Job Summary

Position: Technical Officer – Case Management & Malaria in Pregnancy [Clinician] – (1 post)

Reports To: Regional Project Manager

Work Station: Kagera

Apply By: July 14, 2023

Institute Overview

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is a leading research organization in Africa with a strong track record in developing, testing and validating innovations for health. Driven by a core strategic mandate for research, training and services, the Institute’s work now spans a wide spectrum, covering biomedical and ecological sciences, intervention studies, health-systems research, service delivery and policy translation.

Position Summary

Ifakara Health Institute seeks a Technical Officer to join the PMI | Tanzania Malaria Surveillance Activity (Shinda Malaria) team. The Officer will provide technical and programmatic support in malaria case management and malaria in pregnancy services. The Officer will ensure the technical and methodological soundness of activities at service delivery both in facility and community settings, based on sound and current scientific evidence. The Officer will work closely with the Shinda Malaria Regional Manager and the Technical Advisor, on malaria case management and malaria in pregnancy, to ensure Shinda Malaria activities are successfully implemented, monitored, and reported in all councils of Kagera. The Officer will also maintain working relationships and collaboration with project stakeholders including healthcare workers, R/CHMT members, and other partners.

The Shinda Malaria Activity is a five-year program (August 2022 – August 2027) implemented by Ifakara Health Institute, which supports the Government of Tanzania (GOT) in reducing malaria burden and in moving towards malaria elimination. The Activity is made possible by the support of the American people through the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Shinda Malaria project works with the GOT to reduce malaria burden and move towards the longterm goal of malaria elimination―while achieving USAID’s strategy to support institutional growth and capacity development for local institutions. Shinda Malaria will address the urgent healthcare needs of malaria at-risk populations, especially vulnerable pregnant women and children under five, and support Tanzania partners to grow and execute malaria programs sustainably and successfully.

The Shinda Malaria project will primarily work to support both facility- and community-based malaria activities in all councils of Kagera region, as well as making contributions to the national malaria priorities through the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP).

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide technical support in planning, implementing and monitoring malaria case management strategies and interventions.
In collaboration with RHMT, CHMTs and other project staff, implement and evaluate strategies to improve the knowledge, skills and attitudes of health providers in malaria CM and MiP services.
Build capacity of regional and district-based supervisors and service providers in malaria CM and MiP, through mentorship and periodic assessments guided by national tools.
Support the delivery of malaria case management and malaria in pregnancy services at service delivery points (facility and community levels) in line with the latest national guidelines and protocols.
Support the R/CHMT in planning, conducting and reporting Malaria Service Data Quality Improvement (MSDQI) supportive supervision of all health facilities in Kagera.
Provide technical support to the R/CHMTs and malaria service providers in management, integrity and use of malaria data for decision-making and quality improvement.
Provide technical support towards strengthening facilities for providing comprehensive quality ANC services including MiP.
Identify evidence-based practices and/or success stories related to malaria programming and facilitate their documentation and/or dissemination.
Contribute to the preparation of the project’s regular reports.
Participate and represent the project’s work at various stakeholders’ platforms including at council and regional levels.
Facilitate capacity-building activities for quality malaria service delivery including training, mentorship, meetings and workshops.
Work closely with other technical staff to facilitate community mobilization and advocacy regarding malaria services.
Attend all duties as assigned by the Supervisor and/or Project Leaders.
Qualification and Experience

Degree in Clinical Medicine or its equivalent.
A valid medical practitioner license.
At least 5 years of work experience in a public, private sector or NGO, with at least 3 years of clinical work particularly in Malaria case management.
Experience working with donor-funded projects is an added advantage.
Skills and Competencies

Ability to work in a team and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues and the host government.
Ability to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity in regional/councils and service providers in the areas of malaria case management and malaria in pregnancy.
Self-management is necessary (i.e., motivation, dealing with pressure, adaptability).
Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence.
Be cooperative, competent, hardworking, flexible and dependable.
Excellent verbal, written communications and presentation skills.
Demonstrated skills in English and Swahili, both written and oral.
High level of integrity, commitment and team working spirit.
Computer literacy, particularly in the use of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint experience.
Remuneration

An attractive and competitive remuneration package will be offered to successful candidates as per IHI salary scales.

Equal Opportunity

IHI is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit intentional biases or discrimination and harassment of any kind at the work place and during recruitment. All employment decisions are based solely on job requirements and individual qualifications, and our recruitment process is governed by the labour laws of Tanzania.