Job Opportunities at Abt Associates

Req Id: 52788
Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Abt Associates, a major American business and government research, technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded Vector Control Task Order 1. Task Order 1 will support the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control approach with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria.
• Abt has implemented indoor residual spraying (IRS) for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality IRS programs and gathering the most comprehensive vector control entomological data in the world. Under this contract, Abt will expand entomological monitoring to guide programs focused on insecticide-treated mosquito nets and IRS and continue to assist PMI in reducing the burden of malaria through IRS and capacity building in 22 African countries where malaria is endemic. Abt also will continue to support PMI in IRS monitoring and evaluation, as well as environmental compliance.
• Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, the Entomology Technical Manager provides leadership and management oversight of all of the project’s entomological surveillance activities in country, in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), coordinate and oversee the project’s key entomological monitoring activities for integrated vector control and will guide key project and country-level vector control decisions based on data analysis and interpretation.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Leads the development of national entomological monitoring plan in collaboration with National Malaria Control Program (NMCP),  in country malaria vector control  partners, research instituts, Universities  ansd private  sectors involved in malaria vector control.
•  Prepare project comprahensive annual entomological monitroing plan.
• Reviews the content of communications materials for technical accuracy.
• Coordinate the implementation of the following set of entomological activities:
  • The establishment entomological sentinel sites in selected district.
  • Monitor vector density and behavior pre- and post-deployment of vector control interventions using World Health Organization (WHO) standard mosquito sampling methods
  • Conduct wall bioassays within two weeks after every spray cycle and on new insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) before distribution to evaluate the quality spray and products.
  • Conduct wall bioassays monthly in selected districts to evaluate the residual efficacy of sprayed insecticides and bi-annually to evaluate insecticidal activity of ITNs.
  • Monitor vector susceptibility tests to currently use and candidate insecticides on annual basis. Conduct intensity and synergist assays in sentinel sites selected for insecticide resistance monitoring.
  •  Work with identified entomology laboratories to facilitate the work and obtain result of molecular and bio-chemical analysis data
  • Assist in developing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and checklists for mosquito collection techniques and disseminating to all in country partners.
• Ensure avilability of susceptible mosquito colony to support qulaity assurance and susuceptibility tests in country.
• Involve and lead the  vector control (VC) technical working group at national level to help  develop vector control policy and an insecticide resitance management strategy and plan
• Train entomology technicians on maintaining mosquito colonies in an insectary, different field mosquito sampling techniques for both adult and larvae, on species identification, preserving, storing and transport of mosquito samples from the field to the insectary or entomological working sites.
• Ensure that the field teams follow all WHO , CDC and PMI approved guidelines, protocols, and techniques for mosquito collections and tests.
• Ensure that all data from all collection activities are recorded on data entry forms, perform mosquito identifications, and undertake data analysis and prepare monitoring reports.
• Implement capacity-building efforts to increase and expand the skills of local counterparts and field team technicians.
• Prepare semi-annual and annual entomological monitoring reports, vector control  products and  delivery quality assurance reports and  insectcide resistanec  reports.
• Involve in vector contrrol operational resreach actvities.
• Publish results from regular entomological monitorig and operational resreach actvtreoisn  on  pree-reviewed journal.
• Prepare and present abtsracts in interbnational vector control and scientific conferences.

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• 20 years relevant experience, or: Bachelor's  Degree plus 15 years relevant experience, Masters Degree (desirable) plus 10 years relevant experience, or a Phd. And 8 years relevant experience.
• Relevant professional work experience with significant amounts of experience directly in Vector Control and IRS Operations.
• Experience in regulatory and operational aspects of insecticide use and management
• Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of direction and supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work both as a member of a team and as a team leader, with the ability to accept the inputs of other team members.
• Strong management and planning skills of project tasks and budgets.
• Demonstrates leadership and team work and produces high quality work in a timely, cost effective manner and has excellent writing skills.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal communication and computer skills.
• Experience with USAID and donor projects is highly desirable.
• English language fluency.

