Malaria Case Management Specialist / Malaria in Pregnancy - AHMS Project - Dosso, Niger, Africa

Over the past 40 years, MCD Global Health (MCD) has worked to strengthen health systems through integrated, sustainable, and locally driven interventions across several public health sectors. MCD collaborates with donors, national governments, the private sector, health agencies, communities, and local stakeholders to improve health and save lives in the following areas: malaria control; maternal, neonatal, and child health; water, sanitation, and hygiene; tuberculosis; HIV/AIDS; Zika; and other communicable diseases.

MCD is currently seeking candidates to serve as a Case Management Technical Advisor for the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative Advancing Health and Malaria Services Program in Niger (PMI AHMS Niger). The purpose of the project is to increase the coverage and use of key life-saving malaria interventions in support of Niger’s National Malaria Strategic Plan and to build the human resources capacity of the National Malaria Control Program. The project will focus primarily on supporting malaria prevention and case management (diagnosis and treatment) at facility and community (through integrated community case management, iCCM) levels, malaria in pregnancy (MiP), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), monitoring and evaluation, and SBC interventions integrated into the design of malaria services to increase uptake. It will strengthen the capacity for higher quality service delivery and monitoring and evaluation, and provide tools and equipment to PMI-supported health districts in Dosso and Tahoua.

Overall Job Responsibilities

The Regional CM/MiP Specialist, based in Dosso and reporting to the Malaria Technical Specialist, is responsible for providing technical assistance and capacity building in malaria CM and MiP to MOH staff at the regional, district, and health facility (HF) level and in iCCM at the community level, as well as for supporting AHMS provincial and district staff in all these technical areas. The CM/MiP Specialist will work with and support the regional, district, health facility staff and CHWs to improve the quality of malaria prevention and case management, including management of uncomplicated and severe cases, prevention of MiP through IPTp, among others, and strengthening of iCCM at CHW level, through supportive supervision, training, mentoring, and coaching, on-site visits to HFs and provision of job aids and other tools. S/he will also contribute to the revision and update of malaria CM/MiP-related guidelines, training, mentorship, and supervision tools, and to efforts of increasing the pool of trainers, mentors, and supervisors with competency in malaria CM, MiP, and iCCM.

Specific Responsibilities

In coordination with the Case Management Technical Advisor, the NMCP, and under the supervision of the Malaria Technical Specialist,

• Contribute to the development, review, and/or update of malaria CM/MiP/iCCM guiding documents, manuals, and tools for training, mentoring, and supervision.

Work with the regional and district-level NMCP/MoH staff to:

• Continuously assess and mentor health facility staff and CHWs on malaria CM, including the management of uncomplicated and severe cases, of MiP, appropriate referral, and related activities, including the prevention of MiP through the provision of IPTp and ITNs during ANC consultations, and iCCM at the community level, as well as communication of malaria-related health education and prevention messages to all patients and the community.
• Develop and implement comprehensive and blended training and supervision plans and tools for health facility staff and CHWs on malaria CM, MiP, and iCCM.
• Strengthen and continuously review the capacity and progress of MoH trainers and supervisors to conduct regular malaria CM, MiP, and iCCM refresher training of health care staff, and to conduct regular supportive supervision visits to health facilities and the community level, including follow-up and mentoring to address gaps.
• Contribute to setting up and implementing training of trainers and training supervisors in malaria CM, MiP, and iCCM.
• Provide training on stock management (tests, drugs, and other supplies required for malaria CM and MiP prevention).
• Support the NMCP/MoH staff and the project team in capturing, monitoring, and analyzing CM and MiP-related data.

For the project:

• Capture and document AHMS’ best practices on malaria CM, MiP, and iCCM, contribute to dissemination, and work with the NMCP/MoH staff in scaling them up if applicable.
• Contribute to any CM, MiP, and iCCM-related operations research if and as required.
• Participate in all regional level meetings convened by the AHMS Regional Coordinator, and in relevant meetings at other levels, if and as required (e.g. national, district).

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required:

• Must be a Medical Doctor or a master’s degree in medical sciences (public health, nursing, etc.) or a related field.
• A minimum of five years experience in malaria CM and/or MiP.
• A minimum of 5 years experience providing capacity-building support and TA to MOH health facilities and/or community-level staff. Experience in quality improvement approaches is an asset.
• Experiences in supportive supervision (e.g., OTSS) and malaria CM/MiP training or training of trainers/supervisors are highly valued.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French. English proficiency and knowledge of local languages is an asset.
• Attention to detail and ability to perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities effectively and efficiently often within a required timeframe.
• Capacity of working in a fast pace working environment.
• Ability to travel within and outside the region.

MCD Global Health is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity.

MCD strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccinations for employees, contractors, and other representatives.