Job Summary
Position: Technical Officer [MCM & MiP] (1 post) – TMSA
Reports To: Regional Project Manager
Work Station: Katavi
Apply By: October 11, 2022

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 is seeking a Technical Officer to join the PMI | Tanzania Malaria Surveillance Activity (TMSA) team. The Officer will provide technical and programmatic support in malaria case management (MCM) and malaria in pregnancy (MiP) services, with a primary focus on malaria diagnostics. Occasionally, the Officer will have to travel outside Katavi region and work in the 8 NMCP’s malaria sentinel sites where Therapeutic Efficacy Studies (TES) are being conducted. The Officer will ensure the technical and methodological soundness of malaria diagnostic activities at both facility and community levels.  The Officer will work closely with the TMSA Regional Manager and other Technical Officers, to ensure TMSA activities are successfully implemented, monitored, and reported in all councils of Katavi. The Officer will also maintain working relationships and collaboration with project stakeholders including health care workers, R/CHMT members, and other partners.

The PMI | Tanzania Malaria Surveillance 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 PMI | TMSA works with the GOT to reduce malaria burden and move towards the long-term goal of malaria elimination―while achieving USAID’s strategy to support institutional growth and capacity development for local institutions. The PMI | TMSA 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 PMI | TMSA project will primarily work to support both facility- and community-based malaria activities in all districts of Katavi region, as well as making contributions to the national malaria priorities through the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Overseeing laboratory technical activities and ensuring high-quality of project implementation in Katavi and other NMCP’s malaria sentinel sites.
• Provision of overall technical leadership and supervision on malaria diagnostic activities including quality assurance/quality control for both mRDT and Malaria microscopy.
• Provision of technical assistance to the MOH/NMCP on malaria diagnosis including training, development of training manuals and materials as well as of SOPs.
• Assist in the dissemination of the malaria case management (diagnostic and treatment) policy.
• Provide Case Management training and continued adaptation of materials for the enhanced case management (clinical and diagnostic) supervision process:
• Coordination and participation in evaluations related to improved malaria diagnostic services.
• Participating in all matters related to the development or improvement of the national laboratory policies and guidelines addressing malaria diagnostics and their utilization.
• Participating in strengthening national quality assurance structures, systems and programs for laboratory staff to support malaria diagnostic activities.
• Provide Case Management training and continued adaptation of materials for the enhanced case management (clinical and diagnostic) supervision process.

Qualification and Experience

• At least a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences and/or clinical medicine. A master’s degree in the related field will be an added advantage
• At least 5 years of professional experience in malaria, especially on diagnosis.
• Holder of WHO External Competency Assessment of Malaria Microscopy (WHO-ECAMM) is preferable.
• Experience in Project Management, especially for donor-funded projects.
• Experience in writing scientific reports, manuscripts and peer-reviewed publications.
• Proficiency in the use of the standard Microsoft Office package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

 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.
• Fluent in Swahili and English.
• Demonstrated skills in both English written and oral communication.
• 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.