Senior Malaria Elimination Officer

Jhpiego - John Hopkins University

Banjul, Gambia

Overview

Jhpiego seeks a Malaria Elimination Specialist for the anticipated USAID Gambia Malaria Elimination Activity (GMEA). GMEA, a five-year, $13 million project, will provide support to the Gambia Ministry of Health (MoH) through the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) to accelerate progress towards achieving malaria elimination in The Gambia. The GMEA Activity will provide implementation support and technical assistance on malaria case-based surveillance and response for elimination, support enhanced cross-border collaboration between The Gambia and Senegal particularly focused on data sharing and coordination of interventions, and strengthen the NMCP’s capacity to coordinate, manage and sustain malaria elimination and control approaches. Additionally, GMEA will optimize delivery of malaria services through community-based approaches to address remaining gaps in intervention coverage or quality for achieving elimination.

The Malaria Elimination Specialist will have the overall responsibility for managing day-to-day work in the North Bank Region. This includes ensuring effective organizational management and communication with other projects, county level stakeholders, and Regional Health Directorates (RHDs). S/he will ensure timely project implementation at the regional level and reporting of activities.

This position is contingent upon donor award and is for Gambian nationals only.

Responsibilities

To represent the GMEA at the regional level at all coordination meetings.
With direction from the Senior Malaria Control and Elimination Advisor, will ensure effective coordination with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Regional Health Directorates (RHDs) and other implementing partners, to improve the management and sharing of information and alignment of GMEA activities with regional priorities
Provide technical and other support, within the scope of the project, to the RHDs to strengthen their planning, oversight, monitoring and evaluation capacities;
Support the ADWAC Program Manager and team in resolving constraints and problems;
Lead the development of Quarterly and Monthly Plans Activity in close collaboration with other implementing partners and RHDs;
Provide oversight for the execution of day-to-day activities of the project, as well as active monitoring of the implementation of action plans;
Provide regular updates on the implementation of activities, identify challenges in a timely manner, and provide solutions / recommendations;
Support preparation of periodic project reports to donor
Work with finance and project staff to develop and track project budgets
Work with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) staff to: a) generate and document data; b) conduct data analysis; c) document results to guide future implementation; and d) any necessary course corrections.
Other duties as assigned from time to time.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, or related fields, nursing or medical degree preferred;
Minimum of 6+ years of experience in program management in The Gambia
Proven experience in the management and monitoring programs
Demonstrate familiarity with the NMCP and the main interventions for malaria elimination in The Gambia
Previous experience working in The Gambia, with intimate understanding of local health system and health systems strengthening, malaria prevention, care and treatment, and maternal, neonatal and child health care gaps and opportunities, and solid relationships at government agencies
Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
Excellent interpersonal skills, communication and teamwork.
Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple projects/tasks, short deadlines, competing deadlines and intense pressure to perform
Awareness of, sensitivity to, and experience in working in multiple socio-economic settings and with multi-cultural staff and groups
Ability to develop productive working relationships with counterparts in other agencies and organizations nationally
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Fluent in written and spoken English