Technical Officer at Management Sciences For Health - MSH

Overview

The Technical Officer (TO) position is designed to work in close collaboration with the State Team Lead, Technical Director, Malaria, project staff, and project partners in ensuring the delivery of quality case management interventions in public and private health facilities. S/He will provide technical support to state malaria programmes in all aspects of direct implementation of program activities at various service delivery points at state and LGA levels to meet up with the technical demands of the grant. S/He will provide technical support to state agencies/programmes in all aspects of direct implementation of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) activities at state and LGA levels. S/He with support from state colleagues will ensure the delivery of quality SMC interventions in communities and LGAs in assigned state while working in close collaboration with project partners and MSH colleagues.

The TO will support planning for state level training, quarterly on-site supervision visits and roll-out activities for the SMC implementation at service delivery points. S/He will be responsible for tracking of case management activities at state level and any other duties assigned by the supervisor.
The Technical Officer, Malaria provides technical support to the State Malaria Elimination Programs and LGAs for the achievement of objectives set forth in the Global Fund Malaria Grant, which support the National Malaria Control Strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications

• M.D/MBBS required with some field experience in clinical and/or community-based malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Specialized experience in malaria is highly preferred.
• At least 5 years of post NYSC relevant experience in public health. Any experience in malaria programming will be an added advantage. Some health-related community development experience is required.
• 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.
• Ability to lead and coordinate teams and adhoc personnel engaged during large health campaigns
• Experience with, and a demonstrated commitment to community-based approach to development.
• Previous experience with or good knowledge of Global Fund operating procedures and funding requirement a plus.
• 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.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.
• Good verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations. Verbal communication skills are also used to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members.
• Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel and Power Point) are required for effectively operating in this position.
• Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements.

Responsibilities

• Work in close collaboration with the MSH state-based specialists (M&E and SCMS) to support the SMEP/SMOH in the implementation of all case management activities, in line with grant targets and deliverables by ensuring adherence to national strategies and guidelines for malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
• Work with States and LGAs in planning and coordinating training for health workers, Integrated Monitoring and Supportive Supervision (iMSV).
• Support the State MoH to implement all aspects of the seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) intervention. A mass drug campaign for children under-5years
• Support trainings for SMC, personnel selection according to set criteria, coordinate monthly mass drug distribution in selected LGAs for SMC implementation.
• Supervise SMC adhoc personnel engaged by MSH – consultants and field officers.
• Prepare monthly End of Cycle reports after each cycle
• Support the State MoH to implement activities for improving Intermittent Preventive Therapy for pregnant women (IPTp) and routine LLIN distribution in pregnant women and children under-5 years
• Support capacity building of the State MoH personnel on malaria technical areas
• Preparation and submission of project malaria technical activity reports to Technical Director, Malaria
• Represent MSH on malaria Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and other relevant health coordinating committees at state level
• Contribute to quarterly lessons identification and learning documentation and dissemination.
• Preparation and submission of project service delivery activity reports to Technical Director, Malaria
• Document evidence and best practices that are related to the programme.
• Assists the State in the development of emergency response plans for malaria outbreaks
• Implement quality assurance measures to ensure that malaria prevention and treatment services meet national guidelines
• Contribute to research initiatives by identifying gaps in current practices and suggesting innovative approaches to malaria prevention and treatment.