Job Vacancy at Abt Associates – Field / Insectary Technician

Abt Associates, a major American business and government research, technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded Vector Control Task Order 1. Task Order 1 will support the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control approach with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria. Abt has implemented indoor residual spraying (IRS) for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality IRS programs and gathering the most comprehensive vector control entomological data in the world. Under this contract, Abt will expand entomological monitoring to guide programs focused on insecticide-treated mosquito nets and IRS and continue to assist PMI in reducing the burden of malaria through IRS and capacity building in 22 African countries where malaria is endemic. Abt also will continue to support PMI in IRS monitoring and evaluation, as well as environmental compliance.

Under the supervision of the Entomology Field Coordinator, the seasonal Entomology Field/Insectary technician  will be responsible for timely and high quality field entomological work and will assist with the management of the insectary and laboratory.

Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Support implementation of the following set of entomological field activities:
  • Monitor vector susceptibility tests to currently use and candidate insecticides on annual basis.
  • Implement standardized protocols for rearing of mosquito colonies.
  • Daily care for the mosquito colony maintained in the insectary.
  • Ensure that required supplies and equipment are in stock and organized.
  • Maintain the cleanliness in the insectary and all supported areas (laboratory, store etc…)
  • Maintain the cleanliness and order of the insectary storage areas.
  • Ensure that all insectary practices comply with health and safety directives.
  • Assist with any other duties assigned by the supervisor
  • Rear the animal for mosquitoes blood feeding

• • Monitor vector behavior on monthly basis in the targeted sentinel districts using World Health Organization (WHO) standard mosquito sampling methods.
  • Conduct the morphological identification of all the mosquitoes collected and label them properly.
  • Conduct ovaries dissection on the unfed malaria vectors
  • Ensure proper and timely data recording on the data collection forms
  • Conduct larvae collection

• Participate in other field activities as required
• Adhere to the Standard Operational Procedures for these activities
• Ensure proper and timely data recording and entry.

Qualification requirements include the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree (desirable), in Entomology, Biology, veterinary or other related field.
• At least one (1) year of experience in laboratory or veterinary work.
• Knowledge in computer skills (able to run programs such as Microsoft word, Excel ).
• Knowledge of English.
• Experience with laboratory animal rearing is an added advantage.

JUNIOR LEVEL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS include the following:

• Diploma in biological studies/molecular biology/laboratory techniques or,
• Bachelor of Science Degree (desirable) or a Master of Science Degree.

Candidates will be hired on a rolling basis so you are advised to apply as soon as you can.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested individuals should click on the button below to apply.

 

 

 

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