Senior Technical Specialist at Malaria Consortium

Malaria Consortium is one of the world’s leading non-profit organisations specialising in the comprehensive prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable and under privileged populations. We increasingly find our work on malaria can be effectively integrated with other similar public health interventions for greater impact and therefore expanded our remit to include child health and neglected tropical disease interventions.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Technical Specialist

Location: Abuja
Grade: 9
Job Type: Fixed Term
Level: Technical
Role type: National
Department: Technical
Length of contract: July 2019 – Dec 2020

Country and Project Background
The Nigeria Country Office in Abuja, started operations in 2008, through the DFID/UKaid funded Support to National Malaria Programme, SuNMaP (2008 – 2016). The office had presence in 23 states of the country and has managed at various times, about 15 programmes and projects. It follows the mandate of the parent organization in Nigeria and has been working specifically in the following areas:

Malaria control/elimination;
Integrated community case management (iCCM) for malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea;
Nutrition; and
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Currently, the Nigeria country office manages MC programmes/projects in Sierra Leone, Chad and Burkina Faso. In January 2018, Malaria Consortium become a sub-recipient for the grant of the Global Fund (GF) to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria under the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and Catholic Relief Services as the principal recipients. The goal of the grant is to contribute towards reducing the malaria burden to pre-elimination levels and bringing malaria-related mortality to zero by 2020 in Nigeria.

This project aims to achieve seven objectives while delivering high quality malaria services in 14 states (MC implementing in 7 of the states – Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Niger, Yobe, Gombe and iCCM only in Kebbi and Niger) through improved service delivery mechanisms, demand creation and health system strengthening strategies:

To ensure at least 80% of targeted population utilizes appropriate preventive measures by 2020
To test all care-seeking persons with suspected malaria using RDT or microscopy by 2020
To treat all individuals with confirmed malaria seen in private or public facilities with effective anti-malarial drug by 2020
To provide adequate information to all Nigerians such that at least 80% of the populace habitually takes appropriate malaria preventive and treatment measures as necessary by 2020
To ensure the timely availability of appropriate antimalarial medicines and commodities required for prevention and treatment of malaria in Nigeria wherever they are needed by 2018
At least 80% of health facilities in all LGAs report routinely on malaria by 2020
To strengthen governance and coordination of all stakeholders for effective program implementation towards an “A” rating by 2018 on a standardized scorecard

Job Purpose

To work with the Senior Project Manager (SPM) and team in providing technical support and direct implementation of both health facility-based and iCCM components of the programme, covering training, routine reporting, logistic system, quality assurance (QA) and supportive supervision at the state, LGA, health facility and community levels as per the agreed performance framework targets.

Scope of Work:

The Technical Specialist (TS) will provide additional technical support working closely with the Country Technical Coordinator (CTC), to the technical team at the country office level with specific attention to follow-up on ToRs, concept notes, engagement of technical assistance (TA), TA and programme reports, tracking/follow up on technical quality of state-level activities through interphase with the STOs.
Furthermore, the TS would follow up on additional/emerging issues in the programme; e.g. technical activities at the national level especially the integration of malaria with RMNCH+N, demand creation, and oversee quality of care (QoC) processes and procedures to ensure quality assurance (QA) at the programme level.
S/he would also be involved in representation of the programme during meeting with PRs and other stakeholders.

Key Working Relationships:

The Technical Specialist working under the line-management of the Programme Director, dotted line management of the CTC and in close collaboration with the colleagues in the country office, dotted line relationship to the State Technical Officers, other GF SRs, partners and stakeholders would deliver aspects of the programme as per the specified job tasks and expected deliverables.

