Regional Technical Advisor Africa OV & LF Studies – Nigeria

Title: Regional Technical Advisor Africa OV & LF Research
Job description:

Sightsavers implements projects in over 30 countries in Africa and South Asia to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote the rights of people with disabilities.

Title: Regional Technical Advisor Africa OV & LF Research

Location: Nigeria – Abuja, Mali, Senegal, Cameroon or Ghana

Contract: 2-year temporary contract

Salary: Local Terms and Conditions apply

About the role

Sightsavers’ work on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) aims to reduce health disparities and disease burdens by establishing sustainable, locally managed health programs. As a Country Coordinating Partner in the RLM Fund Expansion Project, a $500 million initiative running from 2024 to 2030, Sightsavers supports efforts to eliminate NTDs in Africa. This project, supported by the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, requires extensive technical and program management support to conduct the necessary research.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for onchocerciasis investigations to various staff members.
• Review and development of tools for standardized onchocerciasis investigation processes.
• Develop strategies and frameworks for technical LF activities.
• Provide technical support for LF elimination strategies and frameworks.
• Share best practices in implementing the LF program in projects.
• Providing in-country training for collecting LF and OV survey data.
• Ensure a link between field and laboratory research data.
• Coordinating technical advice in multi-funded LF and OV studies.
• Support countries in analysing and reporting LF and OV data.

This is a very varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or professional skills required. Please see the job description for full details.

Essential:

• A detailed understanding of the transmission, pathogenesis and epidemiology of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis
• Experience in planning and conducting serological and entomological investigations for onchocerciasis
• Demonstrable experience and/or qualifications in the implementation of LF programs, including LF MDA and survey planning and implementation
• Experience with pre-TAS/EMS planning and implementation
• Experience with school-based and community-based TAS implementation
• Willingness and availability to travel for field visits, attending meetings, workshops and conferences, provided an appropriate risk assessment is in place

To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. We are particularly interested in your motivation for applying.

As an equal opportunities employer, we actively encourage applications from all walks of life. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Sightsavers is a zero-tolerance employer and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All potential candidates are subject to strict background checks and background checks.