Local Operational Research Officer at the MENTOR Initiative

The MENTOR Initiative is a UK registered charitable, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization working globally to relieve human suffering from tropical diseases. With support from BHA-PUI, The MENTOR Initiative is implementing Emergency Control of Malaria amongst high malaria areas in Borno state. The MENTOR Initiative works in close partnership with the MoH in Nigeria to build technical capacity and effective planning and responses to malaria and other VBDs.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Technical Officer

Location: Borno
Reporting to: Senior Operational Research Officer/ Operational Research Manager

The Context

• The MENTOR Initiative is an international NGO, which directly assists developing countries in their fight against malaria and other vector borne disease.
• The MENTOR Initiative provides support in the fight against malaria and other vector borne diseases through three key activities: intensive development of the technical capacity of humanitarian organizations and national partners, technical support for in-country programs, and operational research for the development and evaluation of innovative and context-specific tools for improved vector borne disease control.
• The MENTOR Initiative works in collaboration with various international agencies and governments including the United Nations, the Ministry of Health, and other Humanitarian Organizations. In close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, MENTOR is implementing large scale Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) and community mobilization on malaria and hygiene promotion campaigns in the conflict affected areas of Borno state of Nigeria. In addition, MENTOR is conducting a research study to evaluate the protective efficacy of a novel tool in humanitarian crisis settings: a spatial repellent tool called Mesh which provides long-lasting protection to users, with predicted efficacy of 6 months. We are planning to assess the efficacy of Mesh in reducing malaria cases in displacement camps near Maiduguri.

Terms of Reference:

• Local Operational Research Officer.

Overall, Job Purpose

• Under the direct supervision of the Senior Operational Research Officer/ Operational Research Manager, the Local Operational Research Officer is responsible for epidemiological monitoring, evaluating cases of malaria in a cohort of 4–59-month-old children in Maiduguri (and any other areas assigned as required).

Summary of duties and Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Operational Research Officer/Manager and provide support in the following:
• Overviewing the MENTOR Operational Research, including the epidemiological activities in the field: Monitoring malaria cases in a children cohort below 5 years.
• Supervising the research field team to adhere to the work protocols for epidemiological activities in the field (RDT malaria tests for the children, blood spot sampling on filter paper, malaria treatment in case of positivity), in line with programme planning
• Supervising the research field team to ensure accurate and reliable data collection in the field (medical data of children and survey data of the intervention), timely and completely data reporting to the research team, in line with programme planning
• Regular communication between the field team and the Operational Research Officer/Manager (translation English, Hausa, other local languages)
• Overviewing the logistical procurement and maintenance of required field epidemiological equipment
• Coordinate with external agencies and partners to ensure that MENTOR activities follow a holistic approach with other vector control activities carried out in the research setting
• Facilitating local regulatory processes and obtaining permissions from local authorities for programme and research activities such as access to the field
• Work as part of the research field team.
• Coordination of field team activities across multiple sites
• Ensure the compliance of MENTOR programming for all grant contract obligations to provide technical and operational capacity building in the delivery of programming and research
• Prepare, organise and deliver technical training to the research field team for the implementation of epidemiological activities of the MENTOR Operational Research, in close collaboration with the MENTOR Research Officer/Manager
• Develop technical materials such as Standard Operating Procedures, training protocols, work protocols and data collection forms, needed for the successful implementation of programme and research activities.

Project support:

• Assist the Senior Operational Research Officer/ Operational Research Manager in the day-to-day activities’ implementation of the research.
• Participate in training sessions and meetings

Reporting:

• Provide regular updates to Senior Operational Research Officer/ Operational Research Manager on the progress of all field activities.
• Periodic reporting of the research activities.

Others:

• Work as part of an established team with excellent communication skills, team builder, flexible, adaptable and willing to work and travel to other field locations when required.
• All other tasks asked by the Senior Operational Research Officer/ Operational Research Manager if needed.
• Adhere to the agreed MENTOR Code of conduct on Ethics and Integrity and safeguarding including Whistle blowing policy.

External:

• Liaise with the Senior Operational Research Officer/ Operational Research Manager on critical or sensitive matters.
• Specific external communication such as interview by media groups, other agencies, donors or government high level authorities should be referred to the Operational Research Manager at all times.
• The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are non-exhaustive and can evolve depending on the organization’s needs.

Job Requirements

• Degree in Medicine / Medical Sciences with a Doctorial or Nursing background
• Significant experience in Research, Managing Teams and field activities, preferrably in Maiduguri area/camps/related to health at community level.
• Able to work as part of an established team with excellent communication skills, team builder, flexible, adaptable.
• Reporting skills and use of KOBO Software
• Good oral/written comprehension: English and local language(s)
• Maiduguri indigene and resident preferred.

What We Offer

• Salary + Transport & National housing fund contributions + Social benefits (medical coverage, 24 days of Annual leaves per year, compassionate leaves, public holidays as announced by government)
• The Mentor Initiative applies a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, mistreatment or harassment, and other types of unethical behaviour including fraud.
• The Mentor Initiative will contact previous employers of applicants to determine if they have any history of violating international standards and codes of conduct relating to such matters.

Application Closing Date
9th March, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their CV including 3 references (not more than 4 pages) and a letter of motivation to: recruitment.nga@mentor-initiative.net using the position as the subject of the email.

Note: As position is required as soon as possible, interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. MENTOR reserves the right to select a candidate and finalize the recruitment before the application close date.