The Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) is an international collaboration of over 70 countries, focusing on the enhancement of the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations. With the US’s significant backing, including a $1 billion commitment targeting 17 key countries, Tanzania is notably a recipient of this initiative. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has allocated approximately $36 million to Tanzania’s health security, emphasizing a holistic “One Health” approach. Through USAID’s support, Tanzania has been fortifying its capabilities in antimicrobial resistance, biosafety, diagnostics, surveillance, and infection prevention, positioning itself to effectively counter emerging infectious challenges.

This desk review aims to guide future activities by performing a meta-analysis of Tanzania’s Global Health Security (GHS) data. The analysis will gather evidence and distill best practices, lessons, and recommendations tailored to Tanzania’s health security needs. While primarily designed for the USAID Tanzania Health Office staff, the findings will also benefit the Government of Tanzania and other GHS partners, fostering shared insights and enhanced collaboration in the country’s health sector.

Position Description:
SI is seeking a Biosafety and Biosecurity Expert to support T-MELA with the Desk review work related to the Global Health Security Agenda. This is a consulting position with an estimated period of performance of November 2023 – April 2024. The estimated level of effort (LOE) for the Team Leader will be 47 days with expected travel of up to 2 weeks in Tanzania.

The Biosafety and Biosecurity Expert shall be an English speaker who will be instrumental in providing insights, evaluating current practices, and recommending improvements in Tanzania’s Biosafety and Biosecurity (BS&S) framework in both the Tanzanian and global health security landscapes. This role entails guiding the desk review process, interpreting complex health security data, and ensuring that the recommendations provided are pertinent and actionable. She/he will support the team through all stages of the desk review, including developing the desk review Design, managing literature search and possible primary data collection, analysis and preliminary report writing, draft desk review Report, Final Desk Review Report, and other key knowledge products. She/he will work under the guidance of the Senior Assessment and Evaluation Specialist in Tanzania and SI’s Project Director in Washington DC.

Responsibilities:
The Biosafety and Biosecurity Expert will:
• Serve as the primary source of knowledge and guidance on matters related to Biosafety and Biosecurity in Tanzania and globally.
• Offer expert knowledge on international and national Biosafety and Biosecurity (BS&S) standards, ensuring that the review reflects the best practices in the field.
• Evaluate and interpret Biosafety and Biosecurity data, identifying trends, gaps, and areas of concern.
• Collaborate closely with the project team, sharing insights and ensuring that Biosafety and Biosecurity perspectives are integrated throughout the review process.
• Review and contribute to the drafting, revision, and finalization of the project report, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and depth in the areas of Biosafety and Biosecurity.
• Provide actionable, evidence-based recommendations to enhance Biosafety and Biosecurity based on the review’s findings.
• Liaise with governmental agencies, international organizations, and other stakeholders to validate findings and gather additional insights.
• Share knowledge and insights with the evaluation team, enhancing the team’s understanding of BS&S standards and practices.

Deliverables:
With support from USAID/T-MELA and team members, the Team Lead will be expected to take overall responsibility for the production and management of the following:

Final Evaluation Design: A detailed, full evaluation design and work plan following an initial consultation with USAID that will include chosen methodologies and data collection tools.

Kick-off meeting/In brief: A PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation summarizing the Inception Report for USAID/T-MELA and key partners prior to the launch of data collection.

Findings Conclusions and Recommendations (FCR) Matrix: An analysis tool through which data is triangulated and findings, conclusions, and recommendations specific to each evaluation question are produced. Two FCR matrixes are expected, a preliminary document after the first full week of data collection, and a final matrix at the end of the data analysis period.

Preliminary Findings PPT: The team will present the key findings to the wider USAID/Tanzania Mission through a PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation. The TL is expected to update this PowerPoint after the final report.

Draft Report: A draft report with fully developed findings, conclusions, and recommendations, no longer than 30 pages excluding annexes, will be submitted to the T-MELA COP who will submit to the USAID COR for T-MELA activity. The format will include an executive summary, table of contents, methodology, findings, and recommendations. USAID/T-MELA and key local stakeholders will provide comments on the draft report.

Final Report: The team will submit a final report that incorporates responses to USAID’s/partner’s comments and suggestions. The report will be submitted electronically in English. The report will be disseminated within USAID and key stakeholders.

Qualifications and Skills:
The Biosafety and Biosecurity expert must have/hold:
• Master’s degree or higher in microbiology, biochemistry, public health, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in Biosafety and Biosecurity, with a documented track record of working on related projects or initiatives. Previous involvement in Biosafety and Biosecurity projects in Tanzania or East Africa will be an added advantage.
• Deep understanding of the Biosafety and Biosecurity landscape in Tanzania, familiarity with global Biosafety and Biosecurity trends, and knowledge of frameworks like the Biosafety and Biosecurity Agenda.
• Proficiency in analyzing complex Biosafety and Biosecurity data and drawing meaningful conclusions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with proficiency in English.
• Established relationships with health security authorities, organizations, and professionals, both in Tanzania and internationally.
• Experience working with international health organizations such as WHO, CDC, or USAID.
• Publications or research in the field of Biosafety and Biosecurity will be an added advantage.