Advisor, Human Health

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title : Advisor, Human Health

Report To : STRIDES Project Director

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

Please note that applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis, so the position may be filled before the official closing date. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit their complete applications at the earliest opportunity. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in a long way by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, economic development, 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 70 countries and all US states and territories.

FHI 360 has worked in Bangladesh for more than 45 years. Since 1975, 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 Bangladesh, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Bangladesh delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services—including HIV and nutrition, tuberculosis, global health security, and economic participation.

This position is contingent upon funding from the Department of State (DOS).

Project Description:

A disease can spread from any remote village to any major city on all continents in as little as 36 hours. Increased international travel and trade, population growth and movement, greater urbanization, and insufficient attention to existing weak health systems are key drivers for the emergence of infectious diseases. 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. STRIDES aims to increase a country’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE) scores by supporting national governments to strengthen core capacities — including laboratory and surveillance systems strengthening and emergency response operations — thereby improving compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR) and overall global health security.

Position Summary:

The Human Health Advisor will serve as a senior technical lead responsible for providing strategic direction and expert guidance to strengthen human health systems across surveillance, laboratory services, outbreak preparedness, and emergency response functions. This role is critical in supporting the development and implementation of integrated public health approaches that enhance the country’s capacity to detect, assess, report, and respond effectively to infectious disease threats and other public health emergencies.

The Advisor will play a central role in strengthening both national and sub-national systems for disease surveillance, including event-based, indicator-based, and outbreak surveillance mechanisms, ensuring that these systems are responsive, data-driven, and linked to timely decision-making and action. A strong emphasis will be placed on improving the interoperability of surveillance data with laboratory information systems, emergency response structures, and broader health information platforms to promote evidence-based interventions and real-time situational awareness.

In addition, the Human Health Advisor will provide technical oversight to improve laboratory systems by supporting advancements in diagnostics, quality assurance, biosafety, biosecurity, and laboratory data integration. The position will contribute to strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms through the development and enhancement of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), checklists, and reporting tools such as Situation Reports (SitReps).

The Advisor will work in close collaboration with key government counterparts, particularly within the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and its relevant units such as IEDCR, Disease Control, MIS, and EPI, to ensure alignment with national priorities and health security frameworks. The role also requires active engagement with development partners, technical agencies, and implementing teams to promote coordinated, complementary, and non-duplicative programming that supports sustainable system strengthening.

A major responsibility of the role will be to enhance the use of data for decision-making by improving data quality, timeliness, analysis, and interpretation during both routine public health monitoring and emergency situations. The Advisor will provide technical mentorship, facilitate capacity-building initiatives, and support institutional strengthening efforts to ensure long-term sustainability of interventions.

The position demands a high level of expertise in public health systems, epidemiology, health security, and cross-sectoral collaboration, as well as a strong understanding of international frameworks such as the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and Joint External Evaluation (JEE). Through strategic leadership, technical excellence, and partnership-building, the Human Health Advisor will contribute significantly to advancing national and global health security objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• •Provide technical guidance on human health surveillance systems (event based, indicator based, and outbreak surveillance) and their linkage to response mechanisms.
• •Support strengthening of laboratory systems, including diagnostics, biosafety and biosecurity, quality management, and integration of laboratory data into surveillance and decision making platforms.
• •Advise DGHS counterparts on outbreak preparedness and response, including Rapid Response Teams, Emergency Operations Centers, and use of practical tools (SOPs, checklists, SitReps).
• •Strengthen data use for decision making, working with MIS and technical units to improve data quality, timeliness, analysis, and interpretation during routine surveillance and emergencies.
• •Support multi sectoral coordination across DGHS units and with relevant partners to ensure coherent, non duplicative implementation of STRIDES activities.
• •Contribute to planning, reporting, and documentation in line with donor and government requirements.
• •Provide technical leadership in designing and implementing capacity-building initiatives for government counterparts, healthcare professionals, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen institutional readiness and public health response systems.
• •Facilitate knowledge sharing and adoption of best practices in surveillance, laboratory management, and outbreak preparedness through workshops, technical consultations, and mentoring support.
• •Monitor emerging public health risks and trends, providing evidence-based recommendations to strengthen preparedness, prevention, and mitigation strategies.
• •Collaborate with internal program teams and external partners to ensure alignment of technical activities with project goals, national priorities, and international health standards.
• •Support the development, review, and adaptation of technical guidelines, protocols, and operational frameworks to improve effectiveness and s