Job Summary

Position: Malaria Case Management Officer [Malaria Diagnostic] – 1 Post

Reports To: Technical Advisor - Case Management & Malaria in Pregnancy

Work Station: Dar es Salaam

Apply By: September 25, 2023

Institute Overview

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is a leading research organization in Africa with a strong track record in developing, testing and validating innovations for health. Driven by a core strategic mandate for research, training and services, the Institute’s work now spans a wide spectrum, covering biomedical and ecological sciences, intervention studies, health-systems research, service delivery and policy translation. 

Position Summary

Ifakara Health Institute seeks a Technical Officer to join the PMI | Tanzania Malaria Surveillance Activity (Shinda Malaria) team. The Technical officer will provide technical and programmatic support in malaria case management (MCM) and malaria in pregnancy (MiP) services, with a primary focus on malaria diagnostics. Occasionally the incumbent will have to travel outside Dar es Salaam region and work within the Shinda Malaria supported regions and the NMCP’s malaria sentinel sites where Therapeutic Efficacy Studies (TES) are being conducted. The Officer will ensure the technical and methodological soundness of malaria diagnostic activities at both facility and community levels. The Officer will work closely with Technical Advisors (TAs) to ensure the above activities are successfully implemented, monitored, and reported. The Officer will also maintain good working relationships and collaboration with project stakeholders including healthcare workers, R/CHMT members, and other partners.

The Shinda Malaria Activity is a five-year program (August 2022 – August 2027) implemented by Ifakara Health Institute, which supports the Government of Tanzania (GOT) in reducing malaria burden and in moving towards malaria elimination. The Activity is made possible by the support of the American people through the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Shinda Malaria project works with the GOT to reduce malaria burden and move towards the longterm goal of malaria elimination―while achieving USAID’s strategy to support institutional growth and capacity development for local institutions. Shinda Malaria will address the urgent healthcare needs of malaria at-risk populations, especially vulnerable pregnant women and children under five, and support Tanzania partners to grow and execute malaria programs sustainably and successfully.

The Shinda Malaria project will primarily work to support both facility- and community-based malaria activities in all councils of Kagera region, as well as making contributions to the national malaria priorities through the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee laboratory technical activities and ensure high quality of project implementation in Katavi, Kagera and the NMCP’s malaria sentinel sites.
• Provision of overall technical leadership and supervision on malaria diagnostic activities including quality assurance/quality control for both mRDT and Malaria microscopy.
• Provision of technical assistance to the MOH/NMCP on malaria diagnosis including training, development of training manuals and materials as well as of SOPs.
• Assist in the dissemination of the malaria case management (diagnostic and treatment) policy.
• Provide Case Management training and continued adaptation of materials for the enhanced case management (clinical and diagnostic) supervision process.
• Coordination and participation in evaluations related to improved malaria diagnostic services.
• Participating in all matters related to the development or improvement of the national laboratory policies and guidelines addressing malaria diagnostics and their utilization.
• Participating in strengthening national quality assurance structures, systems and programs for laboratory staff to support malaria diagnostic activities.
• Provide Case Management training and continued adaptation of materials for the enhanced case management (clinical and diagnostic) supervision process.
• Work closely with IHI Bagamoyo Lab Manager to facilitate Molecular biological analyses for Shinda Malaria.
• Provide support in the designing, training and implementation of malaria molecular and parasitological studies.

Qualification and Experience

• At least a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences. A master’s degree in the related field will be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in malaria, especially on diagnosis.
• Holders of the WHO External Competency Assessment of Malaria Microscopy (WHO-ECAMM) are highly encouraged to apply.
• Experience in project management, particularly for donor-funded projects.
• Experience in writing scientific reports, manuscripts and peer-reviewed publications.

 Skills and Competencies

• Ability to work in a team and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues and the host government.
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity in regional/councils and service providers in the areas of malaria case management and malaria in pregnancy.
• Self-management is necessary (i.e. motivation, dealing with pressure, adaptability).
• Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence.
• Be cooperative, competent, hardworking, flexible and dependable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Fluent in Kiswahili and English.
• Demonstrated skills in both English written and oral communication.
• High level of integrity, commitment and team working spirit.
• Computer literacy, particularly in the use of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint Experience.
• Adhere to IHI core values (Integrity, Initiative, Equity, Excellence, Accountability).

Remuneration

An attractive and competitive remuneration package will be offered to successful candidates as per IHI salary scales.

Equal Opportunity

IHI is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit intentional biases or discrimination and harassment of any kind at the work place and during recruitment. All employment decisions are based solely on job requirements and individual qualifications, and our recruitment process is governed by the labour laws of Tanzania.

Mode of Application

All candidates who meet the above job requirements should send their application letters together with their detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) showing contact addresses including email, telephone/cell phone numbers and copies of academic and professional certificates to the email address below. 

The deadline for this application is 17:00hrs on Monday, September 25^th 2023. All e-mail application subject lines should include: MALARIA CASE MANAGEMENT OFFICER (DIAGNOSTIC) – SHINDA MALARIA, Dar. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. 

Human Resources Manager 

IFAKARA HEALTH INSTITUTE

#5 Ifakara Street Plot 463 Mikocheni  

P.O. Box 78,373 

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Email: recruitment@ihi.or.tz