Technical Advisor Position (Consultancy), The Carter Center support to the Chad Guinea Worm Eradication Program
Technical Advisors (TAs) provide technical and managerial support (on behalf of The Carter Center) to the Ministry of Health, Republic of Chad, Guinea Worm Eradication Program (CGWEP) within a specific coverage area (district/region). 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.) 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 technical advisors’ 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 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: daily treatment, health education, prevention of patients from entering water sources, case detection, and case confirmation
c. Application of chemical larvaecide (Abate), including measurement of water sources and correct summary of information
d. Village level supervisory village visits with a focus on endemic villages based on needs, planning calendars, and program guidelines
e. Oversee monthly summary of village-level case and summary data into carbonized forms for submission to sub-offices to ensure 100% of villages report monthly
f. Collection of geographic coordinates for mapping
g. Maintain positive relationships and share relevant information with community leaders and local authorities.
2.) Oversight of transportation resources (motorcycles and vehicle) and supplies (intervention materials, compound supplies) including vehicle maintenance record sheets and supply inventories.
3.) Oversight of all technical aspects of GWD eradication, including surveillance, implementation of interventions used to interrupt transmission of GWD, and staff compliance with the CGWEP operational guidelines.
4.) Development an effective relationship with residents of endemic communities to engage their active participation in the eradication of GWD, including their participation in: 1) keep residents/visitors with the disease from contaminating sources of drinking water, 2) ensure all residents always filter all drinking water, and 3) promptly report any cases of GWD in their community.
5.) Effective communication and coordination with local, county, state, and national authorities regarding the status and needs of the GWEP, particularly advocacy for the provision and or rehabilitation of safe sources of drinking water.
6.) Full time in rural remote field settings, eighty percent 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 to spend a minimum of eighty percent of time outdoors in a hot climate.
7.) Ability to work and make responsible, effective decisions in a challenging environment
TAs are supervised by the National Coordinator of the CGWEP and The Carter Center’s Country Representative.
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 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.
Other requirements are:
• At least 2 years of public health experience with community-based programs, preferably in Africa. MPH preferred
• Demonstrated experience with the preparation of technical reports, budgets, plans of action, and management of inventories.
• Demonstrated ability to build team work.
• Ability to make sound work judgments under difficult conditions, and to become technically effective with minimal level of attention from supervisors.
• Sound personal and professional conduct, and respect for the work of The Carter Center and of the Chad Ministry of Health.
• 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 French is imperative, and intermediate English skills that will support necessary communication is a plus.
How to apply
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to guineaworm.recruitment@cartercenter.org. Subject line ought to include: Application Chad Technical Advisor Position. All documents ought to be in Microsoft word (.doc, .docx) or PDF format. Materials in other formats or applications without required materials will not be considered. In the body of the e-mail, please indicate where you saw the job posting.
Only finalists will be contacted.