Volunteer, Neglected Tropical Diseases Surveillance at Clinton Health Access Initiative

Description Of Project

The control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) requires timely, high quality data to identify where transmission is occurring, target interventions effectively, and monitor and assess the impact of interventions. Information systems used to collect and analyze NTD data however have several shortcomings that limit the data available for decision-making.

CHAI is currently conducting an assessment (including current strengths and gaps) of data and surveillance systems for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in two selected countries in Africa (Zambia and Kenya) to identify opportunities for further investments. This assessment is intended to lay the foundation for achieving a robust, integrated NTD information system where case data analyzed alongside interventions data can inform where to target NTD interventions, how to plan surveys, and how to estimate the impact of these interventions on NTD case burden.

The Surveillance Assessment Will Include The Following

• Description of NTD government program in selected countries, with specific attention to teams involved in data and surveillance activities (including how many people work in the NTD program, at which level of the health system, integration with other disease programs, expertise, and need for training)
• Description of data and surveillance systems for major NTDs (primarily vector-borne diseases)
• Review of the strengths and gaps of NTD surveillance (for case data and entomological surveillance) to answer the following questions:
  • What major diseases are surveyed
  • What health sectors are involved in surveillance (community, facilities public or private)
  • How case data and entomological data are integrated and how NTDs are integrated with other disease programs for surveillance
  • What are the gaps for data collection, reporting and visualization of collected information
  • What NTD data is used for (e.g. disease monitoring, interventions targeting)
• Document the main NTD interventions (including case management, vector control, and MDA), and assess data-related strengths and gaps for their planning, implementation and monitoring (e.g. how intervention data are collected, reported and used), and consider opportunities for synergies across disease areas
• Describe any operational bottlenecks related to the monitoring and evaluation of interventions and other surveillance activities for NTDs

This opportunity offers highly motivated individuals an opportunity to be exposed to CHAI’s mission and gain practical experiences in surveillance system strengthening. It will also allow individuals to bring new perspectives and innovative ideas into shaping CHAI’s work in a new disease area.

The Volunteer will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, or may be based in another CHAI program country pending country leadership approval.

Surveillance assessment to document current strengths and gaps and provide prioritized recommendations to address these gaps. Activities will include:

• Adapt existing malaria surveillance assessment toolkit for NTDs
• Literature (policy, scientific literature etc.) reviews
• Formulate data collection tools for the surveillance assessment (i.e. questionnaires, interview guides)
• Conduct stakeholder interviews
• Collate information and analyze data from previous surveys or any other quantitative information to complement the qualitative findings
• Formulate report, and present recommendations
• Implement data system improvements in partnership with NTD programs, where allowable in the near-term for immediate benefit
• A strong interest in Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Experience doing literature review, liaising with stakeholders
• Experience around surveillance systems strengthening for any disease/public health area
• Familiarity with data management and data epidemiological analysis using software such as Excel, Access, Stata, etc.
• Experience working in low-resourced settings and/or cross-cultural situations
• English language proficiency
• CHAI places great value on relevant personal qualities including resourcefulness, tenacity, independence, patience, humility, and strong work ethic.