Minimum Qualifications

• (8+) years of experience and a master degree OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.

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Req Id: 52785
Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Under the supervision of the Entomology Technical Manager, the Entomology Coordinator will be responsible for timely and high quality field entomological work and will assist the Entomology Insectary Technicians with managing the insectary.

Key Roles and Responsibilities
Support implementation of the following set of entomological field activities:

• Establishment of sentinel sites
• Monitor vector density and behavior pre- and post-deployment of vector control interventions using World Health Organization (WHO) standard mosquito sampling methods
• Conduct wall bioassays within two weeks after every spray cycle and on new insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) before distribution to evaluate the quality spray and products.
• Conduct wall bioassays monthly in selected districts to evaluate the residual efficacy of sprayed insecticides and bi-annually to evaluate insecticidal activity of ITNs.
• Monitor vector susceptibility tests to currently use and candidate insecticides on annual basis. Conduct intensity and synergist assays in sentinel sites selected for insecticide resistance monitoring.
• Participate in other field activities  and planning processes of entomology activities
• Assist with procurement requests related to the field entomological activities
• Adhere to the Standard Operational Procedures for these activities
• Support the Entomology Insectary Technicians in managing the insectary operations.
• Ensure proper and timely data recording and entry.
• Support capacity building on entomology activities including insecticide susceptibility testing.
• Publish results from regular entomological monitorig and operational resreach actvtreoisn  on  peer reviewed journals.
• Perform any other duty assigned by the Entomology Technical Manager.
• This position may require frequent visits to the field and sentinel sites for mosquito collection.

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• Bachelor's Degree (minimum)  plus 8 years relevant experience or a Masters Degree (desirable) plus 6 years relevant experience, or or a PhD and 4 years relevant experience in Entomology, Public Health, Environmental Health, or other relevant field.
• Relevant professional work experience with significant amounts of experience directly in Vector Control and IRS Operations.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of direction and supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work both as a member of a team and as a team leader, with the ability to accept the inputs of other team members.
• Strong management and planning skills of project tasks and budgets.
• Demonstrates leadership and team work and produces high quality work in a timely, cost effective manner and has excellent writing skills.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal communication and computer skills.
• Experience with USAID and donor projects is highly desirable.
• English language fluency.

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Req Id: 52786
Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Under the supervision of the Entomology Coordinator, the Entomology Insectary Technician manages the insectary.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Maintain the mosquito colony in the insectary.
• Ensure the feeding of lab animals and mosquito colony.
• Ensure and coordinate the cleaning of the insectary.
• Establish regularly the needs required for the insectary.
• Ensure the appropriate storage of equipment and animal food.
• Ensure appropriate records are kept in the laboratory log books.
• Assist with procurement requests related to this activity.
• Adhere to the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) for these activities.
• Participate in other field activities as required.
• Perform any other duty assigned by the Country Technical Manager.

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• Experience in laboratory or veterinary work for at least six (6) months.
• At least 5 years relevant experience, or: Bachelor's  Degree (desireable) or a Masters Degree.
• Knowledge in computer skills (able to run programs such as Microsoft word, Excel).
• Knowledge of English.
• Experience with laboratory animal rearing is an added advantage.

Minimum Qualifications

• (0.5) year of experience and high school diploma OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.

