Jobs at Amref Health Africa

Background

Background Amref Health Africa in Kenya with the funding from the End Fund will be implementing the schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths elimination project in Vihiga, Bungoma, Kakamega and Trans-nzoia counties. This project contributes to the goals of breaking the transmission strategy which is to safely stop Mass Drug Administration (MDA) as a result of reduced prevalence and intensity by 2023.

Main Purpose of Job

The Programme Manager, will drive and implement high Neglected Tropical diseases(NTD) programming through the provision of technical guidance and capacity building of staff and implementing providers;
build strategic partnership

Activities

• Provide effective management, coordination and technical advice to support the WASH & NTD programme to deliver NTD targets through quality service delivery.
• Support county teams to establish and maintain effective relationships with the Ministry of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and county governments and other partners in order to advance sustainable national plans and integrate them into the existing public health delivery systems.
• Identify, develop and evaluate new approaches and tools, to support national scale-up of STH/SCH management and mass drug administrations.
• Collaborate with the team to develop and maintain relationships with donors, consortium partners, internal staff, and consultants to provide quick and accurate program and financial information as needed.
• Ensure the progress of all reports for assigned portfolio is accurately tracked to ensure timely submission of high-quality reports to donors.
• Prepare and/or finalize budget narratives for annual program budgets and proposals. Monitor expenditures and forecasts on a monthly basis.
• Manage direct report staff and provide clear direction to team members.
• 3. Key area activity – Monitoring and Evaluation

Activities

• Lead on supporting country and county teams in developing a system for monitoring and evaluating NTD programme performance.
• Develop data quality assessment tools for various NTD program activities.
• Lead in the preparation of work plans, budgets, M&E plans and performance frameworks for the project
• Preparation of technical monthly, quarterly, annual and ad hoc reports relating to the project as per donor requirements as well as for internal purposes.
• Lead in operations research, document and share results for advocacy in order to influence relevant policies and practices.
• Provide leadership in the documentation of best practice models in the
• Project, working with relevant departments within Amref.
• Lead the project staff to document and disseminate best practices and lessons learnt
• Liaise with the M&E and communications team to increase visibility of the project and WASH & NTD as a whole.

Key area activity – Advocacy and Strategic Alliances

Activities

1. Build and maintain meaningful working relationships with a variety of partners and other stakeholders at National and County level in order to strengthen opportunities for advocacy and higher visibility.
2. Develop relationships with other partners to support funding and delivery of services, including NGOs in the WASH sector
3. Represent Amref at appropriate national/regional/global forums.
4. Ensure NTD programme information flow is maintained across National,
5. County and other key partners.
6. Establish and maintain partnerships and networking with relevant stakeholders including but not limited to donors, relevant Government Ministries and NGOs.

Key area activities – Partnerships and Business Development

Activities

• Provide assistance in identifying possible funding sources to support programme delivery and work with other colleagues and partners to secure those funds.
• Work with Business development unit for new NTD project design and donor engagements
• Explore in-country networks and consortia to enhance WASH & NTD capacity for program delivery and expand funding base
• Participate in the development of new concepts and proposals for fundraising.
• Participate in the development and implementation of fundraising strategies to grow the WASH & NTD programmatic and financial portfolio.
• Maintain ongoing communication with potential partners and other key stakeholders to identify and pursue growth opportunities

Key area activity – Research

Activity

• Provide direction and support to assist country research teams and help them to identify operational research opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of NTD elimination efforts.
• Assist project teams and MoH in disseminating information on NTD activities, studies, research and lessons learned at County, national and international level.
• Work in close collaboration with Amref research unit to ensure that projects conduct research for international peer reviewed publication.
• Work with global research team to optimize the research finding in place, carry out new research and enhance publication of findings internally and globally.

Required qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of Medical/Health degree and a Master’s Degree in public health or a related field.
• 8 years relevant work experience in Public Health management; 5+ years should be dedicated to provision of program and management backstopping to donor-funded public health projects.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, administrative, and financial management systems.
• Knowledgeable about current implementation science and state-of-the-art delivery approaches.
• Prior experience with NTDs is an added advantage.
• Proven management experience in supervision of staff in cross functional teams.
• Fluency in English language required.
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills and the ability to interact effectively with others, both internally and externally.
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to perform multiple tasks and meet critical deadlines while maintaining accuracy and quality.