Key Accountabilities
Technical contributions (80%):

Support states to ensure that rollout of programme service delivery activities meet international standard of quality;
Initiate/follow-up on approval of ToRs for all activities to be carried out at the national, state, LGA, health facility and community level;
Work with the Human Resource Management towards the engagement of appropriate TA as per approved ToRs and oversee the implementation of such activities;
Work in liaison with country office team to closely monitor delivery of ToRs; obtain reports in a timely manner and ensure the proper sign-off of all submitted reports;
Provide technical support, including building their capabilities, to the state teams in the planning and implementation of all programme activities including malaria prevention (routine LLINs distribution & IPTp), case management (diagnosis and treatment), quality of care (QoC), integrated community case management (iCCM), logistics management information system (LMIS) and health management information system (HMIS);
Follow up on additional/emerging issues in the programme; e.g. integration with RMNCH, demand creation, QoC processes and procedures to ensure quality assurance (QA) at the programme level;
Ensure the GF project’s adherence to technical quality assurance processes for MC in programme planning and implementation.
Document innovation and best practices that are related to the programme.
Represent MC on malaria Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and other relevant health coordinating committees at national level as designated.

Project Management (20%):

Support collation, review and submission of routine project service delivery activity reports to Programme Director.
Support Programme Director to follow up Country Office review feedbacks on reports and other project documents.
Contribute to preparation of the quarterly Progress Update and Disbursement Request (PUDR) to the donor.
Contribute to quarterly lessons identification and learning .documentation and dissemination
Contribute to project exit strategy and ensure inclusion of relevant activities to promote sustainability within the workplan and smooth transition of the programme to government;

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

A Degree in Medicine plus a Master’s in Public Health, Health Policy, Epidemiology or another relevant specialty with at least ten years work experience, is a minimum requirement;
Previous experience working at national level with oversight for at least 3 states
Demonstrable experience working with national programmes and engaging with stakeholders at that level.
Significant experience of working in developing countries and experience with GF or GAVI funded programmes would be an added advantage;

Work-based Skills and Competencies
Essential:

Knowledge of global and country specific malaria policy and guidelines;
Knowledge of medical supplies procurement and supply chain management;
Technical knowledge and skills in control of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea;
Demonstrable report writing and presentation skills.
Excellent project management and M&E skills; and familiarity with accountability and learning
Excellent written and spoken English

Core Competencies
Delivering results:

LEVEL C – Supports others to achieve results:

Displays a positive and enthusiastic approach and is not deterred by setbacks, finding alternative ways to reach goals or targets.
Supports others to plan and deliver results
Supports others to manage and cope with setbacks

Analysis and use of information:
LEVEL B – Uses evidence to support work:

Identifies and uses various sources of evidence and feedback to support outputs
Uses evidence to evaluate policies, projects and programmes
Identifies links between events and information identifying trends, issues and risks
Ensures systems are in place to address organisation needs

Interpersonal and communications:
LEVEL C – Adapts communications effectively:

Tailors communication (content, style and medium) to diverse audiences
Communicates equally effectively at all organisational levels
Understands others’ underlying needs, concerns and motivations and communicates effectively in sensitive situations
Resolves intra-team and inter-team conflicts effectively

Collaboration and partnering:
LEVEL B – Collaborates effectively across teams:

Proactive in providing and seeking support from expert colleagues
Raises difficult issues with teams/ partners and stakeholders with a view to positive resolution
Proactive in building a rapport with a diverse range of people

Leading and motivating people:
LEVEL B – Manages own development and seeks opportunities:

Actively manages own development and performance positively
Learns lessons from successes and failures
Seeks and explores opportunities within Malaria Consortium which develop skills and expertise

Flexibility/ adaptability:
LEVEL C – Supports others to cope with pressure:

Responds positively to change, embracing and using new practices or values to accomplish goals and solve problems and supports others to do the same
Adapts team approach, goals, and methods to achieve solutions and results in dynamic situations
Sets realistic deadlines and goals for self or team

Living the values:

LEVEL B – Promotes Malaria Consortium values amongst peers:
Shows a readiness to promote Malaria Consortium’s values amongst peers
Promotes ethical and professional behaviour in line with Malaria Consortium’s values

Strategic planning and thinking and sector awareness:

LEVEL B – Is aware of others’ activities and vice versa in planning activities:
Takes account of team members and others’ workloads when planning.
Maintains awareness of impact on other parts of the organisation, keeping abreast of other’s activities, objectives, commitments and needs
Has a good understanding of the sector in which Malaria Consortium works

Salary