Medical Entomology Officer

Job Description

Medical Entomology Officer

Bioko Island Malaria Control Project, Phase III

Medical Care Development International – MCDI

(Pending approval of funding)

Medical Care Development International (MCDI) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Medical Entomology Officer for the Bioko Island Malaria Control Project, Phase III (BIMCP III). The BIMCP III will be a five-year program, funded by Marathon Oil Corporation, which seeks to substantially reduce morbidity and mortality caused by malaria on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. The project’s interventions build on those established during Phase I (2004-2008) and Phase II (2009-2013) and are centered on indoor residual spraying, distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets, vector surveillance, malaria diagnosis and case management, behavior change communication, and monitoring and evaluation. The project includes a substantial investment in human resources development and a strong commitment to capacity-building and integration, to prepare the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to assume responsibility for the management of the BIMCP’s malaria control activities. MCDI implements the BIMCP together with partner organizations including the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Texas A&M University’s AgriLife Research, and Yale University.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience required of the Medical Entomology Officer:

• MA in Medical Entomology (or equivalent) with experience in designing and implementing vector control programs for malaria control in a developing country context. PhD preferred.
• Five or more years of field and laboratory experience working as an entomologist, preferably within a malaria control program. PhD studies may be considered as compensatory for lack of applied field experience.
• Good interpersonal skills, team player, able to work under stress. Sensitivity to the concerns of the developing world and able to work with local and national authorities and community-based providers from different cultural backgrounds.
• Willingness to conduct extensive field work, traveling and residing under difficult conditions.
• Good oral and written communication skills in Spanish with knowledge of English and/or French an additional asset.
• Highly computer literate, familiar with Windows® programs for word-processing, spreadsheets, database management, statistical analysis, presentations, and electronic communication.
• Teaching experience an asset.

Overview of Position: The Medical Entomology Officer (MEO) is responsible for: (1) managing and providing technical assistance to all in-country vector monitoring activities including vector monitoring (vector density calculations through light traps and human landing catches, vector infectivity, indices of the force of transmission, and transmission characterization of the Island), insecticide resistance monitoring (susceptibility, residual efficacy, target site and metabolic resistance characterization), insecticide resistance management and vector control implementation monitoring (quality of spraying using insecticide quantification kits, residual efficacy of insecticide in LLINs using colorimetric test kits, etc.); (2) conducting entomological operations research (including cone assays and outdoor biting studies); (3) providing technical support and guidance to the IRS team to ensure effective implementation of the spraying activities; (4) providing technical support and guidance to the Project, NMCP and other partners in carrying out LLIN distribution and keep-up activities; (5) managing focal activities associated with larval control, source reduction, environmental management or other focal vector control strategies designed to complement the core IRS and LLIN interventions; (6) mentoring and training the Entomologist of the National Malaria Control Program; and (7) as required, providing technical and operational support for information, education and communications (IEC) activities related to vector control and transmission prevention and indoor residual spraying (IRS).

With regards to monitoring and evaluation, the MEO will: (1) assume primary field-level responsibility for overseeing the management of an Insectary and Vector Control Laboratory, receiving technical support from Texas A&M/Yale and other partners as pertinent; (2) manage and provide technical support for vector monitoring, including routine mosquito collections at the sentinel sites on Bioko, and periodic human landing catches designed to monitor biting behavior; (3) conduct periodic and scheduled insecticide resistance assessments including supporting the IVCC in carrying out the metabolic resistance assessments as planned; (4) conduct periodic and scheduled insecticide efficacy assessments; (5) undertake transmission characterization of the Island linked to GIS activities that will serve to develop stratified supplementary control strategies as required to augment the impact of IRS, LLINs and passive diagnosis and treatment; (6) ensure that all field-based entomological research activities initiated in collaboration with implementing partners are sustained in country; (7) provide technical and operational support for any rapid assessment surveys required to support the effective implementation of LLIN hang-up and keep-up activities, IRS and vector control-related IEC; and (8) coordinate closely with the BIMCP Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and the MCDI Home Office in ensuring the successful monitoring and evaluation of all vector control activities.

With regards to vector control, the MEO will (1) support the work of the Vector Control Officer and the IRS Team to ensure the effective implementation of IRS activities, including the quality of spraying; this will include the use of insecticide quantification test kits (IQK) to determine whether houses have been sprayed, using proper technique, and whether the insecticidal concentration conforms to WHO recommendations; (2) manage and provide technical oversight to focal environmental management, source reduction and/or larval control activities; and (3) provide technical and operational support to all IEC activities related to vector control.

With regards to malaria prevention, the MEO will (1) provide technical support and guidance to all LLIN “hang-up and keep-up” activities, focusing in particular on verifying the durability and residual insecticidal efficacy of the nets both upon installation and over time after normal wear and tear; and (2) provide technical and operational support to all IEC activities related to transmission prevention.

The MEO will assume responsibility for supervising, mentoring, and the planning and provision of continuing education to the Entomology Officer of the NMCP and other pertinent staffs from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. This will involve preparing and teaching courses on topics that have been identified and scheduled within the Continuing Education Plan.

Finally, the MEC will assist the Chief of Party as required in facilitating the BIMCP’s external relations, assuring effective coordination with relevant in-country stakeholders, including most notably the MOHSW, and fostering additional partnership opportunities where appropriate and feasible.

Location: Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Please note that this is an unaccompanied posting; MCDI is unable accommodate or extend benefits to spouses, children or other dependents.

MCDI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including paid housing, health insurance and vacation.

Interested parties should submit a resume detailing relevant skills, training and experience, and the names and contact information of three professional references, to: jobs@mcd.org

The Subject line should read: BIMCP Medical Entomology Officer

About the Organization

MCDI is a division of Medical Care Development Inc., and has been accorded consultative status (Roster) with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. MCDI is a founding member of the CORE Group of PVOs. The mission of MCDI is to enhance the well-being of peoples and communities in developing nations by means of technical assistance in the areas of health and socio-economic development. We develop and disseminate tools, mechanisms and strategies that improve access and management of health care services. We work with a wide spectrum of organizations, from grassroots community groups to multi-lateral donor institutions, to improve the quality and quantity of care, make it affordable to the neediest people on earth.