LEAP Program Description

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) – a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC and Dexis Consulting Group – is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global), a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. As of July 1, 2025, LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries.

The intervention of this project is to hire and embed technical expert advisors and subject matter experts within government entities. By directly embedding the technical expertise within the national programs, LEAP provides long-term, sustainable lifesaving support to empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios and improve coordination between the U.S. Government and the host country.

About the Position

The Senior HIV Advisor will support the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)’s HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis and other viral diseases Control Division (HIV Division) in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. The primary focus of the Advisor will be technical leadership to ensure the successful implementation of cost-effective, lifesaving direct service delivery for HIV prevention, care, and treatment.

The Senior HIV Advisor will provide expert HIV technical guidance to the HIV Division in the design, planning, monitoring, and management of in-country programs/projects/activities and in the development of Rwanda’s policies, reflecting best practices in HIV prevention and care and treatment. The jobholder will identify programmatic bottlenecks and facilitate solutions through coordinated technical expertise in support of the cooperating country’s development objectives.

The Senior HIV Advisor will be based at the HIV Division within the RBC. The Advisor will receive day-to-day direction from the HIV Division Manager, who will serve as the onsite Manager/Supervisor. The Advisor will report to the U.S. DOS on a weekly and monthly basis, as described below. The Advisor will support the RBC in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. 

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Provide expert HIV technical guidance to advance planning, implementation and monitoring of HIV prevention, care and treatment interventions.
• Support the development of national HIV guidelines, program strategies, and work
• Coordinate the design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of HIV prevention, care and treatment activities consistent with the US government’s and Rwanda’s national strategies to support HIV prevention, care, and treatment service delivery.
  • This will include but is not limited to HIV testing, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), HIV integration models, community models to support adherence and retention of People Living with HIV (PLHIV), and maintain visibility on procurement of HIV life-saving commodities.
• Together with the Rwanda partners, provide the technical and managerial expertise to Ministry of Health (MOH) district hospitals and local communities to strengthen country ownership of HIV servicey delivery and institutional capacity.
• Keep abreast of current developments and successful interventions via regular engagement with HIV experts (domestic and international) and HIV Division officials, ensuring proven strategies and interventions are integrated in national HIV programming.
• Support RBC and the HIV Division in strengthening routine program data review, analysis, and advanced data use to inform program adjustments, generate evidence through scientific publications, and ensure alignment with global HIV/AIDS reporting requirements.

Management of Program/Activity Implementation

• Ensure that S. government resources are maximized towards achievement of sustained results in HIV in line with U.S. government laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to prevent fraud, waste and abuse.
• Provide technical support to the DOS implementing partners and managerial support as needed during the planning, design and implementation phases to ensure the quality of interventions and programmatic targets are met.
• Recommend changes in strategic and/or implementation approaches, using analysis of program
• Maintain visibility on HIV commodity procurement status and related supply considerations to inform program implementation. Participate in forecasting and quantification processes to provide programmatic input on commodity needs. Monitor and elevate risks that could affect commodity availability, site readiness, or implementation timelines, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to address programmatic implications of procurement and delivery challenges.
• Provide expert advice and practical experience in helping the MoH, the HIV Division and other partners to monitor inputs, outputs and outcomes, and report on the program’s overall impact.
• If not already in existence, work with the HIV Division and other partners to develop and maintain a monitoring and evaluation plan to be implemented through existing MOH systems and existing USG supported mechanisms. Carry out monitoring and evaluation visits to implementation sites to ascertain all quantitative and qualitative data is collected properly, and programmatic quality and value for money are maintained.

Coordination of HIV Partners

• Ensure effective communication and coordination between the HIV Division, RBC, MOH and other partners related to HIV prevention, care, and treatment; Global Fund partners including other departments in the host country; donor agencies; and other stakeholders working on HIV prevention, care, and treatment in Rwanda, as appropriate.
• Ensure HIV activities are integrated into overall U.S. DOS-supported health activities and coordinate these activities with the HIV Division, RBC, MOH and other stakeholders to avoid duplication of effort and programming gaps.
• Coordinate with other partners and support efforts to address HIV service delivery gaps and help build technical and managerial capacity within the HIV Division at the national, district, and lower levels.
• Participate in and contribute to HIV-related service delivery meetings hosted by the National HIV, STIs and Hepatitis Program and

Communications

• Regular conference calls with HIV Division, RBC, partners, US Embassy and Washington to review progress, discuss activities and address emerging issues.
• The Senior HIV Advisor should provide information and avail him/herself for calls/meetings with the US Embassy as requested.
• The Advisor will provide monthly reports to the US Embassy/U.S. DOS.

Reporting:

The Senior Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. DOS, with a copy to HIV Division Manager, submitted by the 5th day of the following month. Additionally, the Advisor will submit a weekly progress report to the U.S. DOS (and participate in weekly calls) to include a short paragraph about main successes for that week. The format for reporting may be adjusted with concurrence from the Contracts Officer Representative.

Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Medicine, Epidemiology, Public Health, Biostatistics (MPH, MS, MD, or PhD), or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience working on HIV programming in low- or middle-income countries, with at least 3 years spent in Rwanda; preferably with humanitarian and development sectors, with a strong focus on HIV or other communicable diseases, preferably in a similar setting.
• Familiarity with any USG agency
• Up-to-date knowledge of global and national policies on all aspects of the management of
• Up-to-date knowledge of ongoing and emerging issues in HIV, like epidemiology, international policy, global targets, evidence development and HIV prevention, care, and treatment strategies, new drugs and new diagnostics.
• Ability to coordinate the HIV program and laboratory network for quality HIV testing services.
• Experience in teaching/training and capacity building of healthcare providers.
• Demonstrated expertise in evidence-based HIV programming, program design, and
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with host country governments, donors, implementing partners, and community-level stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of Rwandan government systems and institutions, policies, and regulatory
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in French would be an added advantage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Medical or Public Health Background: A medical degree (MD) or advanced qualification in Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related health field is preferred.
• Experience with USG-Funded HIV Programs: Demonstrated experience supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of HIV programs funded by the United States Government (USG), including familiarity with relevant programmatic priorities, performance indicators, reporting requirements, and accountability frameworks.
• Experience Providing Technical Assistance to Governments: Proven experience providing strategic and technical assistance to the Government of Rwanda or other national governments, particularly in strengthening health systems, developing and implementing policies and guidelines, improving service delivery, and building institutional capacity.
• Familiarity with Healthcare Worker Mentorship and Supervision Tools: Experience using digital or other structured tools and platforms to support healthcare worker mentorship, supportive supervision, performance monitoring, and continuous quality improvement in health service delivery.
• Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Demonstrated ability to analyze complex programmatic and epidemiological data, identify implementation gaps and root causes, develop evidence-based solutions, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for program improvement.
• Relevant Experience in African Countries: Practical technical experience in the design, implementation, monitoring, or evaluation of public health programs in African countries, preferably within national health systems and in collaboration with government institutions and development partners.
• Excellent Oral Communication Skills in Kinyarwanda: Fluency in spoken Kinyarwanda, with the ability to communicate effectively with government officials, healthcare workers, community stakeholders, and other local partners to facilitate coordination, mentorship, and implementation of program activities.