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Req Id: 52781
Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Under the supervision of the Country Finance & Admin Manager, the Administrative Support Assistant (Mid)/ Driver operates and maintains project vehicles to meet the transportation needs of the VC TO1 Project in country.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Drive project, and project affiliated personnel to project sites within the base location, and throughout the project implementation area for project activities, including official site visits.
• Transport project equipment, materials, supplies and documents to project sites
• Maintain up-to-date record keeping systems for vehicle issues including fuel, mileage, and trip logs.
• Observe all company vehicle utilization policies, in country traffic laws.
• Maintain project vehicle, including keeping accurate records, and following a schedule of routine maintenance, repairs and cleaning.
• Ensure the readiness of the vehicle for transport service by checking oil, water, fuel, and tires, maps, and conducting safety and security inspection prior to driving.
• Perform project routine business around the province, such as receiving and delivering official project documentation to and from district office, general office purchasing, and photocopying.
• Purchase of basic cleaning and kitchen supplies and assist in the purchase of other project authorized items.
• Perform relevant general service activities such as collection of proforma, processing customs duty clearances and tax exemptions, as directed.
• Make arrangements for repairs, maintenance, and improvements to the office, as requested by the project management.
• Regularly check post office boxes, collect and dispatch letters, parcels and other correspondence, and perform other local errands.

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• Completion of Secondary School is highly desirable.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• At least ten (10) years prior experience in commercial driving.
• Thorough knowledge of local traffic laws and area traffic patterns.
• Knowledge of safety and security principles
• Excellent driving record and experience in traveling through the base location and other key areas of the country.
• Previous work experience on a development project is desirable.
• Time management skills.
• Fluency in English.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 0-1 Year

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Req Id: 52783
Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Abt Associates, a major American business and government research, technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded Vector Control Task Order 1. Task Order 1 will support the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control approach with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria.
• Abt has implemented indoor residual spraying (IRS) for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality IRS programs and gathering the most comprehensive vector control entomological data in the world. Under this contract, Abt will expand entomological monitoring to guide programs focused on insecticide-treated mosquito nets and IRS and continue to assist PMI in reducing the burden of malaria through IRS and capacity building in 22 African countries where malaria is endemic. Abt also will continue to support PMI in IRS monitoring and evaluation, as well as environmental compliance.
• Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, the Finance & Administration Manager oversees and directs all aspects of administrative support for the VC TO1 Project in country.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and monitor project budgets and annual workplans.
• Prepare accurate financial reports, and monthly cash fund’s request in close coordination with senior project staff.
• Prepare annual site office revenue projections and update budget tracker forecast on a monthly basis
• Ensure that the project operations are in compliance with all USAID and Abt policies and procedures.
• Support the startup, general operations, and closedown of the IRS program.
• Manage the financial operations and financial reporting of the country program, providing guidance, training  and technical assistance to financial and non-financial management personnel.
• Supervise and coach the project Accountant, Finance Assistants and other Administrative staff
• Conduct a financial brown bag on a quarterly basis to build the financial capacity of technical and operations personnel on different financial topics including compliance, travel, budgeting, forecasting and procurement.
• Create and maintain financial reporting and tracking systems that provide basic data measurements on financial performance of project activities and develop/recommned cost cutting and compliant strategies to implement the project with less resources
• Provide ongoing financial administration to the project, including the processing of approvals for procurements, consultant agreements, and vendor invoices.
• Manage the timely submission of the monthly field expenses (ROV) to the headquarters office.
• Serve as the project’s contact with the client on finance and administrative issues, participating in discussions on contract issues and actions, and following up on client requests and concerns.
• Support the development, execution, and management of subcontractor and consultant agreements.
• Develop and implement a payment system for seasonal spray operators and community mobilizers.
• Develop and implement systems to streamline financial practices and procedures.
• Inform and maintain project FCA at Headquarters updated on all contractual, financial and legal issues affecting the project
• Perform random audits of inventory to make sure inventory reports prepared by operations team are always accurate and up to date.
• Oversee Human Resource activities affecting the project including but not limited to the hiring, termination, benefit tracking and legal disputes affecting current and former site office personnel.

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• Bachelors Degree (minimum), or a Masters Degree (desirable), in Business, Administration, or other relevant field.
• At least ten (10) years of professional experience managing financial and contractual aspects of large international development projects, preferably USAID-finded projects.
• Significant experience managing and supervising financial and procurement management personnel.
• Familiarity with US Government Cost Accounting Standards.
• Strong analytical and computer skills, with an emphasis on budget and financial analysis.
• Experience in logistics, procurement, and supply chain management highly desirable.
• Fluency in English.

