The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI – formerly the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative) under the leadership of former President William Jefferson Clinton III, has worked since 2002 to reduce the pricing of HIV/AIDS medicines and tests, and to work with governments around the world to further turn the tide on the disease by building the systems needed to deliver care and treatment.
In 2006, CHAI signed an MOU with the Malawi government to strengthen health systems in the most challenged districts, provide national support to HIV/AIDS drug pricing and programmatic work, support the pilot and scale-up of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) initiatives, expand access to ART for children, strengthen Malawi’s lab system, and scale up an integrated nutrition program for children. CHAI’s support to Malawi has expanded to include Human Resources for Health, Vaccines, and Health Financing.
For more information, visit http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org.
Position Overview:
CHAI is supporting the Government of Malawi to evaluate the feasibility of implementation of a screening program for cryptococcal meningitis antigen with a rapid test that has recently become available on the market. Cryptococcal meningitis is one of the main opportunistic infections that affects people living with HIV and AIDS and is also one of the most deadly. By identifying people who have the virus in its dormant phase and putting them on prophylaxis, mortality from meningitis can be eliminated. A new diagnostic that greatly simplifies identification of asymptomatic CM is also now available. The 12-month project aims to answer key questions about how such a screening program would work within the constraints of the Malawian health care system, including understanding which clinical algorithm would be most effective in identifying cases, which level(s) of the health system is most appropriate for conducting screening, and which health care workers can conduct the test most effectively. The study will also look at the feasibility of the test for diagnosis of acute cryptococcal meningitis. CHAI will also be exploring ways to expand access to improved medications for prophylaxis and treatment of the disease, working closely with the Ministry of Health.
CHAI is seeking an experienced, talented, highly motivated, creative, and flexible individual to contribute interim support to CHAI’s Cryptococcal Meningitis program as it develops a protocol to answer these critical research questions and poise the country for future scale-up. The interim PM will be responsible for working with partners to develop a protocol for assessment of the crypto intervention and preparing CHAI programmatically to implement the intervention. The interim PM will report directly to the Senior Program Manager, MNCH.
In 2006, CHAI signed an MOU with the Malawi government to strengthen health systems in the most challenged districts, provide national support to HIV/AIDS drug pricing and programmatic work, support the pilot and scale-up of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) initiatives, expand access to ART for children, strengthen Malawi’s lab system, and scale up an integrated nutrition program for children. CHAI’s support to Malawi has expanded to include Human Resources for Health, Vaccines, and Health Financing.
For more information, visit http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org.
Position Overview:
CHAI is supporting the Government of Malawi to evaluate the feasibility of implementation of a screening program for cryptococcal meningitis antigen with a rapid test that has recently become available on the market. Cryptococcal meningitis is one of the main opportunistic infections that affects people living with HIV and AIDS and is also one of the most deadly. By identifying people who have the virus in its dormant phase and putting them on prophylaxis, mortality from meningitis can be eliminated. A new diagnostic that greatly simplifies identification of asymptomatic CM is also now available. The 12-month project aims to answer key questions about how such a screening program would work within the constraints of the Malawian health care system, including understanding which clinical algorithm would be most effective in identifying cases, which level(s) of the health system is most appropriate for conducting screening, and which health care workers can conduct the test most effectively. The study will also look at the feasibility of the test for diagnosis of acute cryptococcal meningitis. CHAI will also be exploring ways to expand access to improved medications for prophylaxis and treatment of the disease, working closely with the Ministry of Health.
CHAI is seeking an experienced, talented, highly motivated, creative, and flexible individual to contribute interim support to CHAI’s Cryptococcal Meningitis program as it develops a protocol to answer these critical research questions and poise the country for future scale-up. The interim PM will be responsible for working with partners to develop a protocol for assessment of the crypto intervention and preparing CHAI programmatically to implement the intervention. The interim PM will report directly to the Senior Program Manager, MNCH.
Responsibilities:
- Communicate with partners at CDC to co-plan and develop a protocol for feasibility assessment of crypto screening and diagnosis for submission to the National Health Research Council and CDC IRB as necessary.
- Communicate with the CHAI New Market Opportunities team to ensure that the proposed protocol is aligned with global information needs and draws on the best global knowledge about use of the new diagnostic.
- Prepare briefing materials and communicate protocol to the MOH diagnostics department so that they are aware of and supportive of the proposed evaluation.
- Develop a project implementation plan and budget that is feasible and within the time and budget allotted, and accounting for available partner funds.
- Develop terms of reference for CHAI staff to take on the project assessment activities and support the recruitment and hiring process as appropriate.
- Any other related assignments to support initiation of the CM program.
Qualifications:
- University degree, (preferably a Master’s Degree) ideally in health
- international development or business administration;
- 5+ years of professional experience in the private or public sector, ideally within the health sector. Professional experience in Malawi is preferred;
- Project management experience, including experience leading diverse teams, managing budgets and financial reporting, engaging in procurement processes, and effective work planning.
- Prior experience with developing a research protocol for submission to the Malawi NHSRC;
- Exceptional communication skills, including excellent spoken and written English, and strength in building relationships in an African setting. Knowledge of additional languages of Malawi is an advantage;
- Proven ability to operate independently, multitasking, setting and achieving ambitious targets with limited guidance, and able to demonstrate creative thinking about major challenges facing Malawi.
- Good analytical (qualitative and quantitative) skills and proposal development experience;
- Good proficiency in relevant computer applications, particularly MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
- Knowledge and/or experience of the health sector in Malawi in general would be a distinct advantage.
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