Visceral Leishmaniasis (Vl) Program Officer Ministry of Health (MOH)
Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
JOB DETAIL
Reports to: Head of the Division of Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases/National NTD Coordinator and to ASCEND Country Lead.
Salary: TBD1. Introduction
Accelerating the Sustainable Control and Elimination of NTDs (ASCEND) is a £200 million invest¬ment from the UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID), to advance the impact and su¬stainability of national programs tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). To be implemented between September 2019 to March 2022, ASCEND comprises of two lots – one focusing on South Asia, East¬ and Southern Africa (lot 1) and the other on West¬ and Central Africa (lot 2).
Salary: TBD1. Introduction
Accelerating the Sustainable Control and Elimination of NTDs (ASCEND) is a £200 million invest¬ment from the UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID), to advance the impact and su¬stainability of national programs tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). To be implemented between September 2019 to March 2022, ASCEND comprises of two lots – one focusing on South Asia, East¬ and Southern Africa (lot 1) and the other on West¬ and Central Africa (lot 2).
ASCEND lot 1 is implemented by a consortium of technical partners led by Crown Agents, including Abt Associates, Oriole Global Health and the Royal Tropical Inst¬itute. Central to ASCEND 1’s approach is a close collaboration with National Governments and other implementing partners, to enhance national approaches to NTD control and elimination.
ASCEND’s goal is to contribute to the global goal of reducing the burden of targeted NTDs so that they are no longer a public health problem.
In Uganda, ASCEND will focus on four NTDS; Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis,Trachoma and Visceral Leishmaniasis anchored on the following broad areas of intervention:
In Uganda, ASCEND will focus on four NTDS; Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis,Trachoma and Visceral Leishmaniasis anchored on the following broad areas of intervention:
- Treatment and prevention of disability, including mass drug administration (MDA), diagnosis and treatment, surgeries, morbidity management.
- Increasing the integration of aspects of NTD programs within the health systems.
- Strengthening national health systems, integrating efforts to strengthen the relevant building blocks of the health system.
- Data for targeting and monitoring, including impact assessment and alignment of NTDs with national and international MEL systems and processes.
- Cross-sectoral collaboration, in particular within the health and WASH/BCC sectors.
DFID has contracted Crown Agents together with its consortium partners to act as Fund Manager for ASCEND in Uganda. Therefore, Crown Agents will work with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to support the immediate procurement of services from Implementing Partners (IPs) that will further the above-stated objectives of ASCEND in the country.
The primary function of the VL Program Officer is to provide support to the National VL Program Manager. The officer will be based in the Karamoja region. The main activities of the VL program officer include; planning, implementation, capacity building, supervision, data retrieval and reporting. The administrator must ensure activities are done accurately and timely as planned.
To achieve the above, the administrator will work closely with the NTD VL Program Manager, National NTD Coordinator, ASCEND Country Lead, Finance Officer, Data Manager and MEL Officer to support effective incorporation of VL treatments into the health systems. The VL Program Officer will be reporting to the head of the Division of Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases (DVB&NTD) who is also the National NTD Program Manager and to ASCEND Country Lead.
The VL Program Administrator will be responsible for the following;
- Support MoH in designing VL diagnosis algorithm to be used in case finding and referral to health facility for case confirmation and treatment
- Participate in program planning including quantification of VL requirements such as drugs, diagnostics and other supplies.
- Training health workers in VL diagnosis and management and supervise them
- Support districts and MoH in developing annual VL work plans.
- Participate in VL national meetings/workshops.
- Prepare Program briefs, presentations and other summary materials for National NTD Coordinator, VL Program Manager and ASCEND Country Lead.
- Write reports including best practices and lessons learned and maintain project files for technical deliverables.
- Work with the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer and District Biostatisticians to ensure VL indicators are captured in the NTD M&E plan and DHIS2.
- Contribute to writing success stories and articles for publication in the media, on ASCEND and MoH websites.
Position Requirements
Masters, 5 to 6 Years work experience
3. Key Requirements
Education & Related Experience:
1. Minimum of Bachelors degree in Medicine or Public Health from a recognized University.
2. At least 3 years’ experience in community-based health program management.Added advantages:
1. Masters degree in Public Health or postgraduate diploma in Public Health
2. Fluent in speaking Karamajong
3. Demonstrated Knowledge of protection, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation and the field of safeguarding
4. The successful candidate should be willing to reside in Karamoja.4. Skills (Special Training or competences)1. Ability to build strong working relationships to enable effective management of community-based programs and partnerships.
2. Ability to work in hard-to-reach areas with marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
3. Ability to interact with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, and be proactive, resourceful and efficient, with a high level of professionalism.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
5. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
6. Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Education & Related Experience:
1. Minimum of Bachelors degree in Medicine or Public Health from a recognized University.
2. At least 3 years’ experience in community-based health program management.Added advantages:
1. Masters degree in Public Health or postgraduate diploma in Public Health
2. Fluent in speaking Karamajong
3. Demonstrated Knowledge of protection, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation and the field of safeguarding
4. The successful candidate should be willing to reside in Karamoja.4. Skills (Special Training or competences)1. Ability to build strong working relationships to enable effective management of community-based programs and partnerships.
2. Ability to work in hard-to-reach areas with marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
3. Ability to interact with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, and be proactive, resourceful and efficient, with a high level of professionalism.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
5. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
6. Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
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