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

Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) is strengthening its digital health ecosystem, including the Public Health Surveillance and Information Management System (PHSIMS) to support integrated public health surveillance, early warning systems, and evidence-based decision-making.

With increasing volumes of sensitive public health data, there is a critical need to ensure robust data security, privacy, and governance frameworks. The Advisor will provide technical leadership to secure ZNPHI’s digital systems and data assets. 

The Public Health Data Security Advisor will provide expert technical support in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the U.S. Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives.  The primary focus of the advisor will be to provide expert technical support in strengthening public health data security, privacy, and protection mechanisms across ZNPHI and other systems within the One Health (the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health), public health data ecosystem, ensuring compliance with national and international standards.  The advisor’s focus in providing expert support will be on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats which impact public health.  The advisor will be based at the Zambia National Public Health Institute.  The specialist will receive direction from the Director of Strategic Planning and Information Management who will serve as the onsite supervisor. The specialist will also report to the US Embassy Lusaka’s Health Coordination Offices’ Senior Public Health Advisor on a weekly and monthly basis.

The objectives of this role will be to assess existing data security systems and risks, develop and implement data security frameworks and policies, strengthen system-level security for PHSIMS and related data platforms, and build institutional capacity in data security and privacy.

Responsibilities

Assessment and Risk Analysis

• Conduct a comprehensive data security assessment.
• Identify vulnerabilities in:
  • Systems
  • Infrastructure
  • Data flows

Policy and Framework Development

• Develop/update:
• Data security policies.
• Data protection guidelines.
• Access control frameworks.

System Security Strengthening

Recommend and support the implementation of:

• Encryption mechanisms.
• Secure authentication systems.
• Network security controls.
• Ensure integration with PHSIMS and National Health Intelligence center data architecture.

Data Governance and Compliance

• Support development of:
  • Data classification frameworks.
  • Data access and sharing protocols.
• Ensure compliance with:
  • National laws (e.g. data protection Act).
  • International standards (e.g., ISO, GDPR principles where applicable).
  • Policies and guidelines (e.g., the digital health policy).

Capacity Building

• Train staff in:
  • Data security best practices.
  • Cybersecurity awareness.
  • Develop SOPs and user guidelines.

Monitoring and Incident Response

• Establish:
  • Data security monitoring systems.
  • Incident response protocols.
  • Support response to breaches and vulnerabilities.

Communications

• Regular conference calls with stakeholders, U.S. Embassy and GHSD Washington to review progress, discuss activities and address emerging issues.
• The Public Health Data Security Advisor should provide information and avail him/herself for calls/meetings with the State Department/U.S. Embassy as requested.
• The advisor will provide monthly reports to U.S. Embassy/ U.S. Department of State

REPORTING:

The Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. Department of State submitted by the 5^th day of the following month.  Additionally, the advisor will submit a weekly progress report to the U.S. Embassy/Department of State (and participate in weekly calls) to include a short paragraph about main successes for that week. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Computing, Data Science, ICT or related field.
• Master of Science (Advanced) degree in Information Security, Cybersecurity, Information Systems Management or related field.
• Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience in Data security cybersecurity or related.
• Experience in information management systems is an added advantage.
• Proven experience in Cybersecurity frameworks, Data protection policies, Risk assessments is desirable.
• Knowledge of Public health data systems and One Health systems.
• Familiarity with digital health tools, data management, and information systems for surveillance and reporting.
• Strong analytical, monitoring, and evaluation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to engage multisectoral donors and partners to align technical approaches and achieve program goals.
• Familiarity with US Government programming and reporting requirements is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of data security standards and tools.
• Ability to work with multi-sector stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and training skills.