TB Advisor, PPM at KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation

Vacancy Number: KN49

USAID Nigeria TB LON Region 1 and 2 Project

• The TB LON Project is funded by USAID Nigeria and focuses on locally generated solutions to provide TB prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and notification, while addressing stigma and discrimination.
• The TB LON region 1 and 2 project is to be implemented by KNCV TB foundation Nigeria to expand the provision of and increase access to TB services among formal and informal health providers through the engagement  of the private sector, umbrella and local chapters of health and allied professional organizations, faith-based institutions, communities and civil society.
• The project is targeted at increasing the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases that are detected, treated and notified to  437,895 within the five year grant implementation period 2020 to 2025 and implemented across 14 states in Nigeria; Bauchi, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Imo and Rivers State.
• The project’s four intermediate results are as follows:
  • Improved access to high-quality, person-centered TB, DR-TB, and TB/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (TB/HIV) services;
  • Strengthened TB service delivery platforms;
  • ReducedTB disease transmission and progression and
  • Accelerated TB innovations with improved impact on program implementation.
• KNCV Nigeria is working with a consortium of partners - two sub recipients- CCCRN and KNCV International and six strategic service package providers- Intrasat Global, IPCD, Jana Health Foundation, Diadem Consult, Public Health Concerns Ltd and TB Network.
• Towards meeting the project set targets, KNCV Nigeria and partners adopted a mixed model of community and facility based, health systems strengthening strategies and digital solutions to find TB cases in a Roll in, Roll on and Roll out staged approach.
• Roll in was in year 1 which is the planning stage, collaborations and capacity building, Roll on is the saturation stage in Year 2,3 and 4 while Roll out in year 5 is the transitioning Stage.

Purpose of the position

• The TB Advisor will support the KNCV TB LON Team. The Advisor will aim to strengthen TB surveillance systems in Nigeria and provides technical assistance as well as conduct in-country data analysis within the assigned state.
• S/he will ensure that USAID-supported TB surveillance interventions are in-line with the US Government (USG) TB Strategy, USAID’s technical implementation approach, and other international policies and guidelines.
• This will include mapping and analyzing current systems, improving the quality of the systems, and supporting the implementation of strategic quality improvement interventions.
• The Advisor will coordinate with key stakeholders in-country including National TB Control Programs; local technical partners; and other donors like the Global Fund.
• The Advisor will provide support to USAID TB/HIV surveillance activities.
• S/He will work within the NTBLCP structure with a functional reporting line to the NTBLCP National Coordinator and at the State level, the State TB PM.
• Hierarchically, the TB Advisor PPM reports to the Senior Program Officer.

As a TB Advisor, PPM, You Will

• Analyzing the availability and quality of surveillance systems in Nigeria.
• Analyzing the appropriateness of USAID funded surveillance interventions depending on the TB epidemiology and needs of each country. Ensuring that interventions follow USG and international TB policies and guidance.
• Assisting in the roll-out and scale-up suitable models for strengthening surveillance systems including data quality improvement.
• Support TB surveillance activities towards increasing TB notification in assigned state
• Implement targeted community surveillance activities in identified hotspots towards identifying TB cases
• Facility routine TB screening and linkage of diagnosed TB cases from non-NTP facilities to the NTP M&E system.
• Conduct training and capacity building of TB program officers and health care workers.
• Conduct supervision and monitoring of TB surveillance activities
• Provide support at state level for domestic resource mobilization for TB control
• Contributing to PEPFAR TB/HIV M&E interventions.
• Providing technical support and oversight of the TB LON intervention within the private sector (PPM) in the assigned state
• Collecting and maintaining data set in the assigned state.
• Working with TB Team members to analyze national TB program, USAID and other partner data sets using the most up-to-date tools. Interpreting the national TB program with TB Team members, USAID, and other partner data sets.
• Participating in consultations to share and disseminate USAID experience and models of TB surveillance.
• Developing and implementing best practice models for TB/HIV surveillance strengthening with USAID/KNCV and PEPFAR partners.
• Developing best practice models for surveillance system strengthening in collaboration with national and KNCV TB LON Project team.
• Perform other additional duties assigned

Who are We Looking For?
Education:

• Minimum of an MBBS with Master's Degree or higher in Public Health other relevant Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics or a related Social Science field with applicability to International TB Epidemiology.

Knowledge / Experience:

• At least 5 years' experience working with: HIV & TB program at various levels
• Experience or knowledge of TB surveillance methods is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience with public health disease programs and/or surveillance strengthening in developing countries (including national TB control programs and/or other infectious disease control) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with key international TB initiatives and organizations, including those focused on epidemiology, surveillance and/or monitoring.
• Experience of USAID policies, regulations and procedures desirable.

Behavioral Competencies and Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines while producing quality content.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• In addition to the above, the position requires the following at each level:
  • Minimum five (5) years’ experience in disease surveillance improvement, with at least two (2) years’ experiences in an international or resource challenged setting.

Remuneration
Salary will be based on commensurate experience and in line with KNCV personnel compensation policy.