Job Title
Technical Research Trainer, Global Fund Malaria Control Programme
Location
Kabul, Afghanistan
Contract Date
As soon as possible with initial contract ending October 2008
Place in the organisation
Reports to the Programme Manager Malaria Control Programme; closely collaborates with relevant departments of the Ministry of Public Health

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The goal of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) is to reduce the incidence of malaria in Afghanistan by 50% by the year 2010. This is in line with Roll Back Malaria (RBM)’s overall goal and the Millennium Development Goals. The programme is being implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), specifically with the Malaria Department and the Global Fund Management Unit (GFMU) within the MoPH. The programme proposal has 6 objectives, 2 of which are implemented under the management of HealthNet TPO and the other 4 are implemented under the management of the GFMU.  The HealthNet TPO goals include:

• Scale up and improve coverage and quality of long lasting impregnated nets (LLIN) implementation through existing and new channels in the 14 target provinces. This objective includes large-scale distribution of LLIN through existing and new market partners, with health education, awareness and marketing campaigns.
• Scale up operational research to facilitate evidence based programming of malaria control activities. The research activities focus on implementing operational research in such a way that the Afghan counterparts are able to understand and carry out evidence based operational research.

The specific research activities planned within this programme include:

• Assessment of the role of private sector in malaria diagnosis, treatment and control;
• Establishment of functional national sentinel site for malaria data collection;
• Monitoring of anti-malarial drug resistance;
• Assessment of the entomological situation in Afghanistan through entomological surveys, insecticide resistance monitoring, vector incrimination (Sporozoite ELISA);

The main aspects of the research activities on which local capacity has to be developed include:

• development of protocol 
• obtaining ethical approach from the relevant committees at national level
• designing population and private sector based surveys
• monitoring implementation of the project and provide regular technical back-stopping to the National
• Research Team 
• data collection, management and compilation and analysis
• writing of scientific report /paper on the outcome of the study

2. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Technical/ Research Trainer is responsible for training and supervising research staff of the HealthNet TPO technical team and staff members of the relevant departments of the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, in such a way that these staff members in 3 years time are able to implement operational research activities on disease control. The Technical/ Research Trainer will also coordinate and provide the training and supervision on the different aspects of operational research including; the development of research protocols, research implementation plan, data collection, data analysis and writing of research reports and publications.

3. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

• To supervise and train technical and research teams of HealthNet TPO in the implementation of operational research activities of the GFR5 malaria project.
• To supervise and carry out on-the-job training of the research teams in the development and implementation of all necessary steps required for operational research activities such as the development of research protocol, data collection and analysis and report writing
• To provide technical support for APHI/MoPH on operational research issues 
• To supervise the establishment of entomological facilities in the regions in close coordination with MoPH
• To develop new fields of operational research activities in the Afghan HealthNet TPO projects in close collaboration with the Amsterdam public health and research department, the Afghan   HealthNet TPO research team and other stakeholders.
• To involve, where necessary, technical support from research institutes and universities abroad in the operational research activities in Afghanistan.
• To identify opportunities for capacity building of the HealthNet TPO research team domestically and/or abroad.
• To prepare quarterly reports on the progress of the capacity of the HealthNet TPO research team.
• To actively participate in research related meetings with HealthNet TPO staff and other stakeholders.
• Dissemination of the research outcome among relevant National/International Partners at regular intervals agreed upon with HealthNet TPO

4. PROFILE

• Post graduate degree in epidemiology or vector borne disease control
• Minimum of 5 years experience in operational research on vector borne disease control, including malaria.
• At least 5 research publications as Principal investigator, including vector borne disease control of malaria.
• Fluency in written/spoken English  
• Computer literacy, including data base and analysis programs used in health research EPI info, SPS
• Experience in capacity building and training of researchers.
• Willingness to understand and accept local traditions and customs.
• Experience working with NGO’s or UN in an international health setting especially post-conflict countries; 
• Proven proposal writing, reporting and budget management skills and experience;  
• Experience in working with national authorities, stakeholders as NGO’s and local communities;
• Strong interpersonal, coaching, management and leadership skills; 
• Ability to live in a restrictive environment where security is changeable;   

5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The initial contract will be based on PSO conditions for 40 hours per week starting as soon as possible till October 31, 2008 with the option to extend based on performance and donor funding. Due to the location this is a non-dependent post.

For more information please contact our HRM department at HealthNet TPO, Tolstraat 127, Amsterdam telephone number: 020-512 06 46 or email to recruitment@healthnettpo.org.  For more information on our organization, please check our website: www.healthnettpo.org.

To apply please send your CV and letter (including your motivation) to recruitment@healthnettpo.org by May 30, 2008. When applying include the following title in the e-mail subject line: TRT. Candidates selected for an interview will be requested to provide three references.