Minimum Qualifications:

• (6+) years of experience and bachelor degree OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.

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Req Id: 52782
Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Under the supervision of the Office Manager, the Office Assistant provides a wide range of cleaning and maintenance support to the project office.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Performs routine maintenance chores around the office.
• Checks and replenishes stock in supply cupboards, bathrooms and kitchen on a daily basis and informing the Office Manager or F&A Manager of purchasing requirements.
• Provides beverage service (tea, coffee, water) for guests and staff.
• Cleans offices, corridors, and other assigned areas
• Dusts, waxes, and polishes office furniture and empties waste baskets.
• Responsible for reporting broken windows, malfunctioning equipment, stopped up drains, and leaking plumbing.
• Opens premises for the work day or closes the premises at the end of the work day.
• Assists with document production, general photocopying, collation and binding of project reports and training materials.
• Processes mail, courier, and other packages both incoming to, and outgoing from, the office. Delivers and picks up documents within the office.
• May purchase kitchen and bathroom supplies, cleaning materials, and other miscellaneous office products from petty cash funds and provides prompt reports to Petty Cash Manager.
• Prepare order lists of cleaning supplies, beverages, special office supplies, as necessary when stocks run short.  Obtains petty cash advance, purchases necessary supplies, and reports expenses promptly.
• Provides beverage service for guests and staff as requested.
• Assists in loading and unloading of the workshop materials when functions take place outside the office.
• Assists in the preparation of office workshops in terms of arrangement of set up of meeting room, stationary and flipcharts.

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• Secondary School completion (minimum), or a Bachelors Degree (desirable).
• Experience in office assistance or other relevant work desirable.
• Excellent inter-personal communication skills and excellent organization skills.
• Ability to assess problems and develop solutions.
• Knowledge and experience with Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other data processing and graphical presentation software is desirable.
• English language fluency.

Minimum Qualifications

• (0) years of experience and high school diploma OR the equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior work experience is preferable.

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Req Id: 52784
Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Under the supervision of the Technical Manager, the Database Manager supports the implementation of the M&E system of the Vector Control Project in Nigeria.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Participates in the collection, cleaning, analysis, and reporting of ento data according to the project’s plan.
• Tests and maintains functionality of the ento database, including performing periodic updates and improvements.
• Assists in the regular monitoring of project implementation against established targets and objectives,
• Supports periodic internal data quality assessments (DQAs) and prepares the project for possible external DQAs to ensure validity, integrity, precision, reliability and timeliness of all performance data, identifying gaps and suggesting corrective actions on time.
• Collects, analyzes, and presents program data for project staff, partners, counterparts, and donors.
• Contributes to the project’s work in HMIS, and in linking country-level HMIS to project monitoring and evaluation, as appropriate.
• Oversees the configuration and deployment of mobile-based supervisory data collection, bulk SMS job aides, and daily performance monitoring using mobile technologies.

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, information systems/technology, Community Health, Sociology, Health Economics, or other relevant field with 8 years relevant experience, or Masters Degree (desirable) plus 6 years relevant experience,  or a PhD and 4 years relevant experience.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience in database management, monitoring & evaluation, or other relevant social science activities.
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Computer literacy, including knowledge of analytical software (Microsoft Access and Excel, SPSS, Stata, Arc GIS, DHIS2, etc.)
• Knowledge of health project implementation in general, with a focus on malaria prevention programs with PMI or USAID very desirable.
• Prior experience working with mobile data collection systems very desirable (CommCare, ODK, KoboCollect, Ona, DHIS2 mobile, etc.)
• Knowledge of material logistics systems is desirable.
• Fluency in English.

Minimum Qualifications:

• (3+) years of experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.