Africa Regional Technical Advisor OV & LF Surveys at Sightsavers

 About the role

• Sightsavers’ work in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) aims to reduce health disparities and disease burdens by building sustainable, locally owned health programmes.
• As a Country Coordinating Partner on the RLM Fund expansion project, a $500M initiative running from 2024 to 2030, Sightsavers supports efforts to eliminate NTDs in Africa. This project, backed by the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, requires extensive technical and programme management support to conduct necessary surveys.

Responsibilities

• Sightsavers reduces health disparities and disease burdens through sustainable, locally owned programmes. As a key partner in the $500M RLM Fund expansion (2024-2030), Sightsavers supports Africa’s efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), backed by the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, requiring extensive technical and programme management expertise.

Key responsibilities

• Provide technical support for onchocerciasis surveys to various staff.
• Review and produce tools for standardised onchocerciasis survey processes.
• Develop strategies and frameworks for LF technical activities.
• Provide technical support for LF elimination strategies and frameworks.
• Share best practices in LF programme implementation across projects.
• Align Sightsavers survey tools with latest WHO advice.
• Lead in-country training for LF and OV survey data collection.
• Ensure linkage between field and laboratory survey data.
• Coordinate technical advice in multi-funded LF and OV surveys.
• Support countries in analysing and reporting LF and OV data.
• Ensure early identification of LF and OV procurement needs.

Skills and Experience

• You will provide technical support for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis surveys, develop strategies, and ensure alignment with WHO guidelines. Your role includes training, coordinating with partners, and supporting data analysis and procurement. Strong experience in global health initiatives and stakeholder management is essential.

Jobholder Requirements

Essential:

• A detailed understanding of the transmission, pathogenesis and epidemiology of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis
• Experience planning and implementing onchocerciasis serological and entomological surveys
• Demonstrable experience and/or qualifications in LF programmes implementation including LF MDA and survey planning and implementation
• Experience of pre-TAS/EMS planning and implementation
• Experience of school base and community based TAS implementation
• Ability to plan and implement LF and OV mapping and remapping
• Experience of delivering training and/or health interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Willingness and availability to travel for field visits, attending meetings, workshops and conferences, subject to an appropriate risk assessment being in place 

Desirable:

• Experience on using ESPEN portal for monitoring LF and OV surveys.
• Skills or qualifications in statistical analysis and or/infectious disease modelling
• Skills or qualifications in infectious disease epidemiology
• Teaching qualifications
• Understanding of research governance and ethical principles particularly in relation to research with vulnerable people 
• Knowledge of NTDs and health systems