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 Childhood 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

Support NTP in effective delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) and service delivery through utilization of domestic and donors’ (e.g. the GF) resources.

• Assist the NTP and MOH with effective delivery of LHA TB services for children and adolescents, including but not limited to active case finding, screening, diagnostics, treatment and prevention.
• Assist the NTP with the planning and implementation of systematic TB screening at facilities and community sites; and appropriate active case-finding strategies among children and adolescents
• Assist the NTP to develop a  comprehensive approach for pediatric TB diagnosis, including clinical assessment, radiological assessment, and use of other diagnostics as available. Aid in the scaling up of new diagnostic and laboratory techniques, such as chest X-ray with computer-aided detection (CXR/CAD), and drug susceptibility testing (DST).
• Provide technical support with implementation of programmatic and clinical interventions at national and sub-national levels.
• Provide support to ensure the availability of child-friendly formulations of TB medicines for children.
• Assist the NTP to scale up TPT regimens for children at risk

Support NTP in the adoption and rapid uptake of best policies and practices in Childhood and adolescent TB management.

• Support MOH and NTP in development, adoption and rapid uptake of new policies and guidelines based on latest scientific evidence.
• Support NTP in scaling up of new diagnostic and laboratory techniques such as CXR/CAD, whole and targeted genotyping.
• Support NTP with expansion of DST coverage in the country and ongoing investigations of resistance to new and repurposed drugs, including bedaquiline.
• Assist NTP in expanding the programmatic use of new drugs and regimens.
• Through collaboration with NTP and partners, identify programmatic gaps which may require additional technical support.
• Develop, as lead author, or co-author of manuscripts and peer-reviewed publications.

REPORTING:

The Childhood TB Advisor will report to and receive technical direction from the NTLP Manager and will work in close collaboration with US DoS/Zambia and US DoS/Washington TB team. S/he will operate from the NTP central office in Lusaka and coordinate out of office site visits and any long-term off-site presence with the NTLP manager and DoS/Zambia. The Childhood TB Advisor will provide a monthly summary of all activities undertaken on the last day of each month to the NTLP manager and DoS TB focal points and meet with DoS/Zambia on a quarterly basis to review activities and priorities.

Qualifications 

• Medical degree required (e.g., MBChB, MBBS, MD, or equivalent)
• Masters Level  Preferred-Master of Medicine (Paediatric, Infectious diseases or other related disciplines), Master of Public Health.
• Over 7 years of experience in infectious diseases control, particularly childhood TB and HIV
• Demonstrated technical leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Understanding of USG rules and regulations preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of local 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 is a must.
• 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 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.