The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries, while strengthening the capabilities of governments and the private sector in those countries to create and sustain high-quality health systems that can succeed without our assistance. For more information, please visit: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

CHAI’s global malaria program provides direct technical and operational support to countries around the globe to strengthen their malaria programs and reduce the burden of this preventable, treatable disease. We support governments to scale up effective interventions for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance, with the goals of sustainably reducing the number of malaria-related illnesses and deaths worldwide in the short-term and accelerating progress towards malaria elimination in the long term.

The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) has achieved significant progress in reducing malaria burden and advancing towards the goal of malaria elimination by 2030. Over the past decade, the total number of confirmed malaria cases in GMS decreased by nearly 90%. As the region starts to approach the “Last Mile” of malaria elimination, selecting and deploying effective vector control interventions to protect at-risk populations from malaria, both during sleeping hours with bed nets and during outdoor or daytime activities with novel vector control interventions is key for addressing the residual malaria transmission in GMS.

Summary of Position

CHAI is seeking a highly motivated individual to work as the GMS Regional Vector Control Associate. The position will support CHAI’s malaria activities in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam by working closely with the National Malaria Control Programs (NMCPs) and other non-governmental partners to address key malaria vector control and entomology challenges in the region. The Associate will also work with other CHAI internal teams to provide targeted technical support to activities in GMS.

Findings from an internal VC assessment have indicated opportunities for CHAI to provide incremental vector control and entomology support in GMS. In the near term, the Associate will provide focused support to activities in Lao PDR, jointly support activities in Cambodia with the GMS Deputy Regional Manager, and monitor needs and opportunities across the region.

CHAI places great value on relevant personal qualities including resourcefulness, tenacity, independence, patience, humility, and strong work ethic. The ideal candidate should be passionate about contributing to the mission of malaria elimination in GMS and possess both strategic and program management skills to support government counterparts to identify and address vector control challenges.

Lao PDR-specific responsibilities (50%)

• Provide technical assistance to the Lao PDR National Center for Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology (CMPE) and sub-national malaria programs to strengthen entomological surveillance programs to understand malaria transmission patterns in Lao PDR and tailor vector control interventions accordingly
• Collaborate with key partners to analyze entomological surveillance data, develop training materials, and support select entomological field activities
• Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) distribution through both mass campaign and continuous distribution channels in Lao PDR

Cambodia-specific project responsibilities (25%)

• Collaborate with the CHAI Cambodia Malaria team and GMS Deputy Regional Manager to support planning, implementation, and M&E for LLIN distribution at national and sub-national levels
• Support the Cambodia National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control (CNM)identify, cost, and deploy appropriate innovative vector control tools targeting high-risk populations
• Explore digitization and conduct analysis of entomological surveillance data

Other responsibilities (25%)

• Support NMCPs with developing detailed operational plans, operating procedures, and associated training materials related to vector control, in order to build government capacity and support effective execution of malaria program
• Support the GMS Deputy Regional Manager to translate vector control normative guidance and other evidence into actionable insights, develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders at the regional level, and represent CHAI at country and regional vector control meetings
• Work in close coordination with internal analytics and commodity access teams to tailor vector control tools based on malaria risk stratifications and support forecasting of vector control commodities

Potential Deliverables

• Design, implementation, and transition of an entomological surveillance program in Lao PDR, in collaboration with UCSF and WHO Lao PDR Office
• Costing and quantification of routine and novel vector control interventions in GMS countries for the upcoming Global Fund RAI4E applications, in collaboration with other CHAI teams and external partners
• Enhanced analytics and use of entomological data by NMCPs, potentially through routine data reviews and centralized entomological databases
• Design and results analysis/dissemination of post-LLIN campaign assessments in Cambodia and Lao PDR
• Review and syntheses of evidence for increasing the adoption and funding for novel vector control interventions

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in public health, science, business, or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience with increasing levels of responsibility
• Strong quantitative skills, including fluency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including developing presentations and reports
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders in a multicultural environment
• Ability to quickly grasp technical information and translate scientific knowledge into actionable insights for decision-making
• Demonstrated skills in managing competing tasks, setting priorities, and working independently
• Patience and thoughtfulness even in high-pressure situations
• Willingness to travel 30-50% time, both in-country and across the region

Advantages:

• Experience working in strategy consulting, public sector advisory, or similar fast-paced, output-oriented environments
• Experience working in developing countries, especially in the Southeast Asia region
• Technical expertise in malaria vector control or entomology
• Proficiency of Lao or Khmer language

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