Bloodstream Infectious Prevalence Survey Monitors at World Health Organization

Grade

No grade

Contractual Arrangement

Special Services Agreement (SSA)

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)

12 months

Job Posting

Nov 13, 2024, 9:30:31 AM

Closing Date

Dec 3, 2024, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

Malawi-Lilongwe

Organization

AF_MWI Malawi

Schedule

Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.

Purpose of the Position

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant health threat particularly in resource-limited settings, where effective microbiological services and reserve category antibiotics may be unavailable. Until capacity for continuous antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance is stablished, the AMR division at WHO recommends the implementation of periodic national surveys of prevalence, health, and economic burden of AMR, to help strengthen capacity in countries where surveillance systems are still nascent, and to accelerate the availability of quality assured representative AMR data that can inform national and global policy and action. Malawi is among the first countries to implement this type of survey, which focuses on estimating AMR in human bloodstream infections, in individuals seeking acute hospital inpatient care.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):

The overall objective is to provide close monitoring of survey daily activities and providing support where gaps are observed in accordance with pre-defined scientific and quality standards, and in close collaboration with the Malawi Ministry of Health (MoH), WHO, clinical and laboratory personnel and topic experts.

Organizational Context (Describe The Work Environment, The Role Of The Individual Within The Team – Team Member, Specialist, Adviser, Facilitator, Coordinator/manager, Representative, Expert, Authority In The Field, Etc.; Available Guidelines And Degree Of Independence In Decision Making, And Nature And Purpose Of Contact Within And Outside The Organization):

Five full-time national survey monitors are needed for the day-to-day monitoring of the survey. The survey monitors will be responsible for monitoring and organizing various aspects of survey including providing refresher training or mentorship of survey team on survey techniques and procedures, use of survey tools and equipment, data management, and review of survey results.

Summary of assigned duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected):

Under The Supervision Of a National Survey Coordinator For Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) In Collaboration With The Principal Investigator/s, The Roles Of The Survey Monitors Are To:

• Monitor survey activities in hospitals on a weekly basis by means of reviewing of survey forms and logs, as well as remote assessments and discussions
• Remote screening of activities in hospitals to make sure agreed SOPs are adhered to.
• Ensure that all eligible patients are enrolled into the survey following consent
• Monitor that information provided to patients, and the patient consent process, is as per the standards agreed with the local ethics committee
• Ensure all survey forms are appropriately filled, to allow supervision of survey activities
• Ensure that sample collection, referral of specimens, and transportation times for specimens, adhere to standards outlined in the protocol
• Supervise communications between hospitals, couriers and laboratories
• Ensure that forms and copies of forms are appropriately archived and/or transported to the next level facility without any losses
• Provide daily report on the activities, data entry and key milestones of each allocated facility
• Monitor that all clinical staff is aware of survey activities and appropriately trained
• Monitor that all new ward staff receive induction training
• Regularly deliver remote refreshment training on the survey
• Report activities of intermediate laboratories and track survey samples
• Assist in data entry of the survey forms and results
• Monitor that laboratory test results are communicated back to clinicians in a timely fashion
• Escalate any issues identified to ensure that corrective measures are implemented
• Perform other relevant tasks to facilitate quality and progress of the survey, as indicated by the National AMR survey coordinator

Education (Qualifications):

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Essential: Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following Medical and medical allied Disciplines: Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nursing, Clinical medicine, Public Health, Clinical Research or Epidemiology

Desirable: Training in Research methodologies

Experience:

Essential: At least 5 years of experience in research or health service delivery

Desirable: Registered with relevant health regulatory authorities

Languages:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English

Other Skills (e.g. IT Or Language):

 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Functional Skills/Knowledge

 

• Experience in handling data collection forms and data.