Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant TB Advisor (USAID/LEAP) - Indonesia

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 used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in USAID-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 will provide long-term, sustainable mentoring and capacity building for program staff, empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios, and improve coordination between USAID and the host government.

LEAP Global is looking for a mid- senior drug-resistant tuberculosis advisor, who will provide technical expertise to the National TB Control program of Indonesia, which is located at the Department of Disease Control of the Ministry of Health. DR-TB advisor would be a member of the NTP central office team based in Jakarta and will be reporting to the NTP program manager.

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Position Type: CCN/Full-time
Salary Range: Starting at IDR 225,000,000 / USD 13,823.7 (based on OANDA conversion rate on July 9,2024)

Period of Performance: One (1) year, with one (1) one-year option period. A probationary period of three (3) months will apply at the beginning of the contract.

Duties and Responsibilities: The Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant TB Advisor will:

● Support technical expertise and guidance to the NTP in the implementation of National Strategic Plan to address Drug-resistant TB in Indonesia:
● Serve as an expert advisor on programmatic components of drug-resistant TB program
● Provide technical advice, guidance and expert opinion on DR-TB cascade of care, from DR-TB detection, to treatment initiation and treatment support, for both adults and children
● Assist the NTP with an effective supervision and capacity building for Drug-Resistant (DR) TB sites, including the use of mentorship, cohort monitoring, quality improvement tools and improved supervisory arrangements to increase the consistency and quality of clinical practice in PMDT.
● Assist NTP to develop a National plan for expansion of DR TB treatment sites.
● Review policy options for new regimens for consideration by NTP, by staying current on global updates for New Drug (ND) Shortened Treatment Regimen (STR), to ensure early adoption of international guidelines.
● Build the NTP capacity in the areas of introduction, implementation and scale-up of the new DR TB drug regimen(s)including development of training curricula, guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
● Analyze the factors underlying the suboptimal PMDT performance and support the NTP to plan and take strategic corrective actions.
● Work with NTP to guide the national process of adopting and scaling up a customized DR-TB Comprehensive package.


Improved coordination of PMDT activities nationwide:

● Support the NTP to expand the ongoing efforts in active TB drug-safety monitoring and management (aDSM) and to strengthen the reporting and management of serious adverse events (SAEs), including integrated pharmacovigilance.
● Provide technical support to the NTP to oversee a well-coordinated PMDT program; introduce new tools and strategies, assist the NTP to expand ambulatory care throughout the country
● Provide regular updates on PMDT progress to NTP and USAID, including developing and submitting technical monthly progress reports and bi-annual monitoring and evaluation reports to USAID.
● Participate in regular conference calls with USAID and other donors as required.
● Assist with identification or introduction of innovative approaches to improve the MDR, Pre-XDR/XDR-TB patients’ treatment outcomes.

● Masters degree plus certificate in internal medicine or Masters in Public Health or equivalent. At least three (3) years of DR-TB experience for mid-level position and at least seven (7) years of experience for a senior-level position
Experience implementing DR-TB program or activities; Preferable clinical experience of providing clinical care to DR-TB patients 

● Preferred experience in PMDT, commensurate with the educational background and demonstrated proficiency in clinical management
● Candidates with demonstrated knowledge and capabilities in the DR TB program in Indonesia are encouraged to apply, regardless of specific years of PMDT experience

● In depth knowledge and hands-on experience in the clinical management of drug resistant TB is an advantage.
● Demonstrated ability to review, analyze and provide technical advice on quality PMDT programs at national level. .
● Demonstrated knowledge of global and national policies and best practices on the management of drug resistant TB.
● Knowledge of ongoing and emerging issues in PMDT, e.g.,epidemiology, international policy, evidence development and (MDR) TB control strategies, shorter MDR regimens, novel drugs and diagnostics tools.
● Experience in facilitating training and delivering capacity building.
● Experience working with the key stakeholders in the Indonesian National TB program and international development partners .

● Language proficiency, Fluent in English, Bahasa Indonesia

● Supervisory Relationship: The Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant TB Advisor will be embedded within the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) and work under the direct supervision of the National TB Program Manager. The Advisor will will work in close collaboration with USAID Indonesia and USAID Washington TB team.