US MISSION IN IRAQ IS SEEKING FDA EXPERT; HEALTH

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000399 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL APER AMED AMGT IZ SUBJECT: US MISSION IN IRAQ IS SEEKING FDA EXPERT; HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ¶1. SUMMARY: The US Mission in Iraq is currently seeking a food and drug safety expert and CFO health care administrator to fill two established ministerial capacity positions. These positions will serve as senior advisors to the Iraqi Ministry of Health (MoH) on strategic planning and implementation of food and drug safety guidelines and budget forecasting and execution. The personnel are needed immediately for a one year tour of duty. END SUMMARY. -------------- Need for Food and Drug Safety Expertise and CFO Health Care Administration -------------- ¶2. In light of recent security gains, engagement and capacity building opportunities with the Government of Iraq (GoI) have improved. This has provided new opportunities, particularly with ministries where our engagements have been limited. The Ministry of Health is a prime example. For that reason, Embassy Baghdad's current personnel complement of the Health Attache's office that includes a Health Attache, Deputy Health Attache, Senior Program Officer and two Medical Advisors shared with Multi National Forces-Iraq (MNF-I)needs to be enhanced. ¶3. The Health Attache's Office continues to focus on areas where Iraqi capacity is lacking. The most important current needs are for a food and drug safety expert and chief financial officer. ¶4. The FDA expert's key focus will be the importation of foods and medicines, establishing protocols for inspections, testing and distribution. He/she will also serve as a senior advisor to the MoH and work to de-conflict current laws in Kimadia, Iraq's existing drug procurement system. As the surge continues, it is critical that a food and drug safety expert come to Iraq to build the MoH's capacity and assist the Iraqis with food and drug safety and medicine procurement and distribution. ¶5. The Medical Financial Advisor will also report directly to the Health Attache. He/she will work directly with the Ministry of Health in developing and implementing budget forecasting and execution, strategic planning for long term financial needs of MoH and improving MoH's ability to obligate and spend its capital budget. This is a key element necessary to provide for a greater self sufficiency for GOI. ¶6. The Deputy Health Attache is expected to arrive in March. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is identifying a public health expert to coordinate health endeavors between the embassy, Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and embedded PRTS (ePRTs). This will be a 6 month TDY. Two civilian experts are being recruited for the healthcare administration and finance and emergency capacity and preparedness positions. CROCKER