Zanzibar Malaria Associate

The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI – formerly the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative) was established in 2002 to increase access to care and treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS and to strengthen health systems in resource-poor countries. Over the past few years, CHAI has expanded the scope to include access to high-quality treatment for malaria, new vaccines and essential treatments for common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia. CHAI has also increasingly supported governments build the capacity required for high-quality care and treatment programs. Currently, CHAI partners with governments in more than 25 countries while more than 70 countries directly benefit from the low-priced drugs and diagnostic test agreements that CHAI has negotiated.

This role will focus on CHAI's malaria program in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Following the scale-up of effective malaria prevention and treatment measures, Zanzibar has undergone a dramatic decrease in malaria endemicity with prevalence of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum estimated at below 1% in 2011, a rate still observed today. Zanzibar is currently strengthening its control measures in order to reach the malaria ‘pre-elimination’ phase, including increasing access to diagnosis and effective malaria treatment. Malaria diagnosis and treatment is widely available in the public sector and Zanzibar is working to close gaps in the private sector.

Over the past few years, CHAI has provided support to the Zanzibar Malaria Elimination Program (ZAMEP) through the implementation of the Affordable Medicines Facility – malaria (AMFm) program, which aimed to increase the availability and affordability of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. More recently, the dramatic reduction in the malaria burden has highlighted the need to improve case management by targeting malaria treatments to patients with confirmed infection. In order to support and optimize the scale-up of diagnostics, since 2011 CHAI has supported ZAMEP on an operational research (OR) project to assess the feasibility of introducing low-cost malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) into the private health sector. Following the OR project, CHAI helped to establish the Private Sector Partnership Working Group (PSP WG) to address issues related to malaria care in private health outlets. CHAI worked with the group to develop a strategy for malaria case management in the private sector.

In 2014/15, Zanzibar will have an opportunity to apply for Global Fund resources (the primary donor for malaria funding), including resources to cover treatment in the private sector. Using the recently-developed private sector case management strategy as a launching point, the Associate will work with ZAMEP to analyze the funding required to execute this strategy and write a concept note to apply to the Global Fund for the necessary funding.

CHAI is seeking a Malaria Associate to be based in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The Associate will maintain strong relationships with ZAMEP and relevant country partners and provide effective day-to-day operational support to governmental malaria programs. S/he will work ZAMEP to help design evidence-based strategic plans and support execution of high-impact programs designed to sustainably eliminate malaria from Zanzibar. The position requires a highly motivated individual with outstanding analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills. The candidate must be able to work independently to drive implementation, have deep personal commitment to producing results, and be patient and optimistic despite challenging circumstances. Past experience with malaria programs, while helpful, is not necessarily required as the Associate will work closely with CHAI's technical teams, but successful candidates should be fast learners and be able to think logically and strategically.

The Malaria Program Associate will report to the CHAI Tanzania Malaria Program Manager (based in Dar es Salaam).

Job Requirements

• Provide technical support to ZAMEP on their concept note & application to the Global Fund’s New Funding Model, so that ZAMEP can access and optimize limited resources to achieve the goals set out in their malaria strategy. This technical support will include forecasting commodity needs, writing a concept note, etc.
• Liaise with the Zanzibar government, international and in-country partners, and the private sector to ensure policy translation of Operational Research results for Zanzibar’s case management strategy
• Work with ZAMEP and the PSP WG to finalize the private sector strategy and develop an actionable plan to implement activities and achieve its objectives, including:
• Increasing access to malaria testing in hard-to-reach areas
• Designing and implementing additional regulatory controls for ACTs
• Evaluating the possible introduction of new malaria diagnostic tests
• Improving surveillance and case tracking in private health facilities
• Conduct other activities as necessary to ensure private facilities are in line with Zanzibar’s “test, track and treat” policy and strategy
• Continue to engage the PSP WG to monitor progress against these objectives and address new issues and strategies
• Provide support to ZAMEP and other partners in planning and implementing their private sector malaria case management strategy to – 1) Identify approaches to maximize available funding, 2) Outline critical supporting interventions, drawing from undisbursed funds and unallocated resources
• Provide robust data management and analytical support to inform key government decisions
• Assist in development of a financial sustainability plan for malaria diagnosis and treatment initiatives in the private sector to ensure the government has the ability to continue to increase access and use
• Manage a program budget and provide updates for donor reports
• Draft presentations and reports for internal stakeholders and donors
• Serve as a trusted adviser to the government on malaria elimination
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s Degree preferred (either in Public Health or Business Administration)
• At least 3 years of experience in a demanding, results-based environment, particularly in the private sector (e.g. strategy consulting, pharmaceuticals, etc.); at an innovative, fast-paced NGO; or in a public sector advisory position.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate complex government processes with multiple influencers and to achieve consensus
• Exceptionally strong quantitative skills, including fluency in Excel and ability to structure analyses to aid countries prioritize limited resources.
• Ability to think strategically, handle ambiguity and work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities and work independently
• Ability to learn on the job quickly and absorb/synthesize a broad range of information
• Ability to work within limited budgets and human resources
• Strong work ethic and flexibility
• Ability to create compelling, logical presentations and reports, using PowerPoint, Word and other media
• A strong passion for producing results and a personal commitment to excellence

Advantages:

• Program management experience including managing teams, creating and tracking work plans, and monitoring programs
• Experience working in management consulting, pharmaceuticals, finance or a similarly quantitative/analytical capacity
• Experience working in Africa and/or developing countries
• Experience working in public health, malaria and/or other infectious diseases
• Working knowledge of Swahili
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