Entomology Assistants at Malaria Consortium - Ondo

Malaria Consortium was established in 2003, Malaria Consortium is one of the world’s leading non-profit organisations specialising in the prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable populations. Our mission is to save lives and improve health in Africa and Asia, through evidence-based programmes that combat targeted diseases and promote universal health coverage.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Entomology Assistant

Location: Ondo
Employment Type: Temporary

Organisational Background

• Established in 2003, Malaria Consortium is one of the world’s leading non-profit organisations specialising in comprehensive prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable and underserved populations. 
• We increasingly find our work on malaria to be effectively integrated with other public health interventions for greater impact and therefore expand our remit to include child health and neglected tropical disease interventions.
• Malaria Consortium in collaboration with National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) implemented insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) campaign in Ondo State in December 2021. 
• Malaria Consortium is also implementing a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) research in relation to the campaign.
• Both the campaign and the M&E research are funded by Open Philanthropy based on GiveWell’s recommendation.
• The Ondo Net Campaign M&E Project is gathering comprehensive data to assess the outcomes of the campaign in terms of ITN coverage, cost, use rates and net durability, as well as to monitor relevant epidemiological and entomological indicators such as impact on malaria incidence rates reported from thirty-one health facilities across the state, vector biting habits and insecticide resistance.

Purpose of the Assignment

• The purpose of this terms of reference (TOR) is to engage research personnel that will carry out an entomological study in 6 selected sites in Ondo State. 
• The entomology study is intended to generate data on the insecticide resistance status of malaria vectors, which will serve as a reference point for measuring future changes in response to planned vector control interventions.

Scope:

• The survey will be used to gather data on insecticide resistance of malaria vectors in Ondo State. The insecticide resistance data will be used for assessing changes in insecticide resistance status of the local vectors post-ITN distribution campaign from February 2022 to June 2025.

Methods:

• The study will be done in the two main study sites selected in each of the two ecological zones of Ondo State: the humid forest and derived savanna. 
• The selection of the sites was done based on the following features: proximity to a health facility, availability of mosquito breeding sites, a rural setting, proximity to a meteorological station, and accessibility by road. 
• For each of the main sites, two minor sentinel mosquito larvae collection sites in neighbouring LGAs will be used for resistance studies, intensity and synergist assays.

Responsibilities
Entomology Assistant:

• Assists the entomology team leader and technician in all field activities.
• Collects mosquito larvae for insecticide resistance studies.
• Ensures that all mosquito larvae collection forms, and geographic coordinates are recorded accurately.
• Will be required to attend training prior to the survey.
• Reports to the entomology technician or the team leader any issues and helps to solve problems.

Deliverables:

• Mosquito larvae collected for insecticide resistance studies by the assistants.
• Insecticide susceptibility tests conducted in two main sites and their sentinel sites by the team leaders and assisted by the technicians.
• A comprehensive report of activity using Malaria Consortium’s report template by the team leaders.

Qualifications and experience

• Minimum qualification of an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) or equivalent,
• Good knowledge of the English language.
• Excellent proficiency in languages spoken in the study community, and proficiency in Yoruba and Ijaw languages.
• Must be from the local community or the selected local government area.

Application Closing Date
24th May, 2025; 5:00pm.