Malaria Diagnostic Specialist
National Malaria Control Programme 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 Malaria Control Programme (NMCP). 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 NMCP.
- 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 NMCP 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.
Close date: September 5, 2014
