Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

The Director is responsible for the overall success of the Polio Eradication Surge Capacity Support program by providing leadership, technical expertise, and oversight in the areas of program development and implementation, staff recruitment, financial management, and collaboration with external Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Gates Foundation (GF), and Rotary International. This position reports to the Director, Center for Vaccine Excellence at the Task Force for Global Health and is located at the Task Force for Global Health in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Provides leadership to the Polio Eradication Surge Capacity Support program by providing technical expertise and oversight in the areas of program development, implementation, and strategy, staff recruitment and management, program budget oversight, and collaboration with external Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners. The Director interacts closely with the CDC Polio Team, sets up and runs internal team meetings, identifies contractors and technical resources to accomplish project deliverables, drafts and monitors contracts, tracks program effectiveness and progress, and provides regular reports to the CVE Director, Deputy Director, and GPEI partners.

The Polio Eradication Surge Capacity Support Team within the Center for Vaccine Excellence at the Task Force for Global Health is a quickly deployable team of senior epidemiologists with expertise in outbreak response surveillance and management, particularly in challenging areas. In collaboration with GPEI partners and other international agencies in support of Ministries of Health, the team works to improve surveillance, lead preparedness planning, and coordinate outbreak response activities during polio outbreaks in high-risk countries. The Atlanta-based team is deployed on field assignments 60-80% of the time, working closely with field-based contractors in-country.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Oversee Polio Surge Program strategic vision and fundraising.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight for polio outbreak and surveillance activities needed to fill vital gaps in the global outbreak response. 
• Improve surveillance, lead preparedness, and coordinate outbreak response activities in outbreak and high-risk countries, in collaboration with Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners and other international agencies to support Ministries of Health. 
• Develop and implement plans to provide surge capacity to deploy quickly to challenging areas to address and enhance outbreak response and assure maintenance of effective surveillance capacity.
• Develop comprehensive solutions to fill identified gaps, i.e., assemble a reliable local team that can ensure continuity in the implementation and monitoring of country-level outbreak and surveillance plans.
• Collaborate closely with CDC, WHO, Ministries of Health (MoH), and GPEI partners to develop outbreak preparedness and response plans to overcome challenges toward polio eradication.
• Collaborate with GPEI partners and the MoH to implement surveillance strengthening strategies and initiatives, as well as to develop plans if unavailable.

Leadership and Management:

• Develop and implement the Polio Eradication Surge Capacity Support program.
• Collaborate closely with and provide leadership to the Project Manager to ensure alignment and successful execution of initiatives.
• Lead Sr. Epidemiologists on the Polio Eradication Surge Capacity Support team.
• Recruit and manage contractors with requisite experience for structured, long-term deployments working closely with local field-based staff (in-country).
• Provide input and guidance into the staffing process; actively participates in staff recruitment, development, and retention activities. 
• Builds collaborative relationships with the CDC Polio Team and GPEI partners.
• Promotes and maintains effective communication and good relations within the organization and with partner organizations.
• Conducts advocacy at the international, regional, and national levels to help ensure that adequate resources are available to achieve the objectives of the program.
• Oversees and develops 5-year strategic plans

Program Management:

• Partners with the CVE Deputy Director and the Project Manager on the financial management of the program.
• Provides technical and policy advice to CDC regarding program activities and institutional relationships with international partners.
• Meets regularly with the CVE Director and CDC Polio Team and keeps them apprised of program progress and critical issues.

Other Responsibilities:

• The Director will participate in Task Force meetings and initiatives, including but not limited to CVE team meetings, Task Force Program Director’s meetings, and Task Force annual planning and budgeting discussions.
• Participates fully as a senior member of the Task Force for Global Health by contributing, assisting, and participating in projects, activities, and initiatives as requested by management.
• Participate fully as a member of the Task Force for Global Health by contributing, assisting, and participating in projects, activities, and initiatives as requested by management.

TRAVEL: up to 50% of international travel

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• MD or PhD in a related field. 
• 10 years of experience in strategic planning, program development, program management, and advocacy for international health programs at the senior level.

• Able to work in the US and abroad.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Demonstrated ability to effectively develop a global public health program and facilitate successful implementation.
• Proven management and organizational skills, including experience leading, building, and successfully managing a team.
• Direct field experience working in polio eradication and outbreak response, vaccines, and disease surveillance within the international development arena.
• Experience working with governments of polio non-endemic countries (presently Somalia, Kenya, DRC, Syria, Egypt, South Sudan, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Lake Chad Basin countries (Chad, Cameroon, Niger).
• Experience working with UN agencies such as WHO and UNICEF; with national health agencies such as CDC; with foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal English skills.

NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs.  Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

Emory University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at 404-727-9877 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.