Senior Malaria Technical Advisor (Proposal) – Uganda

The international division of Medical Care Development, MCDI, was founded in 1977 with the belief that MCD’s successful approach to health systems development in the rural United States could be adapted to meet the needs of developing nations. A global non-profit organization, MCDI uses practical, evidence-based and high-impact approaches to strengthen health systems in developing countries. For almost 40 years, MCDI has worked to improve the health of vulnerable populations overseas through integrated, sustainable and locally-driven interventions. MCDI has implemented public health programs in over 40 countries aimed at targeting the world’s most vulnerable populations. MCDI collaborates with donors, national governments, the private sector, health agencies, communities and local stakeholders to improve health and save lives in the following areas: malaria prevention and control; maternal, neonatal and child health; water, sanitation and hygiene; tuberculosis; HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases; health systems strengthening.

MCDI is currently seeking a Senior Malaria Technical Advisor for the anticipated USAID-funded PMI Malaria Control Project in Uganda. The primary objective of this anticipated contract is to strengthen the capacity for malaria prevention and treatment, as well as ownership of health at the community and household levels, while maintaining gains made at the health facility level in focus districts. This activity will also seek to improve private sector engagement and surveillance, and strengthen the existing linkages between community health services/community-level leadership and facilities/District Health Teams to increase the ability to prevent, detect, and treat malaria in households.

The Senior Malaria Technical Advisor, reporting to the Chief of Party, will provide technical leadership in all aspects of malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment interventions to be supported under the project.

This position is contingent upon donor funding.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide technical leadership and oversight to strengthen integrated malaria service delivery in both the public and private sector;

• Ensure the quality of processes and results of malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment activities;

• Provide technical guidance and quality control to the malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment staff in the implementation and monitoring of program activities;

• Lead the design and implementation of malaria prevention and case management interventions ensuring they are realistic, appropriate, effective both in cost and impact, and aligned with donor and stakeholder expectations;

• Adapt and apply tools, national standards and guidelines and best practices to improve service delivery;

• Strengthen community and facility level technical capacity to deliver malaria prevention and case management services, including the capacity to replicate, sustain and bring to scale successful activities;

• Lead the technical assistance effort that will be provided to the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) on malaria prevention and case management to include review and update of case management strategy, protocols and guidelines; development of case management training curriculum; strengthening quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) protocols for malaria case management, among others;

• Support the design and implementation of assessments to identify gaps, measure impact and track performance of interventions;

• Support the development and tracking of relevant performance indicators;

• Support the development and implementation of annual project work plans and budgets with the project leadership team;

• Contribute to regular and ad hoc project reporting and the development of project deliverables.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Requirements:

• Advanced degree in public health, infectious disease, or other related biological science; clinical degree (MD, RN, etc.) preferred;

• A minimum of 10 years of experience implementing health programs in developing and transitioning countries, with at least 5 years of field experience in malaria prevention and case management programs;

• In-depth knowledge of malaria and public health principles and practices, particularly in the area of malaria prevention and case management, program coordination and sound negotiation skills;

• Demonstrated experience working effectively with program staff, implementing partners, civil society organizations, community leaders and local government authorities to strengthen community and facility based malaria services;

• Demonstrated ability in coaching, mentoring and supportive supervision for quality improvement;

• Good interpersonal skills, team player and makes her/himself available as needed;

• Excellent management and interpersonal skills;

• Familiarity with USAID and PMI systems, guidelines and regulations;

• Professional fluency in English required;

• Very proficient in the use of the standard Microsoft Office package with particular experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet Explorer;

• Preference will be given to qualified national Ugandan candidates.

Location: Kampala, Uganda

Position Type: Full-time