CRS is recruiting for the position of Technical Advisor 11 – SP4 Urban Malaria Research

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job description, and follow the instructions to submit your application package.

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, health (including malaria), agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS/ Sierra Leone and Program Background

Catholic Relief Service (CRS) launched its work in Sierra Leone in 1963 supporting relief and development operations in the country. CRS Sierra Leone has proudly maintained a strong reputation and relationship with partners and the communities we serve in the country implementing a multi-sector program portfolio. Today, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health, Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience. CRS/Sierra Leone currently implements projects in Education, Emergencies, Health and Urban Resilience sector area, including: the USDA/McGovern Dole Food for Education funded All Pikin for Learn (APfL) project, and is a co-principal recipient of the Global Fund malaria grant to the country. Other funding includes the EU-funded COVID response project, the Coca Cola-funded RAIN project, and the DFID-funded waste management project. In addition, the country program is working on several high-profile opportunities included establishing a Freetown Water Fund, supporting the Freetown City Council to deliver its Transform Freetown strategy through slum regeneration, and emergency response to COVID-19 funded by USG/OFDA.  CRS Urban malaria research project anticipate that by incorporating malaria activities in the Transform Freetown Project, a more holistic and sustainable approach to improving the health and reducing malaria prevalence can be achieved.

CRS Urban malaria research project anticipate that by incorporating malaria activities in the Transform Freetown Project, a more holistic and sustainable approach to improving the health and reducing malaria prevalence can be achieved. In this regard, CRS Sierra Leone has committed to invest in a 24months Urban Malaria research Project titled “Assessing and reducing malaria transmission in urban-poor areas of Freetown, Sierra Leone through improvements to housing, water, sanitation, and the environment”. This project has been aligned with the FCC’s Transform Freetown project targeting Kolleh Town and Cockle Bay informal settlement.

Job Title: Technical Advisor 11

Department: Programming – SP4 Urban Malaria Research Project Unit

Reports To: Program Director – Urban Resilience

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location: CRS Country Office, Freetown with 40% travel to study locations

Job Summary

You will provide research coordination, technical advice, guidance, and support to a wide range of program design and implementation issues in the area of urban malaria programming in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to regional and Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable in informal settlements in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Your technical knowledge, advice and guidance will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive, and innovative CRS’ urban malaria programming is across the globe. You will lead research efforts to understand malaria prevalence in the study population and ensure the engagement of stakeholders and development of action plans to reduce malaria prevalence in informal settlements in urban settings. The candidate will also help to coordinate malaria and urban activities with CRS’s Global Fund grant in Sierra Leone and the Transform Freetown – Enhancing Homes, Improving Environments, Transforming Lives slum upgrading initiative.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of a comprehensive study to determine key malaria trends in informal settlement populations of Freetown.

• Monitor the progress of research activities; develop and maintain records of research activities, prepare periodic and ad hoc reports as required by investigators, administrators, funding agencies, and/or regulatory bodies

• Oversee subject enrollment to ensure that informed consent is properly obtained and documented

• Manage study paperwork, electronic correspondence, and data.

• Ensure subject safety and provide information regarding adverse events and any pertinent information to subjects and investigators in a prompt manner

• Supervise and coordinate the provision of support services to study sites and study teams

• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports

• Comply with all Ethics Committee and other institutional rules and regulations related to research involving human subjects and human subject‐derived information and materials

• Ensure that study data are collected and kept according to the protocol and human research subject principles

• Ensure supervision of data entry at all study sites

• Provide biweekly, monthly, and quarterly reports to supervisors

• Ensure the smooth and efficient day-to-day operation of research and data collection activities, acts as the primary administrative point of contact for internal research staff

• Coordinate the day-to-day activities of any study staff specifically engaged in the carrying out of research protocol as appropriate to the position

• Prepare or participate in quality assurance audits conducted by RNEC or other regulatory agencies

• Prepare and coordinate the shipment of a study blood sample

• Advocate and build the national and global recognition of the program though presentation at global and national forum.

Basic Qualifications and experience:

• Master's Degree in Public Health, Statistics, Health Informatics, or related disciplines required

• Minimum of five years’ experience in Coordinating/supervising Clinical research

• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in urban malaria programming and research.

• General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.

• Ability to work in collaboration with the health center where the sites will be located and build a good relationship between different teams

• Proven experience in Prevention and Case management of Malaria at Health facility level

• Experience in research, data management and M&E strongly preferred

• Knowledge of urban resilience and urban programming will be a plus

• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis.

• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners.

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.

• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment

• Good technical writing skills

• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills

• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented

Required Languages - English and Krio are required

Travel- include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and able to travel up to 40 %.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal Program Director Urban Resilience, Head of Programming, BD Specialist, region, and HQ TAs

External: Partners, government, donors, consultants

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To apply for this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to:

SL_HR@crs.org.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social Security,New England, and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is 28th October 2021.