Senior Technical Advisor, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC)

THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING

The location of this position is yet to be determined and may be one of the following scenarios: based in the US (DC/MD/VA area) for those who already have ability to legally work in the US; global remote; or based out of a yet to be determined country in Sub-Saharan Africa. Qualified African candidates are encouraged to apply.

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of health, emergency, education, agriculture, and capacity strengthening of partners. In 2022, CRS implemented a portfolio of 21 malaria programs globally, in 14 countries (Africa and the Greater Mekong Region).

Job Summary:

CRS seeks a Senior Technical Advisor for Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) & other drug-based chemoprevention for an anticipated USAID-funded Reaching every at-risk community and household with malaria services (REACH Malaria) global program. The purpose of the anticipated contract is to provide implementation support services and technical assistance to countries to accelerate progress in comprehensive delivery of facility and community-based malaria services, including malaria case management, prevention of malaria in pregnancy, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, health systems strengthening, data collection and use for service delivery, and other malaria prevention interventions. CRS will be a sub to a prime organization and this position will be part of the REACH Malaria’s core team.

You will lead strategy development in the field of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and other drug-based chemoprevention interventions on REACH Malaria program globally and provide technical leadership and advice in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to PMI countries to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your expertise, leadership, and influence will be key in determining how effective, adaptive and innovative SMC and other drug-based chemoprevention interventions programming are across in PMI countries.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead design and implementation of global strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in SMC & new drug-based chemoprevention that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Ensure a cross-sectoral approach that integrates gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
• Lead development and advancement of global standards, policies, innovative approaches, tools, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) in SMC & new drug-based chemoprevention, including application of partnership principles. Create quality assurance feedback systems to ensure continual improvement of uptake of chemoprevention activities in designated REACH activities.
• Lead capacity strengthening initiatives in SMC & new drug-based chemoprevention programming for staff and partners through ensuring development of learning agendas/curriculums, organizing and/or facilitating trainings, workshops and conferences, and mentoring and coaching staff in innovative CRS approaches and tools. Provide mentoring and coaching to TAs, as well as CP and regional staff.
• Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance assessment for country program and partner staff.
• Lead the REACH Malaria consortia knowledge management and learning agenda in SMC & new drug-based chemoprevention through setting conditions for collective learning that ensure the capturing, documenting, and sharing of key successes, promising practices, lessons learned, and evidence-based implementation research, internally and externally, including publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Represent REACH Malaria at global forums, UN, Congress, and major donor forums to present REACH Malaria work and research in SMC & new drug-based chemoprevention to influence technical partner approaches, future funding opportunities, and policies. Network with relevant organizations to increase REACH Malaria profile in SMC & new drug-based chemoprevention, influence in the global SMC & new drug-based chemoprevention community, and donor diversification.
• Support the development of localization strategies to help build the capacity of local stakeholders to take an increasing role in the delivery, monitoring, and quality assurance of chemoprevention activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, or other similar program areas required. PhD or equivalent degree (e.g., MD, DrPH, EdD) strongly preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of work experience in public health (preferably in malaria) with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with five years overseas in multiple regions as a technical advisor and/or program manager of a malaria and/or multi-sectoral project with a malaria component.
• Deep understanding and application of technical principles and concepts in SMC & new drug-based chemoprevention. Good knowledge of related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Expertise in the development and production of curricula, tools, and other products to support SMC & new drug-based chemoprevention interventions and programming. Demonstrated experience to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and informal methods.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation including development of indicators, data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Demonstrated experience and skills to represent the REACH Malaria consortia at the highest levels at meetings with donors, government, international NGOs, local partners – faith-based and civil society.
• Understanding of partnership principles.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications and strong understanding of information and budget management systems and knowledge-sharing networks.

Required Languages – English required, and French strongly preferred

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including research publications
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical and/or academic publications highly desirable

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: REACH Malaria Senior Coordinator and other REACH Malaria staff, Senior Technical Advisor for Malaria, other HQ technical staff, regional offices, country programs

External: REACH Malaria Consortia Partners, USAID and PMI, National Malaria Programs, local organization, WHO and other UN agencies, constituent of technical working groups

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

EOE/M/F/D/V – CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)