Technical Specialist at Malaria Consortium

Job purpose

• The primary roles of the Technical Specialist (TS) would cover strategic technical support, capacity development, evidence and knowledge development and dissemination, and technical representation.
• S/he would work with the Programme Director (PD) and team in providing technical guidance in the direct implementation of SMC activities, covering macro and microplanning, training, logistic system, social behavioral change communication, SPAQ distribution, quality assurance (QA) and supportive supervision at the state, LGA, health facility and community levels as per the agreed performance framework targets.
• The TS would lead in ensuring Malaria Consortium’s strategic objectives and targets and contributions to Nigeria malaria targets are realized.
• He/She would also lead in the review of Malaria Consortium routine ITN, SMC and other chemoprevention strategies implemented in the project and continuously provide technical appraisal and how these can achieve increasing effectiveness/cost effectiveness.

Scope of work

• Using an integrated, coordinated, system strengthening and resilience enhancing approach, the TS provides strategic technical and programmatic support to ensure that project interventions is implemented according to the national guideline and global best practices.  
• The Technical Specialist (TS) will provide additional technical support working closely with the Country Technical Coordinator (CTC), to the technical team at the country office level with specific attention to follow-up on ToRs, concept notes, engagement of technical assistance (TA), TA and programme reports, tracking/follow up on technical quality of state level activities through interphase with the STOs.. S/he would also be involved in representation of the programme during meeting with PRs and other stakeholders.

Key accountabilities
Technical contributions (70%):

• Support the development of technical workplans and provide quarterly project performance updates.
• Support states to ensure that rollout of programme service delivery activities meet international standard of quality;
• Initiate/follow-up on approval of ToRs for all activities to be carried out at the national, state, LGA, health facility and community level;
• Work in liaison with country office team to closely monitor delivery of ToRs; obtain reports in a timely manner and ensure the proper sign-off of all submitted reports;
• Provide technical support, including building their capabilities, to the state teams in the planning and implementation of all programme activities including malaria prevention (routine ITNs distribution & IPTp), case management (diagnosis and treatment), quality of care (QoC), integrated community case management (iCCM/CHIPS);
• Ensure the GF project’s adherence to technical quality assurance processes for MC in programme planning and implementation.
• Document innovation and best practices that are related to the programme.
• Represent MC on malaria Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and other relevant health coordinating committees at national level as designated.

Project Management (20%):

• Support collation, review, and submission of routine project service delivery activity reports to Programme Director.
• Support Project Director to follow up Country Office review feedbacks on reports and other project documents.
• Contribute to preparation of the quarterly Progress Update and Disbursement Request (PUDR) to the donor.
• Contribute to quarterly lessons identification and learning, documentation and dissemination
• Contribute to project transition strategy and ensure inclusion of relevant activities to promote sustainability within the workplan and smooth transition of the programme to government;
• Be part of the Malaria Consortium learning & development (L&D) and quality assurance groups.

Representations (10%):

• Represent MC on malaria Case Management Subcommittee, SMC Expert Group and other relevant health coordinating committees at national level as may be delegated;
• Be part of the relevant Malaria Consortium/global technical community of practices (CoPs);
• Represent the GF/SMC programme/MC externally as might be assigned by the PD, SCTC and/or West & Central Africa Programme Director (WACPD).

Qualifications and Experience      
Essential:  

• A Degree in Medicine plus a Master’s in Public Health, Health Policy, Epidemiology or another relevant specialty with at least ten years work experience, is a minimum requirement;
• Previous experience working at national level with oversight for at least 3 states
• Demonstrable experience working with national programmes and engaging with stakeholders at that level.
• Significant experience of working in developing countries and experience with GF or GAVI funded programmes would be an added advantage;

Work-based skills and competencies: 
Essential:      

• Knowledge of global and country specific malaria policy and guidelines.
• Knowledge of medical supplies procurement and supply chain management.
• Technical knowledge and skills in control of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea.
• Demonstrable report writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent project management and M&E skills; and familiarity with accountability and learning
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Key working relationships:

• The Technical Specialist will work under the line-management of the Programme Director with dotted line management of the SCTC and in close collaboration with the colleagues in the country office, dotted line relationship to the State Technical Officers, other GF SRs, partners and stakeholders would deliver aspects of the programme as per the specified job tasks and expected deliverables.