Technical Advisor for Lymphatic Filariasis and Morbidity – Nigeria

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 for Africa for the Management of Morbidity in Lymphatic Filariasis

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 building sustainable, locally managed health programs. As a Country Coordinating Partner in the RLM Fund Expansion Project (2024-2030), Sightsavers will help eliminate NTDs in Africa, focusing on river blindness and lymphatic filariasis (LF). This $500 million initiative, supported by the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will provide hydrocele surgery and self-care management of lymphedema to thousands of people, requiring strong technical coordination and program management.

• Strategy Development Support: Support the Global Technical Lead for LF in creating strategies, policies and frameworks for LF Morbidity Management and Disability Inclusion (MMDP/DMDI).
• Technical Activities: Oversee LF case finding, morbidity planning, assessments, resource development, training, patient follow-up, and lymphedema and hydrocele services.
• Compliance with guidelines: Ensure compliance with WHO and Sightsavers guidelines and propose improvements to the availability, quality and accessibility of services.
• Technical Support: Provides technical support to Sightsavers national offices and Ministry of Health partners. Serves as primary point of contact for LF MMDP/DMDI advice.
• Reviews and best practices: Conduct regular reviews of ongoing implementations and share best practices across projects.
• Progress Reporting: Prepare progress reports for the Global Technical Lead, the NTD Technical Director and the Project Directors.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with the M&E team on the use of the Hydrocele Tracker and lead training sessions for LF MMDP implementation and data collection.
• Stakeholder engagement: Support the dissemination of best practices among national and global stakeholders and ensure coordination in countries with multiple funding sources.
• Funding proposals: Assist in developing technically sound funding proposals that align with WHO guidelines and Sightsavers strategic priorities.
• Purchasing Coordination: Work with the NTD purchasing team to identify needs, review product specifications, and ensure accurate budgeting for LF studies.

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.

Requirements for the job holder

• An understanding of transmission, epidemiology, physiopathology and elimination strategies of LF.
• Experience with MMDP/DMDI situation analysis, plan development and case research.
• Experience in implementing MMDP/DMDI activities.
• Experience in assessing the readiness of healthcare facilities for lymphedema and hydrocele.
• In-depth knowledge of self-care kits for lymphedema, surgical kits for hydrocele (medicines and consumables and surgical instruments).
• Ability to plan and perform follow-up of MMDP/DMDI (lymphedema and hydrocele) patients.
• Ability to provide team training in the treatment of lymphedema and provide on-field supervision.
• Experience in planning and conducting routine surgical camps for hydrocele operations.
• Experience working on disability inclusion and/or gender mainstreaming, globally and in complex environments.

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.