Malaria Diagnostic Specialist
National Health Laboratory Quality Assurance and Training Centre Medical Care Development International (MCDI) is an international NGO with over 30 years' experience in health development projects primarily in Africa. MCDI seeks a Malaria Diagnostic Specialist to assist with the implementation of a national program for quality assurance (QA)/quality improvement (QI) focused on improving malaria case management. The immediate role will be to coordinate the roll- out and training of a national system of malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) QA in coordination with the National Health Laboratory Quality Assurance and Training Centre (NHL-QATC). This project will work to improve malaria testing and treatment by implementing a program of diagnostics training and health facility on-site supervision. Additional responsibilities will include project monitoring & evaluation and staff management. The scope of this program will encompass most of mainland Tanzania and require 30% in-country travel. This person will report to the Tanzania in-country Project Manager and liaise with the MalariaCare team based in the U.S.
Specific duties include the following: Job Responsibilities:
- Provide technical and logistical support to the NHL-QATC.
- Provide technical leadership on malaria programming to the MalariaCare Tanzania Team, with focus on malaria diagnostics (both microscopy and mRDT).
- Provide technical assistance to policy development/review, planning, training and supervision activities.
- Coordinate and facilitate trainings for health staff on mRDT use and quality assurance at all levels of the health care provision, including overseeing basic data processing.
- Orient and train supervisors on external and internal quality assurance methods to support malaria diagnostics (microscopy and mRDTs).
- Oversee and coordinate routine supportive supervision and on-site training to support mRDTs with the MOH.
- Assist with the roll-out of quality improvements based on assessment findings.
- Establish linkages with all relevant stakeholders and other implementing partners and collaborate as necessary to facilitate effective and efficient implementation of MalariaCare activities.
- Participate in the preparation of annual country work plans and regional and district plans.
- Participate in periodic field (diagnostic, clinical care, and M&E) activities in the provinces and districts.
- Communicate regularly with Program Manager and MalariaCare team based in USA.
- Provide frequent updates – both written and oral – to project headquarters.
Required Skills:
- Experience and knowledge in malaria prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control.
- Ability to deliver training in malaria diagnostics (mRDTs and microscopy)
- Good interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
- Fluency and excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Swahili
- Willingness to work in hard-to-reach areas with frequent travel as necessary.
- Experience with basic database management and Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Capacity building, training and mentoring skills highly desired.
- Prior working relationship and/or knowledge of the NHL-QATC highly desired.
- Prior experience working on USAID or other donor funded projects a plus.
Interested candidates should send to Ms. Suzanne Restrepo at malariacarejobs@mcd.org. Please attach the following:
- Updated CV
- Two-page statement including relevant qualifications and experience aligned with the requirements
- Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed.
