Job Description

Africa University (AU) is a private Pan- African, United Methodist-related institution located in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The University is also a member of the Association of African Universities and is inviting suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the following strategic position.
ENTOMOLOGY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST (1 Post)
Background
AU has obtained a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The USAID/Zimbabwe and AU partnership presents the Zimbabwe Entomological Program Support in Malaria (AU/ZENTO) with a mandate to enhance entomological excellence and to provide entomological support to the Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP).
One of the key activities of the project includes strengthening the malaria entomological surveillance capacity of the MOHCC/NMCP in targeted geographic areas. ZENTO is committed to increasing the quantity and improving the quality of the entomological evidence base, bringing on board innovative ways to support quality entomological performance, spearheading operational, as well as establishing a strong partner network base for programmatic decision-making.
This role is key in ensuring the efficient implementation of project activities under the partnership to meet quality standards and deliver outputs on time and within budget.

Duties and Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Chief of Party (COP), the Technical Specialist will be responsible, among other things, for the following duties:
• Providing technical leadership of AU/ZENTO project’s entomological surveillance activities in the country in collaboration with the NMCP.
• Coordinating the project’s key entomological monitoring activities and guide country-level vector surveillance decisions.
• Preparing project annual entomological monitoring plan and review the content of communication materials for technical accuracy.
• Oversight of entomological operations and managing field staff assigned to longitudinal vector surveillance sentinel sites.
• Leading in the monitoring of vector density and behaviour in elimination and pre-elimination districts, as well as in pre-and post-deployment of vector control interventions using WHO standard mosquito sampling methods.
• Providing technical oversight of vector susceptibility monitoring to currently used and candidate insecticides.
• Leading the development and revision of standard operating procedures and checklists for mosquito collection techniques.
• Serving on the vector control technical working group at national level.
• Training MoHCC EHPs on field entomological techniques using the WHO, CDC and PMI approved guidelines, protocols and techniques.
• Preparing semi-annual and annual reports of vector surveillance and insecticide resistance.
• Coordinating vector control Operational Research activities.
• Preparing and presenting abstracts from programme findings at international vector control and scientific conferences.
• Publication of results from the vector surveillance activities and operational research activities in peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications and Experience

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES
• A Doctoral Degree in Entomology, Public Health, Environmental Health or other relevant field.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional work experience.
• Ability to complete tasks timeously with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people, including high-level stakeholders.
• Be able to deliver in high-pressure situations.
• Excellent diplomatic communication and report writing skills.

How to Apply

TO APPLY
Interested candidates must submit an application letter, certified copies of certificates, transcripts, national identification (ID & birth certificate) and a detailed curriculum vitae giving full personal particulars including full name, place and date of birth, qualifications, date of availability, contact details, names and addresses of three referees.

The application pack should be sent as a single pdf file clearly stating ENTOMOLOGY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST in the subject line to the email [email protected] by no later than 1400 hours on Friday, 4 October 2024. Applicants should clearly indicate the post being applied for on the application letter and only shortlisted candidates will be communicated to.
Africa University is an equal opportunity employer and therefore, men and women from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.