Helen Keller International Recruits Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Program Coordinator

Established in 1915 with Helen Keller as a founding trustee, Helen Keller International (HKI) works to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 22 countries in Africa and Asia as well as in the United States. We combat the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on evidence and research in vision, health and nutrition.

HKI began working in Nigeria in June 1999 and its programs benefit over 11 million people. Current programs include Vitamin A Supplementation, Infant and young child feeding and Neglected Tropical Disease Control.

Helen Keller International (HKI) is looking to hire suitable candidates to fill the following position within its rapidly expanding program portfolio

Job Title: Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Program Coordinator

Location: Abuja

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)
Since 1999, HKI has supported blindness prevention activities Nigeria through the implementation of onchocerciasis (river blindness) control and lymphatic filariasis (LF) control using the community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) approach for annual delivery of ivermectin (Mectizan) and Albendazole tablets to eligible populations infected or at risk of infection. While onchocerciasis (a parasitic disease caused by filarial worms and one of the causes of avoidable blindness), is effectively controlled through ivermectin intake, lymphatic filariasis (which causes disfiguration of the body like swollen limbs and elephant skin), is controlled through intake of albendazole. Currently Helen Keller International (HKI) assists three states in Nigeria with the control of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF), namely Adamawa, Akwa Ibom and Borno States.

Job Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Country Director (CD), the Program Coordinator NTD oversees the formulation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of HKI Nigeria’s programs and projects to ensure consistency with the national development and HKI corporate priorities and outcomes. Presently this role will require some coordination function extending to eye health programs HKI is engaged in.

Coordination:

• In collaboration with the CD develop HKI Nigeria country office NTD strategy and support its implementation at program and operations level and ensure its relevance to national priority;
• Submit reports to Country Director, donors and government
• Justify all travel advances within the stipulated days of travel, and program advances within the stipulated days of receipts of funds
• Ensure supervision of NTDs program activities in HKI assisted states
• Prepare annual HKI Nigeria Eye Health/NTD work plans, with participation from partners and HKI staff and ensure execution of these programs

Partnerships and External Stakeholder Relations:

• Actively participate in key relevant national and state level nutrition technical forums and keep HKI program staff and partners informed on new developments in the field
• Maintain good and regular communication with the Ministry of Health and other Government partners, donors, UN agencies and partners.
• Identify new partners and develop opportunities for collaboration.
• Develop competitive proposals to attract additional resources towards Eye Health/NTD programs in HKI-Nigeria

Technical Capacity:

• Provide technical assistance to National and State Eye Health Programs and other development partners; Support Federal ministry of health in the development and review of National Guideline for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
• Develop, review and edit strategies, policies and documents as requested by partners and the Ministry Of Health; pre-test and disseminate materials and training modules as required
• Liaise with HKI assisted states to ensure program ownership as a way to program sustainability
• Assist state program managers for development of concept notes and submission of treatment reports to the African Program for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC)
• Promote Eye care and NTD discussions in health training facilities, during charges meetings and during annual meetings of health care professionals.
• Ensure early application of Mectizan and Albendazole on behalf of assisted states for Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic filariasis control

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• To strengthen technical reporting and in accordance with defined reporting schedule and program indicators.
• Track program progress using mutually agreed indicators, targets, and recommend remedial action to keep programs on course.
• Implement coverage validation surveys after MDA

Competencies Required

• Demonstrates technical knowledge pertaining to job requirement
• Able to work under pressure minimal supervision and able to meet up deadlines.
• Ability to use computer software such as Microsoft office, internet Must possess good interpersonal skills and a good team player.
• Exhibit strong leadership and decision making skills
• Demonstrated excellent personal integrity and confidentially

Qualifications Required

• Minimum of Master degree in microbiology, parasitology, entomology or similar field; medicine or health related field
• Master of Public Health
• Minimum of 3-5 years experience