November 4th, 2021 at 08:51 am
Job Description
Opportunity Summary
Abt Associates, a major American business and government research, technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded Vector Control Task Order 1, the PMI VectorLink Project.
The project will support the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control approach with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria.
Abt has implemented indoor residual spraying (IRS) for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality IRS programs and gathering the most comprehensive vector control entomological data in the world.
Under this contract, Abt will expand entomological monitoring to guide programs focused on insecticide-treated mosquito nets and IRS and continue to assist PMI in reducing the burden of malaria through IRS and capacity building in 22 African countries where malaria is endemic.
Abt also will continue to support PMI in IRS monitoring and evaluation, as well as environmental compliance.
In Ghana, under the supervision of the Chief of Party and in collaboration with NMCP, the Technical Manager, an entomologist, will provide technical leadership, management, and oversight of the project’s key entomological monitoring activities for integrated vector control and will guide key vector control decisions based on data analysis and interpretation.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
- Leads the development of national entomological monitoring plan in collaboration with NMCP, in- country malaria vector control partners, research institutes, universities and private sector involved in malaria vector control.
- Prepare project comprehensive annual entomological monitoring plan.
- In collaboration with COP and home office entomology advisor, lead development of entomological section of the work plan and associated budget
- Reviews the content of communications materials for technical accuracy.
- Coordinate the implementation of the following set of entomological activities:
- The establishment of entomological sentinel sites in selected districts.
- Monitor vector density and behavior pre- and post-deployment of vector control interventions using World Health Organization (WHO) standard mosquito sampling methods
- Conduct wall bioassays within two weeks after every spray cycle and on new insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) before distribution to evaluate the quality spray and products.
- Conduct wall bioassays monthly in selected districts to evaluate the residual efficacy of sprayed insecticides and bi-annually to evaluate insecticidal activity of ITNs.
- Monitor vector susceptibility tests to currently use and candidate insecticides on annual basis. Conduct intensity and synergist assays in sentinel sites selected for insecticide resistance monitoring.
- Work with identified entomology laboratories to facilitate the work and obtain result of molecular and bio-chemical analysis data
- Assist in developing and updating standard operating procedures and checklists for mosquito collection techniques and disseminating to all in country partners.
- Ensure availability of susceptible mosquito colony to support quality assurance and susceptibility tests in country.
- Train entomology technicians on maintaining mosquito colonies in an insectary, different field mosquito sampling techniques for both adult and larvae, on species identification, preserving, storing and transport of mosquito samples from the field to the insectary or entomological work stations.
- Ensure that the field teams follow all WHO, CDC and PMI approved guidelines, protocols, and techniques for mosquito collections and tests.
- Ensure that all data from all collection activities are recorded on data entry forms accurately and captured in the project database
- Perform mosquito identifications, undertake data analysis. and prepare monitoring reports.
- Implement capacity-building efforts to increase and expand the skills of local counterparts and field team technicians.
- Prepare semi-annual and annual entomological monitoring reports, quality assurance reports for vector control products and delivery, and insecticide resistance reports.
- Involve in the design and execution of vector biology and supervision of operational research activities.
- Contribute to innovations in entomological monitoring and vector control activities and preparation of concept notes for operational research
- Publish results from regular entomological monitoring and operational research activities in peer -reviewed journal.
- Prepare and present abstracts in international vector control, entomology, and other scientific conferences.
- Perform any other duty assigned by the Chief of Party.
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters Degree (minimum), or a PhD (desirable) in Entomology
- At least eight years of relevant professional work experience with significant amounts of experience directly in malaria vector control, preferably in .
- Experience in regulatory and operational aspects of insecticide use and management
- Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of direction and supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to work both as a member of a team and as a team leader, with the ability to accept the inputs of other team members.
- Strong management and planning skills of project tasks and budgets.
- Demonstrates leadership and team work and produces high quality work in a timely, cost effective manner
- Demonstrated strong writing skills
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal communication and computer skills.
- Experience with USAID and donor projects is highly desirable.
- English language fluency.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Ten years of relevant experience, or PhD+ Eight years of relevant experience#
Method of Application
Click here to read more and apply
Closing Date: 4th December 2021
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.
About Us
The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries.
We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance—as well as in international evaluation.
Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management.
In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.
At Abt Associates, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes.
We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve.
Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.