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 DR TB Advisor will support the National TB Program of Zambia in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. 

Responsibilities

• Build the capacity of existing Drug-Resistant (DR) TB sites through mentorship, cohort monitoring, quality improvement tools, and enhanced supervisory arrangements to improve the consistency and quality of clinical practice in PMDT.
• Plan and support the expansion of DR TB diagnosis and treatment services to additional treatment sites.
• Review policy options for new regimens by staying current on global updates for New Drug (ND) Shortened Treatment Regimen (STR) to facilitate early adoption of international guidelines by NTLP.
• Support the rollout of STR and new drugs and regimens (ND&R) for drug-resistant TB.
• Analyze drivers of loss to follow-up, mortality, and other poor outcomes; initiate corrective actions in collaboration with NTLP.
• Ensure all DR-TB treatment sites actively report adverse effects.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to treatment and follow-up sites.
• Collaborate with NTP to guide national adoption and scale-up of a customized DR-TB comprehensive package.
• Support NTP in accelerating PMDT activities funded by the Global Fund.
• Assist in implementing TB drug-safety monitoring and management (aDSM).
• Strengthen NTP’s oversight of a coordinated PMDT program via ambulatory care nationwide, with standardized reporting, recording tools, and SOPs.
• Coordinate with NTP, Global Fund, and Ministry of Social Welfare to link MDR-TB patients with nutrition, cash, psychosocial support, and other benefits.
• Provide regular updates on PMDT progress to NTP and US DoS, including monthly technical progress reports.

REPORTING:

The Drug-Resistant TB Technical Advisor will submit monthly reports to the U.S. Department of State/USAID by the 1st of the following month. Reporting to and receiving technical guidance from the NTLP Manager, the Advisor will work closely with US DoS/Zambia and US DoS/Washington TB teams. Based at the NTLP office in Lusaka, the Advisor will coordinate site visits and any extended off-site work with the NTLP Manager and DoS/Zambia. A monthly activity summary will be submitted to the NTLP Manager and DoS TB focal points on the last day of each month, with quarterly meetings held with DoS/Zambia to review progress and priorities.

Qualifications 

• Medical degree required (e.g., MBChB, MBBS, MD, or equivalent).
• Master’s degree preferred: Master of Medicine (Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Infectious Diseases, or related fields) or Master of Public Health.
• Minimum of 5 years relevant technical experience in designing, implementing, and managing TB and PMDT programs in developing countries with a master’s degree; or a minimum of 10 years relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, and problem-solving skills
• At least five years of experience with or good knowledge of Global Fund operating procedures and financial management processes (proposal development and submission, monitoring and evaluation, PSM plan and reporting).
• Understanding of USG rules and regulations preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of MoH and USG personnel and partners and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration. 
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters.
• 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. Verbal communication skills are also used to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members. 
• Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.
• Good computer skills are required to implement, analyse, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements.
• Experience in teaching/training and capacity building.
• Experience working with the key stakeholders in TB program, preferably the national stakeholders and international donors.
• Zambian local nationals encouraged to apply.