Country: Mozambique
Closing date: 25 Mar 2016
The Organization
The Elimination 8 is a SADC ministerial initiative, designed as a platform for regional collaboration towards malaria elimination within the SADC region. The eight countries which make up the E8 are Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These countries are highly interconnected by population movement as well as shared malaria ecologies, making it impossible for one country to eliminate malaria without collaboration with its neighbours. The Ministers of Health of these eight countries have therefore committed to develop this platform for joint planning and accountability. Achieving elimination involves the design and meticulous execution of advanced disease and entomological surveillance systems, establishment of capacity for quality diagnosis, and control of parasite movement through the region’s porous borders. The E8 Ministerial and Technical Committees have developed a 5-year strategic plan to develop innovative, game-changing programs that will steer the region closer to its goal of zero transmission of malaria by 2030.
The Ministerial and Technical Committees of the E8 are supported by an E8 Secretariat, which coordinates diplomatic and programmatic collaboration between the eight countries. The Secretariat is also responsible for coordinating the execution of the Strategic Plan, in partnership with the funding and technical partners of the E8. The Secretariat is in the process of establishing its operations in Windhoek, Namibia. A team of highly competent and dedicated professionals is therefore being recruited to support the mandate of the E8.
The Position
The E8 seeks a candidate with expertise in malaria vector biology or medical entomology to join this regional expert team that will advance these objectives. The E8 Vector Control Specialist will coordinate vector control and entomological surveillance activities across the eight countries and identify synergies and opportunities to harmonize as they arise. The E8 Vector Control Specialist will support the development of regional strategies, including those for insecticide resistance management (IRM), monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and others, and will provide technical assistance to NMCPs on entomological surveillance, operational research, integrated vector management (IVM), and vector control implementation. The E8 Vector Control Specialist will also be responsible for capacity building, including identifying training and fellowship opportunities for NMCPs around vector biology and control, as well as conducting national and regional trainings. Finally, the E8 Vector Control Specialist will coordinate the Vector Control Working Group (VCWG) and will be responsible for agenda-setting and facilitation of VCWG meetings in collaboration with the E8 Secretariat, tracking VCWG deliverables, and supporting implementation of VCWG recommendations.
Responsibilities
Specifically, the E8 Vector Control Specialist will:
• Serve as the E8 technical specialist on vector control and entomological surveillance, providing expert leadership and input on strategy, integrated vector management (IVM), program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and insecticide resistance management
• Identify opportunities to harmonize vector control and entomological surveillance activities across the E8 countries and facilitate information sharing on best practices
• Coordinate a landscaping assessment on vector control and entomological surveillance in the E8 countries, in collaboration with E8 national malaria control programs and technical partners
• Conduct training workshops and identify opportunities for additional trainings and fellowships to build capacity of NMCPs for operational research and implementation of entomological surveillance, vector control, and IVM
• Convene and facilitate a growing network of regional expertise on entomology in the SADC region, and establish a knowledge sharing platform for entomological surveillance and more effective integration of entomology and vector control into national and regional malaria elimination plans.
• Support the development of a regional malaria surveillance system, providing input on entomological indicators for inclusion, and support the rollout of standardized data collection tools for entomological surveillance
• Develop a vector control and entomological surveillance strategy for the E8 that unifies national strategies and establishes a strategic framework for effective and robust vector control for malaria elimination in the region
• Develop an insecticide resistance management (IRM) strategy for the E8 that draws from national IRM plans and defines a regional strategy to mitigate insecticide resistance
• Support the development of a regional M&E strategy for malaria elimination
• Support countries to improve the operational efficiencies of current interventions and provide guidance around alternative interventions as locally appropriate
• Provide guidance on operational research for vector control interventions to ensure effective implementation of current interventions and/or pilot new interventions
• Identify opportunities to pool or enter into joint contracts for procurement of vector control products, working with regional bodies e.g. SADC as relevant, and support countries with registration of new products
• Coordinate the Vector Control Working Group, including managing membership, developing meeting agendas, facilitating meetings in collaboration with the E8 Secretariat, tracking VCWG deliverables, and supporting implementation of VCWG deliverables
• Collaborate with the World Health Organization – Africa Region (AFRO) and Inter-Country Support Team (IST) and other regional and national development, NGO, and academic partners
• Provide expert guidance on entomology and vector control to the E8 Secretariat as requested
Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate will bring leadership, strategic thinking, creativity and energy to the E8 and will have:
• Doctorate-level medical entomology, vector biology, or equivalent expertise and extensive knowledge of malaria vector control
• At least 5 years field experience in malaria vector biology, surveillance, and control
• Experience implementing Integrated Vector Management (IVM) and knowledge of, and experience with, vector control tools including and beyond long lasting insecticide treated nets and indoor residual spraying
• Outstanding people skills, and ability to work with wide variety of partners
• Ability to think strategically, handle ambiguity and work in a very fast-paced, multicultural environment
• Experience in managing relationships with multiple stakeholders
• Entrepreneurial mindset; highly motivated to propose, brainstorm and implement new initiatives
• Outstanding problem-solving, managerial and analytical skills
• Excellent quantitative analysis skills, including advanced use of Excel and Stata
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills
• Detail-oriented with strong organization skills, and an overall commitment to excellence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of SADC context through experience in various SADC countries is a distinct advantage
This is a one-year full time contract position, with a possibility of renewal. The position is based in Maputo, Mozambique and requires up to 50 % regional travel.
How to apply:
To apply, email: theo@potentia.com.na