Job Title: Entomology Technical Manager
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.
Under the supervision of the Kenya Chief of Party and with
“dotted line” reporting to the PMI VectorLink Project’s UK-based Entomology
Advisor, the Entomology Technical Manager provides leadership and management
oversight of all of the project’s entomological surveillance activities in
Kenya, in collaboration with the Division of National Malaria Program (NMCP),
coordinate and oversee the project’s key entomological monitoring activities
for IRS plus ITN Durability Monitoring and will guide key project and
country-level IRS decisions based on data analysis and interpretation.
Key Roles and
Responsibilities
·
Leads the development of an entomological monitoring plan, in
collaboration with national counterparts at the DNMP or designated research
institution
·
Reviews the content of communications materials for technical
accuracy
·
Manages field-based entomology teams and molecular laboratory
analysis of mosquito samples to ensure monthly data collection, data quality
and control
·
Ensures the transfer of technical skills to local institutions
·
Responsible for producing high quality entomological reports,
including spray quality reports
·
Coordinate the implementation of the following set of
entomological field activities:
·
The establishment of sentinel sites in each target district
·
Monthly pyrethrum spray catch, CDC light trap and window exit
trap collections to monitor indoor resting and host-seeking vector populations
·
Wall bioassays after every spray cycle to evaluate the quality
of spraying
·
Wall bioassays monthly in selected districts to evaluate the
residual efficacy of insecticide
·
Vector susceptibility studies annually for all currently used
and candidate insecticides in order to monitor resistance status and resistance
mechanisms
·
Provide guidance and support to a focal counterpart from the
MOH/DNMP or research institution for the supervision of district-level field
teams of entomological technicians or vector control officers 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 all data from all collection activities are recorded
on data entry forms, perform mosquito identification, and undertake data
analysis and prepare monitoring reports
·
Implement capacity-building efforts to increase and expand the
skills of local counterparts and field team technicians
·
Ensure that ITN durability monitoring studies are done according
to WHO protocols and to prepare high quality reports of these studies
·
Develop capacity of community-based entomological collectors
while working closely with county entomology staff.
·
Establish a new molecular laboratory for entomological analysis
(PCR and ELISA) with a partner institution.
·
Work closely with DNMP and consultants to oversee and manage the
preparation of updated national guideline documents such as Insecticide
Resistance Management, Integrated Vector
·
Management documents and Vector Surveillance documents
·
Prepare manuscripts using project entomology data for
publication in peer-reviewed journals
Preferred Skills /
Prerequisites
·
Masters Degree (minimum),or a PhD (desirable) in Entomology
·
Minimum six (6) years of relevant professional work experience
with significant amounts of experience directly in Vector Control
·
Experience conducting ITN durability monitoring studies
·
Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of 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
·
Strong management and planning skills of project tasks and
budgets
·
Demonstrates leadership and team work and produces high quality
work in a timely, cost effective manner and has excellent writing skills
·
Should have some previous experience conducting PCR for mosquito
species identification, detection of resistance mechanisms and sporozoite
ELISA.
·
Excellent organizational, interpersonal communication and
computer skills
·
Experience with USAID and donor projects is highly desirable
·
English language fluency
Minimum Qualifications
·
(6+) years of experience and a master degree OR the equivalent
combination of education and experience.
How to Apply
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity
employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce.
Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and
comprehensive employee benefits.
Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt Associates
will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
Applicants may apply by visiting www.abtassociates.com/careers