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Malawi Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Activity

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) requires support to achieve Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI)/Malawi targets in indoor residual spraying through planning, management and implementation of a high-quality indoor residual spraying (IRS) program in identified districts. The proposed activities are to be done with full collaboration of key Malawi Government ministries, particularly the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Agriculture, and the Environmental Affairs Department (DEA) and other relevant authorities in designated districts.

The Malawi Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Activity is implemented by a consortium of organizations including Chemonics International Inc. as the prime contractor, and i+solutions, and Malaria Consortium as partners. The consortium is committed to the implementation of Malawi's IRS activity, under the USAID President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) supporting the Government of Malawi in spray campaigns in two districts of Nkhotakota and Salima. The Technical Operations Coordinator is hired by the Malaria Consortium, and fully-seconded to Chemonics IRS Project Office in Malawi.


Responsibilities
The Technical Operations Coordinator (TOC) serves as key personnel for Malawi Indoor Residual Spraying Activity. Based in Lilongwe, Malawi, the position is 100% devoted to the project, and reports directly to the Project Chief of Party. The TOC coordinates the operations of the project; liaises with the project staff, District Health Management Teams (DHMTs), and supervises the 2 IRS District Coordinators; provides technical oversight of the project in close collaboration with the partners and under technical guidance of the Chief of Party, and generates activity reports. The main responsibilities of the TOC are outlined below:

Coordination and supervision of technical operations of the IRS project
• Provide technical leadership and supervision of the IRS and coordinates the IRS operations.
• Work closely with the Chief of Party to provide the necessary support to activities.
• Coordinate the development of operational plans for the IRS campaigns including detailed implementation plans at the district level.
• Oversee the planning and execution of training including TOT, IEC, Environmental compliance, logistics management etc;
• Guide and Supervise the technical personnel on all IRS areas for quality IRS implementation
• Plan and coordinate with the NMCP for medical and other examinations required for the spray operations teams
• Ensure that all the necessary equipment and supplies (including spray pumps and spare parts, insecticides, protective equipment, supplies for field work, means of transport), trained manpower, and operational funds are in place in pre-determined sites well in advance of the start of the spraying operations.
• Coordinate the development of training materials and guidelines for use by the spraying personnel, including spray operators, mobilizers and supervisors .
• Ensure that up-to-date geographical reconnaissance documents, including district key maps, individual locality maps and household level data are in place before the spray season.
• Ensure the implementation of the IRS activities is carried out under high quality supervision.
• Coordinate the development of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan and process in collaboration with the partners.
• Coordinate the planning of surveys and collection of relevant M&E data to regularly assess the process of the IRS operations, the coverage, entomological and epidemiological impact, and effectiveness in collaboration with partners.
• Ensure that the IRS operations are carried out according to environmental compliance standards, requirements and recommendations.
• Ensure that suitable spray operators, team leaders and supervisors are recruited according to guidelines and are given appropriate training before IRS campaigns.
• Ensure IE&C materials are developed and disseminated to increase knowledge about malaria and IRS within communities and to influence positive behavioral changes to increase IRS uptake, reduce refusal rates and increase compliance and human safety.
• Harmonize the planning, implementation and M&E of the various IRS activities with the NMCP and DHMTs and ensure that strategic and operational aspects of the project are well coordinated with the programmes of key stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the technical team members and liaise with the M&E officer in reporting and report writing

Liaison with internal partners
- Liaise with DHMTs of the PMI beneficiary districts and coordinate with the National Malaria Control Program regarding the harmonization of the planning, implementation, M&E of IRS activities,
- Liaise with the Chief of Party and Finance Manager regarding logistics and financial requirements to address the different technical components of the project.
- Ensure that short-term consultants working on different aspects of the IRS operation are given the necessary technical and administrative support.

Development of reports and technical documents
Develop technical documents and reports related to the project, according to the planned frequencies, M&E plans and performance management plans.
- Ensure technical team members write quality reports for the various areas of responsibility
- Document the programme progress, challenges and lessons learnt and maintain organized information.
- Carry out other duties and tasks as required.

Line Management
The Technical Operations Coordinator reports to the Chief of Party.

Location
The Technical Operations Coordinator is based in Lilongwe, with frequent field visits to the project sites.
Position requirements:
• Previous experience in IRS program
• Ability to write quality reports
• Supervisory skills
• A good team builder and team player
• Ability to work with minimum supervision