Position Vacancy Announcement 2/11/2014; FY2014.QPI.IMPSPEC Improvement Specialist University Research Co., LLC Position ID: Hours: Location: Salary: FY2014.QPI.IMPSPEC Full-time Bethesda, MD Commensurate with required experience and qualifications University Research Co., LLC (URC) URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States. Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations. URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (http://www.urc-chs.com/). Division & Project Overview The Improvement Specialist will work to support two projects, the USAID Health Care Improvement (HCI) Project which ends in September 2014 and the USAID Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project which is a new five-year project of the Office of Health Systems of the USAID Global Health Bureau designed to address this challenge by improving health care in USAID-assisted countries, strengthening their health systems, and advancing the frontier of the improvement science The overall objective of USAID ASSIST is to foster improvements in a range of health care processes through the application of modern improvement methods by host country providers and managers in USAID-assisted countries. The project’s central purpose is to build the capacity of host country systems to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, clientcenteredness, safety, accessibility, and equity of the services they provide. In addition to supporting the implementation of improvement strategies, the project seeks to generate new knowledge to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of applying improvement methods in low- and middle-income countries. Roles and Responsibilities: This position is located in the Quality and Performance Institute (QPI) division of URC. The current vacancy is to support all aspects of the Health Care Improvement (HCI) project and the Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) project’s global portfolio of (http://www.usaidassist.org/). The Improvement Specialist will report to QPI senior staff and support technical support including analysis of the country data, writing quarterly review meeting (QRM) reports, assisting in the design and monitoring of research studies, and development of tools and materials for countries to routinely report on performance criteria, administrative, budget management and logistic support as outlined below. This position requires travel to countries where the work is taking place. The Improvement Specialist will participate as part of URC’s QPI team fulfilling work requirements for the HCI and ASSIST project as outlined in the below. The position responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following: 1. Provide technical support to senior improvement advisors including work planning, data analysis/processing, indicator development, report writing, documentation of meetings and conference calls, budgeting, monitoring of activity deliverables, and other tasks as assigned. 2. Liaise with field staff, HQ staff, and partner organizations and provide other support as needed by the senior technical and management staff. 3. Track and monitor project expenses, review and process monthly field reports (financial and narrative), prepare and analyze quarterly financial reports, and assist in preparing, monitoring, and realigning budgets (candidate must be very comfortable working with Excel). University Research Co., LLC 1 of 2 4. Assist in preparation of reports and project deliverables which includes editing, proofreading, and/or translating. 5. Assist in logistics and other preparations for meetings, conferences, and other presentations. Assist in data processing, including developing graphs and other presentations of data and findings. 6. Coordinate project activities with subcontractors and collaborative organizations, and prepare for meetings and presentation of project activities. 7. Track and oversee project activities while coordinating support such as consultant recruitment, hiring, processing and utilization; 8. Coordinate the administrative and financial communications with project staff in the field and headquarters in support of and liaising closely with the Directors in charge of the HCI/ASSIST global initiatives and the administrative team at HQ. 9. Provide administrative and technical work as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Required Experience & Qualifications Note: You must currently be eligible to work long term in the United States without the need for visa transfer or sponsorship.             Public health background with a minimum of a master’s degree (MPH, MHS or MSc) or related degree, or its equivalent, plus 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience. Knowledge or experience with global health is highly preferred; familiarity with HIV/AIDS, MCH and country programs preferred plus. Strong time management and organizational skills; demonstrated ability to work well independently and in teams. Track record of being able to produce work in a timely manner with flexibility when necessary to adapt to changing work conditions. Experience working with mid-to-low resource countries including data collection, analysis and report writing. Familiarity with evidence-based sources for guidelines and standards relative to HIV care (e.g., World Health Organization). Excellent writing skills and interpersonal skills. A recent unedited writing sample may be requested. Strong data collection and data analysis skills required. Experience with STATA, SPSS, Epi Info or similar statistical analysis software programs desired. Proficiency in MS Office Exposure to improvement concepts and tools helpful. Advanced speaking, reading and writing level in a foreign language is desired, and particularly French. Ability and willingness to travel for 2 to 3 weeks at a time to countries in Africa To Apply: For immediate consideration, please visit URC’s Career Opportunities page at www.urc-chs.com/careers. Please cut and paste your cover letter and upload your CV where indicated. Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAID Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well. Due to the large number of inquiries we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. No phone calls please. However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you very much for your interest. URC is an E-Verify Employer URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We value and seek diversity in our workforce. University Research Co., LLC 2 of 2