Prevention Advisor at HFI 360

Overview

The Prevention Advisor will support the implementation of prevention-focused technical assistance under the U.S. Department of State funded Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project. This work contributes directly to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and national efforts to strengthen Health Regulation capacities. The Prevention Advisor will lead and coordinate interventions in Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Points of Entry (POE), and other prevention-related technical areas. The role will support national authorities including the Ministry of Health and multisectoral One Health partners to strengthen systems for early preparedness, detection, and response to priority infectious diseases and to improve national Joint External Evaluation (JEE) indicators.

Position Summary

Based in Bujumbura with travel to other regions, the Prevention Advisor will work closely with government counterparts, national and subnational health actors, international partners, and project staff to implement prevention strategies outlined in the approved workplan. The role involves providing technical leadership, capacity building, and coordination to advance national priorities in RCCE, IPC, POE, and other prevention domains.

Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE)

• Provide technical assistance to strengthen national and subnational RCCE systems aligned with health regulations, JEE, and GHSA guidance.
• Support the development, revision, and dissemination of RCCE strategies, SOPs, operational plans, and communication guidelines for priority diseases.
• Coordinate and facilitate community engagement activities, including rumor tracking, infodemic management, public communication, and community feedback mechanisms.
• Assist in designing and implementing RCCE training, simulation exercises, and capacity-building programs for government and community partners.
• Support the development of RCCE communication materials, messaging, media engagement tools, and response communication protocols.
• Document challenges, lessons learned, success stories, and best practices for program improvement and accountability.

Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)

• Provide technical guidance to improve IPC programs at facility, district, and national levels.
• Support national stakeholders in updating IPC policies, guidelines, and facility-level SOPs for priority pathogens.
• Conduct IPC assessments, mentorship, supportive supervision, and follow-up at health facilities.
• Strengthen surveillance of healthcare-associated infections and support quality improvement initiatives.
• Oversee IPC surveillance activities to detect and prevent healthcare-associated infections
• Investigate infection outbreaks, identify sources, and activate containment measures.
• Offer technical supervision in key areas such as water/sanitation, waste management, vector control, and sterilization processes.

Points of Entry (POE)

• Assess capacities and coordinate with national systems to align with health surveillance and emergency preparedness.
• Support the enhancement of POE surveillance, screening procedures, and public health protocols in alignment with IHR requirements.
• Assist national authorities with developing or strengthening POE SOPs, emergency response plans, and cross-border coordination systems.
• Support training and capacity building for border officials, port health teams, and multisectoral stakeholders.
• Contribute to simulation exercises and after-action reviews focusing on POE public health functions.
• Ensure PoEs (airports, seaports, land crossings) maintain robust core capabilities for detection, screening, and response to public health threats, as mandated by IHR 2005.
• Coordinate with multiple sectors (e.g., border control, transport, veterinary services, customs) to harmonize health measures at PoEs.

General Prevention & Health Security Functions

• Contribute to implementing activities designed to improve JEE scores and National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) outcomes.
• Lead prevention programs spanning AMR control, biosafety/biosecurity, and zoonotic disease management under GHSA.
• Support multisectoral One Health coordination and prevention initiatives across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
• Assist in developing and updating a compendium of prevention-related tools, guidelines, and job aids.
• Support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of prevention-related interventions.
• Provide administrative, logistic, and technical support as needed for project operations.
• Contribute to annual work planning, budgeting, and donor reporting processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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