JOB DESCRIPTION
Project Description
The PMI Evolve Project supports the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control strategy with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria while promoting equity to sustain malaria gains. Abt has implemented integrated vector control for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality indoor residual spraying (IRS), technical assistance for insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution and durability monitoring, and new approaches for larval source management (LSM). Additionally, Abt’s PMI-funded work manages the most comprehensive malaria vector entomological surveillance programs in 21 African countries to inform malaria vector control trends, strategies, and impact. Under the PMI Evolve Project, Abt will further its delivery of integrated vector control programs by partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments to co-design and co-implement tailored malaria vector control programs. The end goal is fighting malaria while strengthening local capacity to sustain malaria gains.
The Opportunity
PMI Evolve Zambia is looking for a qualified Senior Entomologist to help strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health (MoH)’s National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) in entomological monitoring for evidence-based planning and implementation of malaria vector control interventions. The successful candidate will be fully seconded to the NMEP and is expected to strengthen the capacity of the vector control staff in entomological surveillance and monitoring operations at the NMEP by the end of the 12 month tenure. The Senior Entomologist will provide leadership and management oversight of the national program’s entomological surveillance activities, managing and coordinating the activation or reactivation of all the NMEP’s monitoring sentinel sites supported by the MoH’s National Malaria Elimination Centre and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in the country. Ensure that all key entomological monitoring activities are implemented following standard protocols, and data is generated, analyzed, and interpreted to guide key country-level vector control decisions.
Duty Station and Reporting
The position shall be based at the National Malaria Elimination Centre in Lusaka. The Senior Entomologist will work closely with existing staff and report directly to the Vector Control Unit Head, National Malaria Elimination Centre, and is accountable to the PMI Evolve Zambia Chief of Party.
Core Responsibilities
Develop and operationalize a sustainable procedure for the mobilization of Global Fund resources for entomological monitoring activities in Zambia.
Lead the development of an annual national entomological monitoring plan for Zambia in consultation with local partners.
Provide strategic and analytical direction to entomology activities in collaboration with relevant partners.
Support the national technical working groups to develop/maintain an integrated, data-driven vector control policy and an insecticide resistance management strategy and plan.
Establish and/or maintain entomological sentinel sites in selected districts as per the approved national malaria elimination strategic plan.
Provide technical oversight and ensure that entomological monitoring activities at all sentinel sites in Zambia are conducted following the World Health Organization (WHO), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and US President’s Malaria Initiative PMI guidelines, and the best practices of other international centers of excellence in vector control.
Strengthen leadership of entomological surveillance by providing direct supervision and mentorship to the NMEP’s entomological team and the provincial and district-level field teams of entomological technicians who perform mosquito collections and tests.
Manage and strengthen all data collection activities, data recording, data analysis, data interpretation, and preparation of entomological monitoring reports.
Lead the management of the Zambia DHIS2 Entomology database and ensure data is consistently entered timely into the database from all sentinel sites, and facilitates the efficient storage and easy retrieval of information.
Coordinate with entomological implementing partners in Zambia to ensure routine mosquito collection, data reporting, and data use for evidence-based decision-making.
Coordinate and supervise the implementation of the following set of entomological field activities in all GRZ/GF sentinel sites:
Monitor vector density and behavior to determine the impact of vector control interventions according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standard mosquito sampling methods.
Conduct standard WHO cone bioassays on newly insecticide-sprayed walls to evaluate the quality of IRS spray and monthly bioassays to evaluate the residual efficacy of sprayed insecticides on walls.
Perform standard WHO cone bioassays on new insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) before mass distribution to obtain baseline data from ITN products and on distributed nets to evaluate the annual insecticidal activity of ITNs.
Perform and supervise insecticide resistance testing including diagnostic dose, intensity, and synergist assays to monitor vector susceptibility to currently used and candidate WHO-recommended public health insecticides.
Coordinate and work with identified entomology laboratories locally and internationally to facilitate and obtain results of molecular and biochemical analysis of mosquito samples.
Assist in developing, updating, and disseminating standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and timelines for mosquito collections and vector control activities.
Provide leadership and support in the dissemination of entomological results to all in-country partners.
Promote and strengthen local insectaries aimed at enhancing mass production of susceptible mosquito colonies to support contact bioassays and insecticide susceptibility tests in the country.
Train entomology technicians on maintaining mosquito colonies in an insectary, different field mosquito sampling techniques for both adult and larvae, on species morphological identification, preserving, storing, and transportation of mosquito samples from the field to the insectary or entomological working sites aimed at ensuring knowledge transfer of technical skills to the provincial and district levels.
Support and implement needs assessment and capacity-strengthening efforts to increase and expand the skills of local counterparts and field team technicians working towards ensuring the country undertakes high-quality entomological monitoring activities.
Develop training manuals for entomological surveillance per WHO standards.
Support vector control operational research and program evaluation activities as applicable.
Publish the results from entomological monitoring and operational research activities in peer-reviewed journals as applicable.
Minimum Qualifications/Preferred Skills / Prerequisites
Master’s Degree (minimum 6 years of relevant professional work experience) or PhD (desirable, minimum 4 years of relevant professional work experience) in Medical Entomology, or other relevant field.
Professional experience directly related to planning/conducting/overseeing entomological monitoring activities including insectary and mosquito colony maintenance.
Experience with Global Fund and USAID projects is highly desirable.
Experience with malaria vector control Operations including IRS, ITNs, and larval source management (LSM).
Experience interpreting entomological data, developing programmatic recommendations, and communicating effectively with decision-makers and stakeholders in a clear and digestible manner.
Experience in training entomology technicians on entomological monitoring and field activities
Strong management and planning skills in project tasks and budgets.
Experience in regulatory and operational aspects of insecticide use and management.
Demonstrated ability to work with minimal direction and supervision.
Demonstrated ability to work both as a member of a team and as a team leader, with the ability to accept and act upon the inputs of other team members.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal communication, and computer skills.
Fluent in English (both writing and speaking).
Willingness to travel within Zambia.
Priority is given to Zambian citizens.
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
Submit your CV and Application on Company Website : Click Here
Closing Date : 25th July, 2023.
