The Technical Director (TD), Malaria is a member of the senior management team on the Global Fund malaria grant in MSH. She/he and will provide overall technical direction, leadership and technical expertise for the team in designing and delivering evidence-based, high impact malaria case management and vector control interventions/services in public and private health facilities, that are responsive to the needs of the National, State and the Global Fund.
The position is designed to provide technical assistance, specifically to the NMEP and State-levels MEPs, in meeting the technical demands of the Global Fund malaria grant.
The TD, Malaria will report directly to the Project Director to provide technical expertise and oversight to ensure MSH's programs apply evidence-based malaria interventions and approaches that align with the current and up-to-date national malaria strategic plan (NMSP) objectives to ensure delivery of quality case management for malaria in public facilities and lead the implementation in the following areas;
•Vector Control - mass campaign and routine distribution of ITNs;
•Case management - diagnosis with Rapid Diagnostic Kits (RDTs) or microscopy, treatment with Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs); treatment for severe malaria with injectable Artesunate and Specific Prevention Interventions (SPI) - Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) and Intermittent Preventive Therapy in Pregnancy (IPTp); and integrated community case management (iCCM)/Community Health Influencers and Promoter Services (CHIPS) iCCM/CHIPs implementation
The TD, Malaria will support the program to deliver high-quality integrated health interventions and ensure that project activities align with relevant international standards and national/state policies, strategies, and plans.
The TD, Malaria will ensure MSH's visibility by actively participating in technical working group discussions to update malaria policies, guidelines and tools, lead the planning and facilitation of trainings where applicable. She/He will participate in monitoring, periodic evaluations, and semi-annual reviews of project activities, including program analysis and strategic planning. She/he will maintain updated technical knowledge on malaria and related public health topics to be able to provide vision and input to strategy development. She/he will work with MSH, NMEP and States to actively use data for decision-making, document and share best practices to inform sustainable, evidence based malaria control activities.
Responsibilities
Provide technical leadership in the development and operationalization of the GF Malaria Project Implementation Plan (PIP) to apply evidence-based malaria interventions and approaches that align with the current and up-to-date national malaria strategic plan for program management, reporting, and documentation of best practices
Provide strategic guidance and technical assistance, specifically to the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and State-levels MEPs, in meeting the technical demands of the Global Fund malaria grant by ensuring proper orientation, mentoring, and quality supervision at all levels.
Lead the case management and vector control teams on the GF Malaria project team at MSH.
Work with other Global Fund Malaria Grant partners to improve the quality of malaria case management frameworks at the various states where implementation is taking place.
Lead the design and implementation of all case management and vector control aspects of program implementation to track delivery against targets, outcomes, and impacts.
Lead the program to deliver high-quality integrated health interventions and ensure that project activities align with relevant international standards, national/state policies, strategies, and plans
Work closely with Grant Supply Chain Managers and State-level units responsible for malaria commodity distribution, to ensure that supply chain issues are addressed in the context of improving malaria case management.
Work with Grant implementation leadership to ensure proper coordination among States, LGAs and Grant implementation partners
Qualification
M.D/MBBS required with extensive field experience in community-based malaria prevention, vector control, diagnosis and treatment; a master's degree in public health is an added advantage. Specialized experience in malaria is highly preferred.
10+ years post NYSC experience in public health with minimum of 4 years successful experience as senior-level technical or program manager designing, implementing and managing malaria and other health programs of equivalent size and complexity in developing countries; Global Fund (GF) experience is strongly preferred.
Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of health programs) in Nigeria; Including experience in the design and implementation of large-scale programs related to in the field of malaria and/or reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health, plus nutrition (RMNCH+N)
Familiar with the primary health care context in Nigeria
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, manage complex programs and ensure that project staff adhere to the highest standards of quality, relevance, and timeliness; Including experience leading technical staff and consultants within a consortium of international and local subcontractors to achieve measurable results within a technically complex and integrated health program.
Demonstrated experience engaging technical representatives of the host country government, civil society organizations, and international development organizations and sharing knowledge, documenting best practices, present highly technical ideas at various forums.
Demonstrated experience in strengthening leadership and management capacities of national and sub-national government health systems
Demonstrated capacity to develop technical materials and strengthen local clinical and non-clinical capacities to improve service delivery, advocacy and resource mobilization for quality malaria and RMNCH+N services
Proven ability to build and maintain relationships and comport with high levels of diplomacy, expertise in working directly with host-country senior government officials and policy makers in health
Familiarity with the FMOH, SMOH, NPHCDA, or SPHCDA structures and functions
Proven ability in conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.
Fluency in written and spoken English, and demonstrated capacity to effectively communicate and document, including the writing of quality reports and detailed analysis of strategic information. Fluency in a local language is a distinct advantage.
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.
Previous experience with or good knowledge of Global Fund operating procedures
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.
Ability to find solutions to challenges that are acutely sensitive to human and other resource constraints in the health sector.
Ability to serve as a liaison with Global Fund, Federal and selected State governments, and other key stakeholders in support of the activity.
Willingness and ability to travel within Nigeria and internationally as needed.
Ability to lead case management, change management and quality of care activities at all levels
Knowledge and Skill
Strong oral and written communication skills in English, including evidence of quality report writing and presentation.
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines with quality products.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
Competency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
Proven ability in conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.
Good verbal, listening, writing, and intrapersonal skills are essential for effective interaction among several institutions and staff involved in a broad range of activities.