Polio Technical Advisor

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries and all U.S. states and territories. FHI 360 has worked in Indonesia for 30 years. Since 1996, we have taken a comprehensive approach to help transform the country’s health and development landscape. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of Indonesia, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Indonesia delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services—including HIV and epidemic control, health system strengthening, food security, tuberculosis, and global health security. The U.S. government’s (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USG’s GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust in a country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services. Job Summary: The Technical Advisor (TA), Polio will provide strategic and technical leadership for the STRengthening Infectious Disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity with respect to polio eradication-related surveillance, laboratory strengthening, and case detection in Indonesia. The Advisor ensures alignment of STRIDES polio activities with global guidance, national policies, Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) norms, and donor regulations, while delivering high-quality technical assistance across participating countries. They will provide technical oversight of in-country implementation, working closely with regional and country teams to ensure fidelity to STRIDES’ technical approaches, troubleshoot implementation challenges, and adapt interventions to evolving epidemiologic and operational contexts. The TA, Polio will play a central role in supporting capacity strengthening, mentoring, and technical assistance of country level teams, local partners, and government counterparts across polio surveillance, biosafety/biosecurity, laboratory operations, specimen management, data quality, and related domains, ensuring alignment with the United States Government’s global health security priorities. The TA, Polio will contribute to FHI 360’s technical thought leadership by developing tools, guidance, learning products, and public goods that strengthen STRIDES’ polio portfolio and enhances the organization’s visibility and credibility in polio eradication and infectious disease surveillance. They will represent STRIDES’ polio equities with key donors and stakeholders—including the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), UNICEF, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), national programs, and Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) technical groups—ensuring effective communication, strategic alignment, and strong positioning of STRIDES within the global polio architecture. Working closely with the STRIDES Project Director; and MEL Advisor, the TA, Polio will cascade and operationalize the Activity’s strategy and is accountable for the successful, timely, and compliant delivery of all polio-related technical components across the country-level work plan. They will collaborate across FHI 360, consortium and local partners to ensure coordinated implementation, responsive technical support, and rigorous reporting that meets or exceeds contractual, programmatic, and quality standards. Accountabilities: Technical Requirements: Works on problems of complex scope that require evaluation of variable factors. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions, with little supervision. Networks with key internal and external personnel. Provides input to senior technical leadership on national guidelines and normative policies for subject matter areas of expertise. May interpret findings and make recommendations for improvements. Performs other duties as assigned.

Project Design Implementation: Under the direction of the Indonesia Project Director, and STRIDES Technical Director – Polio, leads the creation and implementation of the technical portion of the STRIDES - Polio Activity plan at country level within the given resource and financial constraints. Supports day-to-day technical and operational activities related to the STRIDES - Polio country portfolio design and implementation. Coordinates with technical and programmatic staff members at country level to ensure that activities are performed as per contract requirements and consistent with FHI 360 policy. Lead staff members’ assignments and supervise field staff and local consultants to ensure technical quality. Provide technical direction to and/or monitor the quality of work performed by local subcontractors engaged in polio activities. Work with STRIDES Finance and Operations country teams to prepare subcontracts and budgets. Provides country-level technical leadership to all components of the STRIDES – Polio program. Contributes to country-level planning and making recommendations for STRIDES operations and implementation. Influences design and scope of STRIDES polio initiatives and programs. Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components within the STRIDES – Polio and Global Health Security programs of work at country level. Provides technical oversight and ensures high-quality implementation at country level in line with global standards and best practices and meets contractual obligations for moderately complex technical units of a functional domain, directing other professional staff members. Coordinates with other country-level technical and programmatic staff members to ensure that activities are performed as per award requirements and consistent with policy. Coordinates with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field for situations that are less routine and more unusual.

Staff Leadership and Training: May supervise team members and consultants, monitor performance, and lead professional development efforts. Develops and implements training and competency systems at the country level. Identifies strategies to address training gaps.

Activity Reporting: Reviews donor financial and technical reports specific to Polio for transmittal to HQ. Prepares and delivers presentations as requested to STRIDES donor on progress as needed. Develops Activity work plans and coordinates with sponsors and partners on activities.

Quality Assurance: Ensures technical deliverables and implementation are consistent with best practices. Proactively identifies risks or challenges to technical deliverables and creates mitigation plan. Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the effectiveness of projects and makes recommendations for enhancements. Ensures the quality of implemented technical activities and systems at all levels.

Applied Knowledge & Skills: Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for successful implementation of activities. In-depth functional knowledge around specialization and detailed knowledge of Polio eradication efforts, especially in Polio surveillance, case investigation, laboratory services, reporting and related areas. General understanding of the external environment and how it affects the industry in general and the organization, including political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences. General understanding of the organization’s structure, policies and practices, and the impact on one’s own area. Strong diagnostic, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to exchange information, present recommendations, and collaborate with colleagues and peers within the organization and possibly externally. Ability to influence others of the benefits/importance of an idea or plan of action and to gain their support or commitment. Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.

Problem Solving & Impact: Is sought out to provide advice or solutions around technical area. Is informed about current developments around technical area. Works under broad direction with considerable latitude for independent action. Specific actions are guided primarily by professional standards and expected outcomes of the project. Decisions and actions have an impact on the smooth operation and timeframes of the unit programs/projects; impact on the broader organization is generally indirect. Problems encountered are complex and may involve unprecedented circumstances; resolution requires investigation, analysis, and review of professional/organizational standards. Faulty decisions or recommendations will normally result in critical delays and modifications to projects or operations, cause substantial expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds; and jeopardize future business activity.

Supervision Given/Received: May supervise junior to mid-level staff members and/or consultants. Work is reviewed in t...