There are TWO positions open for Malaria Diagnostics Specialists. One is located in Dosso, the other is located in Tahoua.
Over the past 40 years, the international division of MCD Global Health (MCD) has worked to strengthen health systems through integrated, sustainable, and locally driven interventions across several public health sectors. MCD collaborates with donors, national governments, the private sector, health agencies, communities, and local stakeholders to improve health and save lives in the following areas: malaria control; maternal, neonatal, and child health; water, sanitation, and hygiene; tuberculosis; HIV/AIDS; Zika; and other communicable diseases.
MCD is currently seeking candidates to serve as a Case Management Technical Advisor for the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative Advancing Health and Malaria Services Program in Niger (PMI AHMS Niger). The purpose of the project is to increase the coverage and use of key life-saving malaria interventions in support of Niger’s National Malaria Strategic Plan and to build the human resources capacity of the National Malaria Control Program. The project will focus primarily on supporting malaria prevention and case management (diagnosis and treatment) at facility and community (through integrated community case management, iCCM) levels, malaria in pregnancy (MiP), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), monitoring and evaluation, and SBC interventions integrated into the design of malaria services to increase uptake. It will strengthen the capacity for higher quality service delivery and monitoring and evaluation and provide tools and equipment to PMI-supported health districts in Dosso and Tahoua.
Overall Job Responsibilities:
The Regional Diagnostics Specialist, based in Dosso/Tahoua and reporting to the Malaria Technical Specialist, is responsible for providing diagnostic technical assistance and capacity building to MOH staff at all levels as well as AHMS regional and district staff. The Diagnostic Specialist will work with and support the regional, district, health facility lab staff and CHWs to improve the quality of malaria diagnostics, through supportive supervision, training, mentoring, and coaching, on-site visits to clinics, labs, and provision of job aids and other tools. S/he will contribute to strengthening the National Reference Laboratory (LNR)-led malaria diagnostic QA/QC and to efforts of increasing the pool of certified lab trainers and supervisors.
Specific Responsibilities:
In coordination with the Case Management Technical Advisor, the NMCP, and under the supervision of the Malaria Technical Specialist,
- Contribute to the development, review, and update of malaria diagnostic training and supervision manuals, tools, SOPs, and/or job aids.
- Contribute to the review and update of the malaria diagnosis Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) manual and guidelines.
Work with the regional and district-level NMCP/MOH staff to:
- Continuously assess laboratory technicians, health facility staff, and CHWs on malaria diagnostics, including microscopy, RDTs, and other diagnostics methods if applicable.
- Develop and implement comprehensive and blended training and supervision plans for laboratory technicians, health facility staff, and CHWs on malaria diagnostics.
- Strengthen and continuously review the capacity and progress of regional MoH staff to conduct regular malaria diagnostics training of laboratory technicians, health facility staff, and CHWs, and regular supportive supervision visits to health facilities and CHWs, including follow-up and mentoring to address gaps.
- Contribute to setting up and implementing training of trainers and training of supervisors in malaria diagnostics.
- Provide training on stock management (test kits, reagents, and other supplies required for malaria diagnosis).
- Support the NMCP/MOH staff and the project team in capturing, monitoring, and analyzing diagnostics-related data.
For the project:
- Capture and document AHMS’ best practices on malaria diagnostics, contribute to dissemination, and work with the NMCP/MoH staff in scaling them up if applicable.
- Contribute to any malaria diagnostics-related operations research if and as required.
- Participate in all regional level meetings convened by the AHMS Regional Coordinator, and in relevant meetings at other levels, if and as required (e.g., national, district).
Job requirements
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field.
- Valid level 1 or 2 WHO certification in malaria microscopy.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in malaria diagnosis using microscopy and RDTs and related QA/QC.
- Experience in PCR or other malaria diagnosis methods is an asset.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience providing capacity-building support and TA to MOH laboratory, health facility, and/or community-level staff, in malaria diagnostics and QA/QC.
- Experiences in supportive supervision (e.g., OTSS) and malaria diagnosis training (e.g., MDRTs) are preferred.
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience with QA and QC in laboratory settings, preferably in malaria diagnostics.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in French. English proficiency and knowledge of local languages is an asset.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Capacity of working in a fast pace working environment.
- Ability to travel within and outside the region.
MCD Global Health is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity.
