for improved cascade performance.

Requirements

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
A minimum of ten (10) 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 Nigerian 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 Nigeria’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.

Nice To Haves

Medical degree preferred but not required (e.g., MBChB, MBBS, MD, or equivalent).
Understanding of USG rules and regulations preferred.

Responsibilities

Review current TB/HIV performance data (MER indicators: TX_TB, TB_PREV, TB_STAT, TB_ART) across all 8 IPs to identify performance gaps, site-level variations and high-impact opportunities.
Map the distribution and functionality status of PDX-CAD machines in supported states across IPs and those supported through GF, 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.
Provide technical guidance on standardized TB screening algorithms and ensure integration with HIV testing and ART initiation workflows.
Support IPs in optimizing PDX-CAD utilization, including appropriate deployment to high-yield facilities, data synchronization and routine QA/QC reviews.
Conduct joint supportive supervision and on-site mentorship to strengthen symptom screening, diagnostic linkage and documentation quality.
Facilitate harmonization of PDX-CAD data reporting within LAMIS dashboards and ensure feedback loops for continuous performance improvement.
Strengthen implementing partner provision and or referral to appropriate treatment services for all PLHIV diagnosed with TB.
Review existing TPT data flows and identify bottlenecks across initiation, follow-up and completion cascades.
Support IPs 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 NASCP and NTBLCP guidelines.
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.
Develop standardized tools for monitoring PDX-CAD functionality, utilization and yield.
Facilitate the complete and accurate reporting of TBHIV data into all NTBLCP registers and data reporting systems.
Produce monthly technical briefs summarizing key findings, challenges and best practices across IPs.
Contribute to quarterly program reports and document at least two case studies or success stories on PDX-CAD optimization or TPT scale-up.
Present findings and recommendations to the DOS Health Team and relevant PEPFAR coordination platforms.