Team Leader and Technical Advisor

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute is the biggest institution for public health, international health and tropical medicine in Switzerland. The institute with over 700 employees delivers a sustainable contribution with its research, education and services to the improvement of health worldwide.

To support a malaria control project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Swiss TPH is seeking applications for the following position:Team Leader and Technical Advisor

About the Project:

Swiss TPH is currently the recipient of a DFID grant to strengthen malaria control in the DR Congo. This DEFEAT MALARIA project is being managed by Population Services International and will increase access to and the use of quality assured preventive and care services and build capacity at the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP). Swiss TPH is responsible for leading the project component "Strengthening the capacity of the NMCP with a focus on their ability to generate and use information". Key tasks will be in the area of technical assistance, contributing building up a sentinel surveillance system, improve the use of existing data, and support the NMCP in its operational research agenda.

The position is sub-ordinated to the Project Director at the Swiss TPH in Basel and is embedded in an interdisciplinary team. The successful candidate will have to work with administrative support staff and other Swiss TPH professionals based in Basel, Switzerland.

External relations are established and maintained with all partners involved in the DFID DEFEAT MALARIA Project, as well as other partners working on malaria and its control in the DRC.

Aims of the job are:

• To oversee on-site in Kinshasa all aspects of the Swiss TPH component of the DFID DEFEAT MALARIA Project, including scientific, strategic, personnel and financial issues.

• To contribute to the overall success and reputation of the Swiss TPH in DR Congo and more widely.

Tasks and responsibilities include:

• To manage the staff, office and other resources of the Swiss TPH component of the DFID DEFEAT MALARIA Project in Kinshasa.

To ensure technical and managerial planning and implementation of all project activities.

• To provide technical assistance and support to the NMCP in the areas of sentinel site surveillance monitoring and evaluation, operational research, capacity building for improved generation and use of information, and overall management.

• To ensure regular communication between different partners at local, national and international level, and to closely liaise with multi- and bilateral agencies and NGOs in all matters that are relevant to the project.

• To provide continuously capacity building to NMCP and project staff.

• To participate in technical and scientific meetings related to project matters in DR Congo.

• To contribute to the dissemination of project experience, through media aimed at a general public or a science/public health audience.

• To contribute to the public relations effort of the Swiss TPH with the general public, donors and Swiss and Congolese authorities.

The ideal candidate would have the following qualifications:

• Formal qualification in a subject related to public health (at least MSc degree level) and if possible a postgraduate training in public health or an MBA.

• Expertise of at least 2 years in malaria control and/or operational malaria research.

• Minimum of 5 years of working experience in the field of public health and/or epidemiology in malaria- endemic countries.

• Excellent written and oral command of English and French.

• Previous management experience and the ability to work independently as well as in a team.

• Excellent intercultural competency and capacity to work in a challenging setting.

• Ability to communicate with high level policy makers and international partners.

Location: The position is based in Kinshasa, DRC.

Salary: Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Start of contract: November 2017 or upon agreement

End of contract: March 31, 2019

For further information on Swiss TPH consult our website: http://www.swisstph.ch/

Please upload your complete application documentation – including motivation letter and references – using the application button below (please use our standardized CV whenever possible).

Contact

For questions about the position: Dr. Barbara Matthys (barbara.matthys@swisstph.ch) or Prof. Christian Lengeler (christian.lengeler@swisstph.ch)

For administrative questions: Ms Susanne Zulauf (s.zulauf@swisstph.ch)