Overview

Technical Lead, Malawi, Global Health

Location:
16 Moir Crescent, Plot B376 Kristwick
Blantyre, 32, 9000
Malawi

POSITION TYPE: Full Time, Local Hire

DURATION: 1 year with extension

LOCATION: Malawi

POSITION TITLE: Technical Lead

DIVISION: Global Health

Project HOPE is an international NGO with employees and volunteers who work around the globe, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 60-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients, provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up, and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

          

BACKGROUND:

Currently, Project HOPE is looking for a Senior Technical Manager for a GAVI HPV Vaccine Program in Malawi.  The GAVI Request for Proposals for provision of Technical Assistance for HPV Vaccine Program planning and implementation in eligible countries aims to accelerate the number of girls reached with HPV vaccination. The following objectives of the revitalization have been set: 1) accelerate quality introductions; 2) rapidly improve global and national coverage; and 3) generate long term programmatic sustainability through building and integrating HPV vaccination within routine delivery mechanisms and into Primary Health Care (PHC). The program will be implemented across four countries total (Haiti, Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi).

 

This position is contingent on award. Malawian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply. 

 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Technical Lead will provide vision, leadership, and direction to ensure the strategic, programmatic, technical, and financial integrity of the project in their country of focus. The technical lead will be responsible for overseeing the technical components of the program, including evidence analysis and decision making; developing vaccine introduction and implementation plans; creating training materials; epidemiological assessments; establishing vaccination campaigns, and routine immunization strengthening. S/he will provide technical support for the following activities: Provide technical assistance for training of health workers and teachers during the introduction of HPV vaccine; Provide technical support to monitoring of routine delivery of HPV vaccine in schools and health facilities with the purpose of increasing immunisation coverage; In collaboration with other partners monitor the implementation of immunization services at all level to ensure compliance with policies and guidelines; and assist in vaccine management and supply chain, among others. S/he will provide technical assistance to local implementing partners and government counterparts to build local capacity for implementation of evidence-based vaccine interventions.

 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Technical

• Specific roles and responsibilities of the Senior Technical Manager, HPV program will primarily focus on introducing the HPV decision making, planning and implementation activities which include:
• Provide overall guidance on data and evidence to support prioritization of vaccine introductions/campaigns, product choice and vaccination schedule.
• Provide overall strategic guidance and work with the Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP) to Support for decision-making within wider health sector priorities and strategies.
• Support for decision-making within wider health sector priorities and strategies.
• Engage with NITAG, HSCC/ICC and other high-level stakeholders and in-country decision making bodies to discuss technical issues.
• Support costing or cost effectiveness analysis to support decision-making.
• Provide guidance on comprehensive, multisectoral, cervical cancer control and HIV/AIDS, school and non-school based strategies.
• Support development of application requesting vaccine and vaccine introduction grant (VIG)/operational costs support (OPs) for New Vaccine Support (NVS) or Switch grant funding; missed cohorts up to 18-years-old.
• Assist the MSPP with program planning and preparation (routine intros and MAC catch ups). Including:
• Support countries in the development of detailed introduction/implementation/switch plan(s) within wider operational planning processes.
• Supporting countries in development of training materials.
• Coordinate, review and validate planning tools, such as introduction readiness tool or SIA readiness assessment tool.
• Social mobilization, advocacy and communications. Map and lead local partners in community engagement, social mobilization, and communication.
• Logistic and vaccine and other supplies management.
• Develop and prepare logistic and cold chain plans including improvements, vaccine, and other supplies distribution plan.
• Assist in the implementation of logistic, cold chain and supply distribution plan.
• Assist with vaccine distribution.
• Collaborate with PAHO, UNICEF, MSPP, departmental governments, and other key Ministries in Malawi for effective planning and implementation of HPV vaccine program.
• Serve as a focal person for Project HOPE’s HPV vaccine-related work in the region.
• Execute addition responsibility given by supervisor.

 

MINIMUM REQUIRED SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health Officer or BSc nursing or master’s degree in public health or related field.
• Minimum five (10) years’ experience for first degree and five (5) years for master’s degree in public health programming, with experience in the area of immunization and maternal/child health programs and new vaccine introduction.
• Proven ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with government, partners, donors and international organizations at various levels.
• Experience in facilitating meetings and moderating complex discussions with a variety of stakeholders (including religious and clan leaders) preferred.
• Ability to be effective in high-pressure situations, handles multiple tasks simultaneously, and set priorities and work under minimal/remote supervision.
• Skilled in successfully working with geographically dispersed teams and working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including cross-cultural teams.
• Experience in using Microsoft offices (power point, outlook, excel and word) and statistical packages like Epi info, SPSS, STATA and other apps like ODK.
• Excellent  written and oral communication skills in English and French is mandatory.
• Knowledge of the political, social, economic, and cultural context of regions.
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to travel to departments, estimated to be about 60%.

CHARACTERISTICS/TRAITS:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills that allow for productive cooperation with duty station employees and regional teams.
• Proficiency in team motivation, including presentations, training, mentoring, and skill transfer.
• Excellent fluency in written and verbal communication
• Able to lead a team or project, manage several priorities, and operate with little guidance or supervision.
• Demonstratable critical and creative thinking skills.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:   

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment.
• Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form.

Work environment:

• May experience the current weather while performing job duties.
• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.
• Expect to travel fifty percent or more of the time.
• Project HOPE employees work in the global health field and may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship”.

Due to the substantial number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.