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Background

Amref Health Africa-Kenya, through a PEPFAR grant, is setting up a research study aimed at determining SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) at national level and within selected
sentinel counties, using remnant viral load samples available at viral load laboratories supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Main purpose of the job

Maintain daily oversight of study implementation and coordinate study related activities to ensure they
are performed in accordance with the donor requirements.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Develop study materials and tools necessary to appropriately train individuals involved in the study implementation.
• Ensure all key personnel or persons engaged in the study have met essential training requirements.
• Supervise and coordinate research assistants to meet the study expectations in a timely manner while maintaining the expected quality standards
• Plan and coordinate the initiation of the study protocol, and the establishment of operating policies and procedures.
• Facilitate monitoring and auditing visits, respond to any audit findings and implement approved recommendations.
• Ensure data is collected as required by the protocol.
• Maintain study timelines.
• Maintain an adequate inventory of study supplies.
• Complete study documentation and maintain study files according to laid down procedures
• Retain all study records in accordance with sponsor requirements and project policies and procedures.
• Maintain effective and ongoing communication with the sponsor and the PI during the course of the study.
• Collaborate with the PI to prepare and review the budget justification.
• Collaborate with the PI in submission of accurate and timely close-out documents to the sponsoring agency

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Health or Social Sciences equivalent from a recognized training institution. A Master’s degree in Public Health would be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated understanding of research survey design and basic data analysis
• Knowledge of concepts of public health, epidemiology and surveillance

Desired experience, skills and competencies:

• Minimum of five years’ progressive professional experience in public health surveillance preferably in PEPFAR supported programmes;
• Experience with Viral Load testing laboratories and sample referral networks
• Experience in writing and updating protocols and procedures relating to surveillance, and in data collection, storage, reporting, sharing and dissemination.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize, work under deadlines, work with minimal supervision and multitask
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to summarize disparate information in a clear and concise manner
• Working knowledge of statistical software (e.g., STATA, SAS, R, etc.) preferred
• ICT Proficient including use of analytical programmes
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required

go to method of application »

No of Positions: 4

Background

Amref Health Africa-Kenya, through a PEPFAR grant, is setting up a research study aimed at determining SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) at national level and within selected sentinel counties, using remnant viral load samples available at viral load laboratories supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Main purpose of the job

• Coordinates sampling of remnant VL samples, packages and ships samples to the KEMRI Kisumu HIV Research Laboratory for testing.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Develop sample shipment SOP;
• Sample the remnant VL plasma samples, label and ship as per the study protocol;
• Document and maintain the shipment logs and manifest;
• Document all problems encountered with samples, take necessary immediate action, forward them for further action;
• Observe GCP/GCLP to ensure quality work is attained;
• Ensure adequate stocks of reagents and other consumables are available, and track usage;
• Maintain laboratory QC/QA in the performance of assigned duties; and
• Ensure proper operational procedures, laboratory safety precautions and waste management
• procedures are maintained and adhered to in the laboratory
• Required qualifications:
• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences as a minimum
• Registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)
• Current KMLTTB practicing license

Desired experience, skills and competencies:

• At least 1 year experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified
• Experience with sample export and shipment;
• Skills in sampling of blood and blood products
• Good clinical and laboratory practices training (GCLP);
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and infection control standards;
• Knowledge of planning and scheduling;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to understand and apply laboratory research procedures and protocols;
• ICT proficient including analytical programmes and database applications
• Knowledge of Laboratory data and inventory management
• Ability to evaluate, verify, and edit research data.

go to method of application »

No of Positions: 2

Background

Amref Health Africa-Kenya, through a PEPFAR grant, is setting up a research study aimed at determining SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) at national level and within selected sentinel counties, using remnant viral load samples available at viral load laboratories supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Main purpose of the job

This is an entry-level position into a research career, and requires strong intellectual capability, resilience and ability to work under significant pressure within a public institution. The Assistant Research Officer will provide technical support to SARS-CoV-2 serology testing.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Support validation of SARS-CoV-2 ELISA testing protocols and platforms
• Perform SARS-CoV-2 ELISA tests necessary to support the serosurvey study
• Record test results in an organized and timely manner, and write summary reports
• Document all problems encountered with samples and equipment,take necessary immediate action, and forward them for further action
• Observe GCP/GCLP to ensure quality work is attained
• Ensure adequate stocks of reagents and other consumables are available, and track usage
• Maintain laboratory QC/QA in the performance of assigned duties
• Perform HIV viral load laboratory tests necessary to support diagnosis and patient monitoring on Roche c8800, Abbott M2000 platforms, Panther and related platforms
• Facilitate PT testing and other EQA schemes as recommended by the quality assurance officer
• Support KEMRI Kisumu HIV-research laboratory in maintaining ISO 15189:2012 accreditation for medical laboratories
• Ensure proper operational procedures, laboratory safety precautions and waste management
• procedures are maintained and adhered to in the laboratory

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (Degree in Medical Laboratory Science would be an added advantage).
• Must have trained in ISO 15189 QMS implementation
• Must have completed GCP/GCLP training
• Registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)

Desired experience, skills and competencies:

• A minimum of two years’ working experience in a busy molecular diagnostics laboratory;
• Experience carrying out serological tests, PCR testing for HIV Diagnosis or Viral Load testing;
• Experience in supporting surveillance or clinical trial studies;
• Ability to work independently under pressure while at the same time adhering to strict deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written);
• ICT proficient including analytical programmes and database applications
• Excellent analytical skills, Critical thinking, presentation and problem solving skills;
• Innovative with a high degree of self-drive
• Excellent organizational skills
• Pleasant personality, flexibility, team player, ability to solve problems, work with minimal supervision
• Laboratory data and inventory management
• Ability to evaluate, verify, and edit research data.