Senior Technical Officer (STO) at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary

• Catholic Relief Services (CRS) shares the National Malaria Elimination Program’s (NMEP) vision for a malaria-free Nigeria and its goal to reduce the malaria burden to pre-elimination levels and bring malaria-related mortality to zero.
• CRS will partner with the NMEP as a sub-recipient on the Global Fund Malaria New Funding Model grant for Nigeria in Ondo and Ekiti states.

CRS will support NMEP in the implementation of the following interventions:

• Vector Control - distribution of LLINs.
• Case management - diagnosis with Rapid Diagnostic Kits (RDTs, treatment with Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs); treatment for severe malaria with injectable Artesunate.
• Specific Prevention Interventions (SPI) - Intermittent Preventive Therapy in Pregnancy (IPTp).
• Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
• Health Information Systems and M&E.
• Program Management.

Primary Function

• The GF/NFM Senior Technical Officer (STO) will be responsible for planning and coordinating the various trainings that CRS is responsible for carrying out, to achieve donor targets in accordance with the work plans, approved deadlines, within the budget limitations and donor guidelines.
• The STO must ensure integration of the training and community implementation plans with the other CRS GF Malaria activities in the states, especially in view of the various activities which happen simultaneously.

Job Responsibilities
Program Management:

• Provide support to the SPM in coordinating all training activities for the GF Malaria/NFM project.
• Coordinate the training plan planning process to ensure that training activities are implemented according to the work plans, approved deadlines, and within the budget limitations
• Ensure that the CRS Zero Cash Policy is respected at the field level training events.
• Ensure the proper execution of the monitoring and evaluation plan with respect to the training activities and ensure the documentation and filing of all training reports.
• Coordinate the process of requesting for funds for organizing the trainings.
• Manage the training budgets, including tracking of financial and material resources, according to the policies and guidelines of GFATM and CRS.
• Participate in the program wide quarterly program review meetings for assigned CRS GF malaria states.
• Ensure the timely reporting of training finances and progress status to the SPM & HoU.
• Update and maintain a database of all partner staff that have been trained.
• Update and maintain a database of NMEP- approved trainers.
• Monitor the CRS partner data quality on the DHIS, flag data quality issues and follow up with the M & E team to ensure these issues are resolved.

Budget Management:

• With support from the Finance and Compliance team, work with the GF/NFM SPM in budget management, including monthly liquidation and request for advance – for assigned trainings.
• Actively participate in activities to ensure appropriate budget planning and financial reporting for all trainings.
• Review actual financial performance against the training budget, and explain variances on a regular basis.
• Actively participate in activities to ensure that CRS remains in compliance with CRS and GF donor rules and regulations for maintaining the quality of field level trainings.

Partnership Management:

• Act as primary contact/support for designated partners, including sharing new information and taking the lead on ensuring healthy relationships are maintained between partners and CRS/ NMEP/SMoH.
• Provide support to state teams as requested, including project development and facilitation of workshops.
• Supporting partners to build linkages with other implementing partners and state governments.
• Build relationships with other stakeholders at the national and state levels  which will include other implementing partners, state governments and state agencies for malaria control.

Training and Mentoring:

• Ensure that all trainings hold as scheduled and provide leadership at these meetings when present.
• Serve as a resource person at malaria trainings coordinated by CRS.
• Ensure all members of the GF Malaria team understand program priorities with regards to the training plan and promote buy in from the team.
• Support the planning and delivery of trainings, workshops and other capacity development interventions for CRS staff and partners.

Community  Case Management of Malaria:

• Coordinate project activities to support community case management of malaria (diagnosis and treatment) by Role Model Caregivers (RMCs) in the states.
• Mentor the health facility RMC supervisors and state/LGA officials to ensure that their activities are in line with the National Malaria Strategic Plan.
• Coordinate the development and roll-out of capacity building/training plans for CHEWs and RMCs engaged for the implementation of Community Case Management (CCM) of Malaria.
• Liaise with other project staff to ensure synchronization between CCM of Malaria and other activities of the project.
• Work closely with the Logistic Officer to strengthen the logistics and supply chain for CCM commodities in the states and ensure compliance with the GF NFM CCM Project Implementation Plan.
• Support project communication activities including the development of dissemination documents to allow wider sharing of CRS’s experiences, lessons and successes in the implementation of CCM of Malaria e.g. case studies and  newsletters.
• Provide technical support for the planning and management of community based programs at states level as required.
• Facilitate the development of GF NFM CCM supervision roll-out plan in the states.

Representation:

• Represents CRS at all national level meetings with NMEP etc.
• Represents CRS at all national level technical meetings with other malaria partners e.g. Technical Working Groups etc.

CRS/Nigeria Program Responsibilities:

• The STO will also participate as a full member of the CRS/Nigeria Program Department.
• This will include active involvement in all Program Department activities.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Participate in review of project proposals
• Participate in Program Department meetings and contribute to development of Program Department priorities
• Research, stay up to date on, and disseminate GF/NFM methodologies, best practices, M&E tools, reports, findings, etc., including those from other country programs, that can be useful for CRS/Nigeria GF/NFM programming
• Participate in and share information from relevant trainings and workshops, as requested
• Participate in CRS/Nigeria strategic planning and implementation of strategic priorities

Agency Wide Competences (For all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Serves with integrity
• Models stewardship
• Cultivates constructive relationships
• Promotes learning

Key working relationships:

• Internal: SPM, GF Coordinator/Head of Unit, Health Systems Strengthening program and finance team members, Head of Programming, Country representative CRS Nigeria, and CRS Finance and Administration Staff, as well as, the GF Malaria team as a whole.
• External: NMEP, Assigned GF/NFM partner staff and staff of the LFA, NMEP, State Ministries of Health (SMOH), other malaria implementing partners.
• Physical Requirements/Environment: Ability to travel frequently to the project sites in Ondo and Ekiti states.

Qualifications

• M.D/MBBS required with significant field experience in clinical and/or community-based malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment OR post graduate degree in health management or public health.
• At least 5 years of post NYSC relevant experience in public health with a strong preference for candidates with at least 2 years’ experience in malaria programming. Some health-related community development experience is required.
• Experience managing developmental programs is preferred.
• Experience in malaria programming at the field level and providing technical assistance to partner organizations; knowledge and experience of programmatic and technical service delivery challenges is highly desired.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently and ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training.
• Experience with, and a demonstrated commitment to, community-based approach to development.
• Experience with GF donor funding requirement a plus.
• Ability to train public health professionals and volunteers on the principles and practice of CCM.
• Capacity to prepare evidence-based reports and documents.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical documents.
• Ability to interface with multiple stakeholders, representatives, and partners in a professional manner on an ongoing basis.
• Excellent analytical and information seeking skills, good decision-making skills.
• Experience with participatory planning and evaluation methods preferred.
• Strong inter-personal and public relations skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly and at short notices.
• Excellent English language oral and written communication skills. 
• Proficiency in MS Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time to Ondo and Ekiti.