Country: Malawi
Closing date: 29 Sep 2017
Position Title: Technical Advisor (TA)/Project Manager (PM) MDR-TB Program (TA/PM-MDR)
Reports to: NTP Manager
Location: NTP CHSU, Malawi
This position is contingent upon funding being awarded.
Organizational Profile:
Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change.
PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world.
Job Description Overview:
PIH under TB Care II project through USAID has the mandate to support countries to introduce Short Course Drug Resistant TB Therapy and New Anti-TB Medications (STR and ND) for Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). URC is the prime recipient of this grant and URC and PIH have a cooperative agreement to implement this grant. Called PIH- STRONG, this is a three-year grant currently being implemented in four PIH sites (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Haiti, and Kazakhstan), now with expansion to another three sites (Malawi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia) with a tentatively beginning in October 2017.
PIH STRONG Malawi will have a two-pronged approach to improve the MDR outcomes in Malawi: 1) National Level technical expertise for program strategy, design, and oversight through technical support, with a focus on MDR guidelines for national rollout STR and ND in 2018; 2) Local innovation hub and proof of concept in Neno District through clinical expertise, mentorship, HR development, infrastructure development, operational research, and Community Health Workers.
This position will be an experienced expert in MDR TB programming, guidelines, and M&E to support the National TB Program in developing and supporting PMDT including the national rollout of STR guidelines and trainings, implementing pharmacovigilance strategies and oversight, and developing corresponding M&E plans. A successful engagement in this role is expected to make a strong contribution toward building the capacity of the National TB Program within the MOH and give it momentum to operationalize strategies that will impact the burden of disease in Malawi in a way that continues well after the end of the assignment. The successful candidate should be prepared to frequently travel to remote places as per request by NTP as well as be willing to stay in remote and rural sites if the need arises.
Responsibilities and Duties:
With strategic guidance from NTP and with technical support from PIH, the Technical Assistant will not only build capacity within the National TB Program, but also work directly on the following objectives:
- Manage and steer the PIH STRONG Malawi three-year project including working with PIH Malawi (AZPU) and National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTCP) to develop work plans and budgets, implementation, monitoring, and reporting
- Network and coordinate closely with implementing partners, institutions, NGOs and other stakeholders involved in MDR-TB program as well as with various ongoing in-country programs of AZPU at district, zonal, and national levels.
- Provide technical assistance to NTP in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of MDR-TB, active TB drug-safety monitoring, and management (aDSM), improve Pharmacovigilance (PV) for Shorter TB Regimen and New Drugs and other technical areas related to MDR-TB.
- Specifically, support NTP to strengthen the existing MDR-TB program including the national rollout SRT and ND in 2018, strengthen/establish national/ zonal PV committee, robust M&E plans, capacity building on MDR-TB management through training and mentorship at the health facility and district level
- Contribute to the development of the MDR-TB and TB portfolio of AZPU by working on proposals, grants, and other development opportunities as they arise. S/he contributes the implementation of WHO recommended protocols on community-based DR-TB management and establishment of COE on community-based DR-TB management in Neno and research efforts embedded within 2nd and 3rd years of the project including operational research, or clinical trials for new protocols
- Facilitate learning and sharing of best practices from districts performing well in MDR-TB programming
- Mentor and build capacity within NTP and district level in MDR-TB management with clear deliverables
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- MD Doctorate Degree or its equivalent, accompanied by Masters or Ph.D. or equivalent work experience desirable
- Proven experience in African settings, supporting strategic or operational planning, including assisting in stakeholder management
- Minimum 5 years clinical experience in MDR-TB management, including project management experience, human resource management, Monitoring & Evaluation, budget management
- Expertise in at least one specialty area of MDR-TB like programmatic management of MDR-TB, the introduction of STR and ND, drug-safety monitoring and administration (aDSM), and pharmacovigilance is highly desired.
- Interest in knowledge sharing, scientific exchange, and data management
- Training and mentorship experience. Strong intercultural sensitivity and communication skills
- Ability to assume responsibilities and to work within a team.
- Effective, Articulate and Clear professional communication skills.
- Excellent English communication skills (written and oral)
- Mastery of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; ability to teach others
- Flexibility, responsive to changing needs in the Ministry. Ability to work well with multiple stakeholders
How to apply:
Apply on our Career Site! Please include a Cover Letter and Resume or CV.