Malaria Referent (f/m/x)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 60 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation.

CONTEXT

MSF-OCB treated 211.00 malaria patients in 2019, the majority in about 20 projects. MSF-OCB is also involved in Operational Research on innovative vector control tools and strategies, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in precarious setting and plans involvement in chemoprevention as Intermittent Preventive Treatment post discharge and Mass Drug Administration in emergencies and did operational research on antimalarial drug resistance and the performance of rapid diagnostic tests.

RESPONSIBILITIES **

Tasks – the Malaria Referent will:

• Provide pro-active and reactive technical and strategic support for malaria, including in case of malaria outbreaks

• Ensure updates on malaria developments to staff in the medical department also involved in malaria (pediatricians, heath promotion, Sexual and Reproductive Health care referents a.o.)

• Contribute to long-term dossiers through specific and time-bound tasks (such as development of guidelines and protocol’s, training modules and tools

• Offer punctual support on operational research in collaboration with LUXOR; guide or conduct documentation of good practices and experiences on (eventually innovative) strategies including during supportive field visits

• Assist the field teams in the analysis and interpretation of malaria data, in their contextual frame

• Participate in briefing and debriefing of medical staff

• Participate in F2F or virtual trainings: e.g. Response to Epidemics, intersectional specific malaria and vectorcontrol training, or provide input in other intersection training platforms (Global Health and Humanitarian Medicine course, Medical Academy...) etc. These tasks are currently being divided in the intersection malaria group

• Lead the “malaria circle” in the medical department (multidisciplinary platform), participate in other relevant circles or propose ad hoc circles if relevant

• Represent MSF OCB as malaria advisor in the Intersectional Malaria Group

• Provide input in discussions on the organization of primary care, as in many missions, malaria is the main pathology in the primary care setting. An appropriate set-up is crucial to ensure patients have access to quality care

• Follow closely and critically the literature and stay updated through other means such as webinars and conferences and share the conclusions relevant for MSF within the OCB malaria circle and the intersection malaria group.

• On request of the management team, the malaria advisor can be requested to work on other (related) topics if there is a need expressed by the field (for example other vector borne diseases)

REQUIREMENTS

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience with MSF or similar medical organization, including missions in which malaria was a significant component of the project, covering several aspects of malaria management

• Field experience in malaria emergencies or management of malaria programs is an asset

• Knowledge of recent developments in the field of malaria, as well with the preventive aspects (vectorcontrol, chemoprevention), case management, service delivery models (for example: Integrated Community Case Management) and Monitoring & Evaluation. For vector control there is technical support from the entomology/vector control referent in the department,

• Experience evidence based approached – critical reading of articles

• Insight and interest in the organization of (mainly primary) health care

• Interest in global health dynamics, donor analysis,…

Education

• Medical degree (MD) is mandatory

• Good knowledge of infectious diseases, either through specialization in Infectious or Tropical Diseases, or equal level through broad experience

• Master in Public Health, International Health or Epidemiology degree is an asset

Languages

• Fluent in English & French (oral and written)

Personal qualities

• Passionate about malaria, to convince others about the relevance of (re-)investing more in malaria

• Good analytical and synthesis skills

• Results, innovation and quality oriented

• Problem solving and service oriented

• Strong interpersonal skills, team spirit, networking and communication skills

• Large availability for travel (1/4 to 1/3 of the time), including to insecure countries

CONDITIONS

· Expected starting date: 1^st of October 2021

· Contract type: Open-ended contract (CDI), full-time

· Location: based in Brussels or in Kinshasa

· If based in Brussels: Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid – Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs. If based in another location, conditions may vary.

· Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment

· Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications: 13^th of July 2021

How to apply?

Please, send your CV and cover letter to caroline.maes@brussels.msf.org and mention “Malaria Referent” in the subject of your email.

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