Angola Technical Advisor–(Fluent Portuguese/English) At Carter Center

Technical Advisor, Angola (Fluent in Portuguese and English)

Background:

The Carter Center supports the Angola Guinea Worm Eradication Program. Technical Advisors (TAs) provide technical and managerial support (on behalf of The Carter Center) to the Ministry of Health, Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) within a specific coverage area (municipality/province). TAs are responsible for the implementation and oversight of all interventions to stop guinea worm disease transmission within their given program coverage area.

Primary responsibilities are:

1. Support and/or establish a volunteer-based surveillance system in villages and non-village areas to be placed under active community-based surveillance.

2.) Manage 30-40 field-level staff to implement interventions to stop guinea worm transmission. Field staff management includes training, planning, and direct field-level supervision. 80% of TAs’ time is spent with field staff in villages working in a supportive/supervisory capacity. Field staff responsibilities, which technical advisors supervise, include:

a. Maintenance and supervision of volunteer-based surveillance system including:
i. Daily village volunteer and weekly area supervisor village visits
ii. Community mobilization for intervention implementation / health education
iii. Accurate recording of case/infection information in village surveillance books
iv. Hold community meetings for volunteer selection
v. Train volunteer staff
vi. Conduct monthly meetings with volunteer staff

b. Intervention implementation through volunteer network with direct supervision
i. Distribution of cloth and pipe filters
ii. Health education and training on cloth and pipe filter use / care and Guinea Worm transmission / prevention
iii. Village based containment of guinea worm cases/infections: daily treatment, health education, prevention of patients from entering water sources, case detection, and case confirmation

c. Application of chemical larvicide (Abate) to targeted water sources, including measurement of water sources and correct summary of location information.

d. Support establishment, supervision, and monitoring of proactive tethering initiative in domesticated dogs and cats.

e. Conduct village-level supervisory visits with a focus on endemic/1+ villages based on needs, planning calendars, and program guidelines

f. Oversee monthly summary of village-level case and summary data for submission to appropriate entities, and ensure 100% of villages report monthly.

g. Collection of geographic coordinates (GPS) for mapping.

h. Maintain positive relationships and share relevant information with community leaders and local authorities.

i. Communicate effectively with and coordinate with municipal, provincial, and national authorities regarding the status and needs of the GWEP.

j. Maintain positive relationships and collaboration with partners (NGO, Institutions, etc.)

3.) Oversee transportation resources (motorcycles and vehicle) and supplies (intervention materials, compound supplies), including vehicle maintenance record sheets and supply inventories.

4.) Oversee all technical aspects of GWD eradication, including surveillance, implementation of interventions used to interrupt transmission of GWD, and staff compliance with the Angola GWEP operational guidelines.

5.) Develop an effective relationship with residents of endemic communities to engage their active participation in the eradication of GWD, including their participation in: 1) keeping residents/visitors with the disease from contaminating sources of drinking water, 2) ensuring all residents always filter all drinking water, and 3) promptly reporting any cases of GWD in their community.

6.) Support advocacy for the provision and or rehabilitation of safe sources of drinking water.

7.) Submit monthly data and technical reports.

8.) Support budget development and management in the coverage area.

9.) Develop coverage-level area workplans, in coordination with appropriate partners/government institutions.

10.) Support development and endorsement of GW technical SOPs and guidelines, as requested.

11.) Support data collection, screening, and submission.

12.) Coordinate and conduct assessments, surveys, and GW case searches, as requested.

13.) Reside full time in rural, remote field settings: 80% of time spent working within villages. Must be willing and able to walk long distances, perform effectively in a rural remote environment with limited access to resources / infrastructure, and support spending a minimum of 80% of time outdoors in a hot climate.

14.) Must be able to work hard and make responsible, effective decisions in a challenging environment.

TAs are supervised by the Carter Center’s Country Representative, and under the overall supervision of the National Coordinator.

TAs are independent contractors and as such are offered short term contracts up to 180 days (6 months). A contractor may be offered multiple successive contracts over time. The contract provides a daily honorarium commensurate with experience and education. The daily honorarium can vary; however, the starting rate per day is usually US$175.00. The contract also provides a daily rate to provide for accommodation, meals and incidentals. The transportation costs (transatlantic flights, in-country flights and land movement) are provided as well.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• At least 2 years of public health experience with community-based programs, preferably in Africa. MPH preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with preparing technical reports, budgets, plans of action, and management of inventories.
• Demonstrated ability to build teams and promote a sense of teamwork.

• Ability to make sound work judgments under difficult conditions and to become technically efficient with minimal level of attention from supervisors.
• Sound personal and professional conduct and respect for the work of The Carter Center, the Angolan Ministry of Health, and partners.
• TAs are assigned to remote areas where disease transmission is endemic, and must be prepared to work and live in such areas.
• Fluent in written and spoken Portuguese and English.