Senior Entomologist / NMCP

Description

• Abt Associates, a major American business and government research, technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded Vector Control Task Order 1. Task Order 1 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
• The purpose of this position is to strengthen the capacity of entomological monitoring for malaria vectors of the ministry of health for evidence based planning and implementation. This entails reviewing and updating technical guidelines on all aspects of vector control including LLIN distribution, IRS, and personal protection based on the relevant global and regional generic documents
• Entomological surveillance, vector mapping and insecticide resistance monitoring are the key elements of responsibilities for the candidate. He/she will also provide any other needed support on vector control issues. The position shall be based in the National Malaria Control Program in Maputo. He/she will directly report to the NMCP Director, and is accountable to the Chief of Party

Duties

• Develop the development of annual entomological monitoring plan, provide strategic and analytical direction to the entomology activities in collaboration with host country counterparts
• Support the NMCP in the implementation of the vector control and insecticide resistance management
• Participate in the implementation of entomological field activities, including: vector susceptibility studies for currently used and candidate insecticides for IRS and LLINs in order to monitor resistance status; quality assurance testing of IRS; residual efficacy of insecticides and monitoring of vector abundance and behavior
• Coordinate with entomological implementing partners in Mozambique to ensure routine mosquito collection and data reporting to update malaria risk stratification map
• Coordinate and supervise the implementation of the following set of entomological field activities in all 27 sentinel sites:
• Monitor indoor resting vector population density pre- and post-IRS
• Conduct wall bioassays within two weeks after every spray cycle to evaluate the quality of spraying
• Conduct wall bioassays monthly in selected districts to evaluate the residual efficacy of insecticides
• Monitor vector susceptibility to currently used and candidate insecticides and investigate intensity and mechanisms of resistance where applicable
• Assist in developing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and checklists for mosquito collection techniques and disseminating to all implementers
• Work with the MoH provincial’s vector control units and entomology teams on maintaining the insectaries, namely in Maputo, Quelimane and Cabo Delgado
• Support the transition of the mosquito colony from a Kisumu strain from human feed to an animal house to feed the mosquito colony
• Ensure the colony has enough mosquitoes to run all susceptibility tests and different experiments on adult mosquitoes as required by PMI and the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP).
• Where appropriate, maintain a population of local field- collected mosquitoes for various tests as required
• Train entomology technicians on maintaining mosquito colonies in an insectary, and different sampling techniques for mosquitoes (both adult and larvae) in sentinel sites. Train technicians on identification, storing and transport of mosquito samples from the field to the insectary, ensuring the transfer of technical skills to the provincial and district levels
• Facilitate coordination with other entomological teams in country including the INS, AIRS and CISM entomology teams
• Directly supervise the NMCP’s entomological team
• Provide leadership and support to supervision of provincial and districtl-level field teams of entomological technicians who perform mosquito collections and tests
• Ensure that the field teams follow all WHO approved guidelines, protocols, and techniques for mosquito collections and tests
• Ensure that collected data are recorded on data entry forms, perform mosquito identifications, undertake data analysis, and prepare entomological monitoring and progress reports
• Build capacity of local counterparts and field team technicians through on the job training and other capacity building methods
• Develop training manuals for entomological surveillance in accordance to WHO standards
• Lead the vector control (VC) technical working group at national level to help develop vector control policy and an insecticide resitance management strategy and plan
• Handle requests made to support other activities related to vector control.Lead the development of the annual work plan, technical, and annual reports

Requisites

• Master’s degree (minimum), Doctorate degree (desirable), in Medical Entomology
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant professional work experience with a Master’s Degree, or minimum of 4 years with a Doctorate, including at least 4 years of experience directly related to integrated vector control management, including insectary and mosquito colony
• Experience in training entomology technicians on entomological monitoring and field activities
• Strong management of an insectary and sentinel sites
• Experience with USAID and/or other donor projects desirable
• Fluency in Portuguese and English required
• Experience in regulatory and operational aspects of insecticide use and management
• Demonstrated and acoutability to be supervised while maintaining a good working environment
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal 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
• Demonstrates leadership and team work and produces high quality work in a timely, cost effective manner and has excellent writing skills
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal communication and computer skills

Notes

• Only short listed applicants will be contacted
• Incomplete applications shall not be considered

How to Apply

1. Documentation

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Recent pay slip
• Copy of educational certificates

2. Application

• Send your Documentation via email to VectorControl_Mozambique@abtassoc.com with the Subject line “Senior Entomologist/NMCP”