Technical Advisor/Program Coordinator, Diagnostics

PATH is an international organization that drives transformative innovation to save lives and improve health, especially among women and children. We accelerate innovation across five platforms—vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, devices, and system and service innovations—that harness our entrepreneurial insight, scientific and public health expertise, and passion for health equity. By mobilizing partners around the world, we take innovation to scale, working alongside countries primarily in Africa and Asia to tackle their greatest health needs. Together, we deliver measurable results that disrupt the cycle of poor health.

MalariaCare, a five-year partnership led by PATH and funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), aims to scale up high-quality diagnosis and clinical case management services for malaria and other febrile illnesses. MalariaCare is a partnership between PATH, Medical Care Development International (MCDI), Population Services International (PSI), and Save the Children International (SCI). The partnership works in PMI focus and other countries in Africa and the Mekong Region to reduce the burden of malaria and other serious febrile illnesses and promote healthy communities and families.

PATH, as the lead agency of MalariaCare, seeks a Technical Advisor, Diagnostics to direct implementation of a national program for quality assurance (QA) focused on improving malaria case management. This position will be based in Bujumbura and provide strategic and technical oversight for the project. This position will report directly to the National Coordinator & Technical Advisor, Clinical Care; and technically to MalariaCare global headquarters technical team based in the U.S.

The primary responsibility for the position is to serve as the team leader for diagnostics-related activities, with a focus on improving and scaling up early and accurate diagnosis of malaria using microscopy and RDTs hence improving case management for malaria and febrile illnesses in collaboration with the Clinical Care Technical Advisor. This person’s contract management will be administered by the MalariaCare’s global headquarters management team based in the U.S.

Specific Duties

Programmatic

· Maintain close relationships with the National Reference Laboratory (INSP)

· Contribute to development, review, and revision of work plans and reports regarding diagnostic activities – including activity-based budgets; track progress against work plans; and report on achievements and lessons learned

· Represent MalariaCare in Burundi’s diagnostic technical working groups and in meetings with other donors, partners, and government officials related to diagnostics

Technical - Diagnostic

· Provide technical leadership to the MalariaCare Burundi Team on programming of diagnostic activities, with focus on malaria diagnostics, both microscopy and malaria RDT.

· Provide direct technical assistance to the National Malaria Control Program (PNILP) and the National Reference Laboratory (INSP) to strengthen the diagnostic capacity for malaria and implement a national diagnostics quality assurance for malaria diagnosis at all levels of the health system

· Provide technical assistance to diagnostic policy development and review, planning, training and supervision activities.

· In close collaboration and consultation with the M&E team, ensure effective collection of diagnostic case management data, analysis, and the development and implementation of effective follow-up activity plans

· Identify best practices, and support the introduction and scale-up of innovative technical interventions in malaria diagnostics

· Propose and carry-out program design improvements

· Responsible for quarterly and annual reporting for project diagnostic case management activities

Required Skills

· Demonstrated ability to maintain close and productive relationships with the INRSP and Ministry of Health at central and peripheral levels

· Ability to work in coordination with international and national NGOs

· Well balanced professional able to see the big picture and keep track of necessary detail

· Critical thinker with flexible and innovative problem solving skills

· Strong interpersonal skills

· Capacity building, training and mentoring skills highly desired

· Fluency and excellent written and oral communication skills in French plus working skills in English

· Strong computer skills: Experience with basic database management and Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

· Ability to travel up to 40 percent in-country

Required Experience

· Diagnostic expertise preferably with level 1 or 2 WHO accreditation

· Work experience:

o A minimum of five years of experience working in diagnostics settings with at least three years of experience in malaria control; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

o Demonstrated experience working with government and public health officials to implement quality assurance in laboratories at every level

o Demonstrated experience in capacity building, supervision, and mentoring

· Experience with USAID funded project implementation is desired

You must currently have legal authorization to work in Burundi.

PATH is dedicated to diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send your cover letter and CV to MalariaCareRecruit@path.org.

Thank you,
PATH Staffing Team