Entomology Manager, Kenya PMI Kinga Malaria at Abt Associates

• Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, and with “dotted line” reporting to the project’s Regional Entomology Advisor, the Entomology Technical Manager provides leadership and management oversight of the project’s entomological surveillance activities in Kenya. Working in collaboration with the Division of National Malaria Program (NMCP), the Entomology Technical Manager shall coordinate and oversee the project’s key entomological monitoring activities for IRS and ITN inclusive of ITN Durability Monitoring and will guide key project and country-level IRS decisions based on data analysis and interpretation. This role requires collaboration with county ministries of health and other relevant implementing partners and stakeholders.

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
• Ensure all entomology activities are conducted within budget, on time and in accordance with USAID and Abt Associates requirements, procedures, and practices such as institution research board approvals, locally, or within Abt or PMI/ CDC.
• Ensures the transfer of technical skills to local institutions.
• Responsible for producing high quality entomological reports, including but not limited to spray quality reports and annual entomology reports.
• Contributes to annual work plan development to ensure budget inputs are accurate and complete.
• Coordinate the implementation of the following set of entomological field activities:
  • The establishment of sentinel sites in each target district
  • Monthly human landing catches, pyrethrum spray catch, CDC light trap and window exit trap collections to monitor vector density and behavior.
  • Support human behavior data collection by adapting standard procedures to local context, providing training to data collectors, supervising collection, and leading analysis.
  • Wall bioassays within two weeks after every spray cycle and on new insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) to evaluate the quality of spraying and products.
  • Wall bioassays monthly in selected districts to evaluate the residual efficacy of insecticide.
  • Monitor vector susceptibility tests to currently use and candidate insecticides on an annual basis.
  • Conduct intensity and synergist assays in sentinel sites selected for insecticide resistance monitoring.
  • Monitor insecticide 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.
• Assist in developing and integrating novel data and sample management solutions.
• Work closely with Entomology MEL Specialist to prepare appropriate visualizations for reporting purposes.
• Assist in developing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and checklists for mosquito collection techniques and disseminating to all in country partners.
• 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.
• Involve and lead the vector control (VC) technical working group at national level to help develop national policies e.g., malaria policy and support malaria program review.
• 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.
• Coordinate vector control operational research activities where required.
• Prepare manuscripts using project entomology data for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Frequent travel to the field required.
• Other duties as assigned.

What We Value
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors + 15 years or Master’s + 12 years or PhD + 10 years

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Medical Entomology, Biosciences, Public Health, Environmental Health or another relevant field.
• At least 10 years of relevant international health experience, including significant experience in malaria prevention and control, especially in a project implementation setting.
• 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 planning and management skills of project staff, timelines, tasks and budgets
• Demonstrates leadership and teamwork.
• 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