Program Assistant Full-Time

Job Purpose

Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) | East Program is a five-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), that supports technically and financial the national NTDs program, for the control and elimination of five targeted NTDs: lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and trachoma. RTI International seeks a Program Officer, who will provide programmatic support to Act | East partners, Provincial Health directorates and districts during planning, implementation, and monitoring of Act to End NTDs I East program activities. The Program Officer will work closely with the Senior Program Officer, MERLA staff, Program Manager, and the Financial and Administrative staff, to support effective implementation of Act | East contributions to the national NTD program, having as objectives, i) To ensure technical assistant on Act | East activities, ii) provide M&E as well as high quality of the deliverables/documents and (iii)To support the Ministry of Health on the Joint Application Package (JAP) review and submission to the lWorld Health Organization.

Principal Accountabilities

The Program Officer will work closely with the National NTDs Program and all partners involved in the control and elimination of NTDs. He/She will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health, Neglected Tropical Disease Department. The Program officer will also work closely with RTI, the Senior Program Officer the MERLA Officer, to provide added value in the M&E tools and template and will strengthen the data base system.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Senior Program Officer, the Program Officer will coordinate, supervise, and monitor the implementation of the overall Act | East field activities. Assist in monitoring by attending meetings, as required with counterparts, and visiting project sights for reporting on progress measured, against expected results noted in the Mozambique Act | East annual work plan.
• Support the NTDs Program on timely request for drugs and logistics.
• Support the NTDs Program to organise Disease Specific Assessments for lymphatic filariasis, trachoma and survey failure investigations.
• Support NTDs Program to organise annual NTDs Program meetings, NTDs Steering Committee meetings and Technical Working Group meetings.
• Participate in supervising, monitoring and ensue that the activities in the districts and provinces are implemented as planned.
• Identify and mitigate, proactively, risks that may affect program implementation.
• Participate in local and national level stakeholder meetings, as directed by the NTDs Program.
• Implement, any other, activities assigned by the line manager.
• Assist in the development and/or finalization of the Project Work Plan and keep it updated in accordance with Project activities and timeframes as relevant.
• Work with partners to understand their systems and help strengthen data base management within the NTDs department of the Ministry.
• Collaborate and support technical the NTDs Provincial and distrital focal points during the MDA planning activities.
• Participle in the development of the Lymphatic Filariasis Dossier elimination templates (narrative and Excel).
• Review the FAAs deliverable (provincial, district reports).
• Participate in the revision of the monthly narrative updates sent to USAID.

Alongside with the Senior Program Officer and MERLA officer, develop the disease specific survey protocols (EMS, TAS. Precision Mapping, mapping).

Qualifications

Knowledge (Education and Related Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or Health Sciences or its equivalent from a recognized University.
• At least, 3 years of experience in implementing and leading technical activities for donor funded health Programs, preferably on NTDs.
• Experience in planning, organizing and analytical skills.

Skills (Special Training or Competence)

• Good knowledge of program implementation, monitoring and evaluation techniques and practices.
• Program and Administrative experience, preferably for an organization implementing international programs in developing country settings.
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
• Previous experience of working with medicines an advantage.
• Excellent spoken and written Portuguese and English.
• Ability to work to deadlines and as part of a busy team,
• Demonstrated experience in implementing NTDs Program/interventions, in health facility and communities.
• Ability to work as a team and independently.
• Experience in Health System Strengthening Strategic Planning, Training, and Supervision of NTD personnel at central, provincial and district levels.
• Willingness to travel and to conduct regular field visits.
• Excellent computer skills (MS word, Excel, and Power Point).