Technical Officer, Malaria Diagnostics

JOB PURPOSE

Amref Health Africa (Amref) is seeking 2 Technical Officers for Malaria Diagnostics, with one position based in Nairobi, Kenya, and the other in Kisumu, Kenya. These roles are part of the USAID-funded global project, PMI REACH Malaria, aimed at delivering malaria services to every at-risk community and household. PMI REACH Malaria aims to provide implementation support services and technical assistance to countries to accelerate progress in comprehensive delivery of facility and communitybased malaria services, including malaria case management, prevention of malaria in pregnancy (MiP), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), health systems strengthening, data collection and use for service delivery, and other malaria prevention interventions. The Technical Officer, Malaria Diagnostics, will report to the Amref Technical Advisor, Malaria Diagnostics, who will provide technical oversight and programme management for implementation of the scope of work for malaria diagnostics, as outlined in the PMI REACH Malaria Kenya Annual Workplan.

S/he will work in close collaboration with the PMI REACH Malaria Kenya project team, including other Technical Advisors and Technical Officers to contribute to continuity across programme implementation areas and service delivery, with an emphasis on malaria diagnostics, malaria case management, supportive supervision, quality improvement systems and training and orientation systems. The Technical Officer, Malaria Diagnostics, will also work closely with the Amref Regional Laboratory technical and programme staff to ensure comprehensive technical and programmatic support for the PMI REACH Malaria project. S/he will be responsible for the development, implementation, and monitoring of the project’s malaria diagnostics workplan activities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical assistance in the development and/or revision of national malaria diagnostic policies and guidelines, their dissemination and implementation.
• Provide support to the planning and implementation of national and subnational quality assurance mechanisms, including proficiency testing for malaria blood slides and rapid diagnostic tests (mRDT), slide rechecking and on-site technical support supervision.
• Provide technical support to developing and implementing in-service capacity building activities in laboratory diagnostics within the country, including refresher training and national and international competence assessments.
• Provide technical support to review of relevant pre-service training curricula and requirements for strengthening pre-service training in malaria diagnostics.
• Support in development and implementation of plans to address gaps and challenges identified during supervision, training activities and proficiency testing outcomes.
• Introduce and/or review laboratory diagnostic components in existing MOH supervisory tools to strengthen integrated systems for supervision.
• Ensure alignment of reported malaria diagnostic activities with MOH reporting and M&E frameworks.
• Maintain a database of diagnostic facilities, and trained diagnostics personnel and their key competencies.
• Actively liaise with the Division of Malaria Control Programme (DMCP) staff to ensure representation on relevant technical working groups, and to provide updates on project diagnostic activities.
• Present programme activities and results to the DMCP and other stakeholders as required.
• Assist the country project team in the preparation of technical reports, work planning, budgets and other documents, as required.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES

Education and Experience

• Minimum Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences or Higher Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Must be registered and licensed by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board
• Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience providing technical assistance and in project management in malaria and/or other public health programmes.
• Experience in providing technical assistance, supervision, mentorship and capacity building in malaria diagnostics, including knowledge of laboratory quality management systems and quality assurance.
• Experience in managing and/or providing technical assistance to the Division of Malaria Control Programme and County Health Departments.
• Experience with health information systems including Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) and Quality Assurance Information System (QAIMS).
• Excellent understanding and management of USAID programmes Certification in the WHO External Competency Assessment of Malaria Microscopists (ECAMM) programme.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Medical laboratory technical skills including internal quality control (QC), external quality assessment (EQA) and management of proficiency testing schemes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate, familiar with programmes for word-processing, spreadsheets, database management, presentations, and electronic communication.
• Self-motivated and diligent.
• Strong organizational skills, responsible, and reliable.
• Ability to work in multi-cultural teams.
• Ethical conduct, able to maintain confidentiality and work with integrity.
• Able to work within tight deadlines.
• Willing to spend up to 30% of the time out of station assessing progress and taking corrective actions.