Entomologist at MSH Tanzania | March 2024
Job Description
About MSH
Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a mission-driven, global nonprofit advisory organization that provides governments, health organizations, and the private sector with the strategies, tools, and management support to deliver high-functioning health systems effectively and efficiently. For more than 50 years, we have focused on the people at the heart of the health system – from health ministries to communities, private sector to civil society – in each environment in which we work, serving as trusted advisors to make foundational changes that support the whole health system. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with countries and communities, MSH helps to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by building strong, resilient, sustainable health systems.
Position: USAID/Tanzania/Entomologist – Malaria Vector Control Activity (MVCA)
About the project
MSH is seeking a Technical Director for the anticipated 5-year USAID Malaria Vector Control Activity designed to identify and implement proven, evidence-based vector control approaches in Tanzania, in support of reducing the overall malaria burden, and moving Tanzania closer to malaria elimination.
This position is subject to project award and funding.
About the role
The Technical Director will provide leadership and management oversight of all the project’s entomological surveillance activities in country, in collaboration with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), coordinate and oversee the project’s key entomological monitoring activities for integrated vector control and will guide key project and country-level vector control decisions based on data analysis and interpretation.
How will you achieve this?
• Lead the development of the entomological monitoring plans in collaboration with National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), in-country malaria vector control partners, research institutions, academia, and private sector actors involved in malaria vector control.
• Establish entomological sentinel sites in selected districts as necessary.
• Monitor vector density and behavior pre- and post-deployment of vector control interventions using World Health Organization (WHO) standard mosquito sampling methods.
• Support human behavior data collection by adapting standard procedures to local context, providing training to data collectors, supervising collection, and leading analysis.
• Conduct wall bioassays on new insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) before distribution to evaluate quality.
• Conduct wall bioassays bi-annually to evaluate insecticidal activity of ITNs.
• Monitor vector susceptibility to currently used and candidate insecticides.
• Conduct or support quality assurance activities for entomology laboratories.
• Assist in developing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and checklists for mosquito collection techniques and disseminating to all in country partners.
• Ensure availability of a susceptible mosquito colony to support quality assurance and susceptibility tests in country.
• Work closely with the MEL Director to prepare appropriate visualizations for reporting purposes.
• Implement capacity-strengthening efforts to increase and expand the skills of local counterparts and field team technicians.
• Prepare entomological monitoring reports, vector control product and delivery quality assurance reports, and insecticide resistance reports.
• Coordinate vector control operational research activities where required.
• Publish results from regular entomological monitoring and operational research activities in peer-reviewed journals.
• Prepare and present abstracts in international vector control and scientific conferences.
This list is not exhaustive, and we would expect our Technical Manager to be both innovative and strategic in suggesting and implementing new methods to achieve the outcomes and impact desired by our client and needed by the people the project aims to serve.
QUALIFICATIONS
What do you need to apply?
MSH employs people of passion, we seek those individuals who dream of a better world. We look for professionals who combine experience, local knowledge, and an understanding of international best practices. Individuals who share our values of treating everyone with respect while being equitable and holding all of us accountable to make an impact.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree + 15 years or master’s degree + 12 years or PhD + 10 years of relevant professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications
• PhD in Medical Entomology, Biosciences, Public Health, Environmental Health, or another relevant field.
• At least 10 years of relevant international health experience, including significant experience in malaria prevention and control.
• Relevant professional work experience with significant amounts of experience directly in Vector Control operations.
• 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 as a team member and leader, with the ability to accept other team members’ inputs.
• Strong project management and planning skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork capacity and produces high quality work in a timely, cost-effective manner and has excellent writing skills.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal communication and computer skills.
• Experience with USAID and donor projects is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English and Swahili
• Local candidates preferred
MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.
