Director of Integrated Vector Control Programming - PMI Evolve Project at Abt Associates

The Opportunity

• As the Director of Integrated Vector Control Programming, you will be responsible for ensuring a harmonized approach across country teams as they work with NMCPs, district health management teams, and local partners to execute and provide technical assistance for VC interventions. Under the PMI Evolve Project Director and supervising vector control technical leads and environmental compliance managers, this position leads the planning and implementation of vector control activities across the project, identifying cost efficiencies for streamlining VC planning, developing tools and job aids that enhance quality of planning, training, implementation and monitoring of vector control activities for local teams. This position is considered key personnel on the PMI Evolve project, works as part of the project Senior Management Team (SMT) and will be regionally based in Accra, Ghana.
• The PMI Evolve Project supports the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control strategy with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria while promoting equity to sustain malaria gains. Abt has implemented integrated vector control for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality indoor residual spraying (IRS), technical assistance for insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution and durability monitoring, and new approaches for larval source management (LSM). Additionally, Abt’s PMI-funded work manages the most comprehensive malaria vector entomological surveillance programs in 21 African countries to inform malaria vector control trends, strategies, and impact. Under the PMI Evolve Project, Abt will further its delivery of integrated vector control programs by partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments to co-design and co-implement tailored malaria vector control programs. The end goal is fighting malaria while strengthening local capacity to sustain malaria gains.

Core Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, oversight, and is responsible for the integration of all vector control activities (IRS, ITN, LSM) and environmental compliance.
• Oversees technical assistance to country project teams and ensures activity schedules are adhered to and implementation meets PMI, global, and local Ministries of Health standards.
• Strategizes improvements and implementation efficiencies for insecticide-treated net (ITN) distributions, indoor residual spraying (IRS) campaigns, the development of new techniques for larval source management (LSM), and testing and evaluating additional new malaria vector control approaches as approved by national governments and the World Health Organization.
• Leads the development of new models for implementing VC Activities, tailored to country needs, data-driven trends, and specific budget requirements (e.g., emerging vectors, insecticide resistance profiles, climate patterns, etc.)
• Develops best practices and standards for vector control interventions and the in-country management of warehouses, supply chain, and stores.
• Oversees the preparation of country resource quantifications, procurement needs assessments, and activity schedules for the annual work plans of countries implementing indoor residual spray (IRS) operations or insecticide treated net (ITN) activities and ensures coordination in the field between IRS and ITN teams.
• Work in coordination with the Capacity Strengthening Director to enhance National Malaria Control Programs competencies in managing, designing, planning, training, supervision, and monitoring of vector control campaigns.
• Provides thought leadership on integrated vector control and emerging best practices to global forums through participation and presentation of abstracts in vector control and scientific conferences.

What We Value

• Bachelor’s Degree + 15 years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + 12 years of relevant experience, or PhD + 10 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in leading, managing, and monitoring the implementation of VC interventions.
• Master Degree (minimum), or a Doctorate Degree (desirable), in Public Health/Health Administration (or other relevant health specialization).. Candidates with Medical Degrees are also desirable.
• At least ten years of experience in oversight of IRS/ITN campaigns is required.
• Demonstrated familiarity with malaria vector control.
• Effective English oral and written communication skills are required.
• Multi-country experience leading vector control interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• 15 years of relevant international health experience, including significant experience in the area of malaria prevention and control.
• At least 5 years of senior project management experience in large international health projects/programs.
• Demonstrated leadership in management skills and ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, ranging from 10 to 50 employees.
• Experience managing a fast paced, results-oriented, deadline-driven project.
• Significant ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, ministry officials, and other development partners.
• Demonstrated leadership in management skills and ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, ranging from 10 to 50 employees.
• Experience managing a fast paced, results-oriented, deadline-driven project.
• Significant ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, ministry officials, and other development partners.