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Qualifications

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:

1.       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

2.       Remote screening of activities in hospitals to make sure agreed SOPs are adhered to.

3.       Ensure that all eligible patients are enrolled into the survey following consent

4.       Monitor that information provided to patients, and the patient consent process, is as per the standards agreed with the local ethics committee

5.       Ensure all survey forms are appropriately filled, to allow supervision of survey activities

6.       Ensure that sample collection, referral of specimens, and transportation times for specimens, adhere to standards outlined in the protocol

7.       Supervise communications between hospitals, couriers and laboratories

8.       Ensure that forms and copies of forms are appropriately archived and/or transported to the next level facility without any losses

9.       Provide daily report on the activities, data entry and key milestones of each allocated facility

10.   Monitor that all clinical staff is aware of survey activities and appropriately trained

11.   Monitor that all new ward staff receive induction training

12.   Regularly deliver remote refreshment training on the survey

13.   Report activities of intermediate laboratories and track survey samples

14.   Assist in data entry of the survey forms and results

15.   Monitor that laboratory test results are communicated back to clinicians in a timely fashion

16.   Escalate any issues identified to ensure that corrective measures are implemented

17.   Perform other relevant tasks to facilitate quality and progress of the survey, as indicated by the National AMR survey coordinator

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Education (Qualifications):

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.

WHO Competencies

1)      Communicating in a credible and effective way

2)      Producing results

3)      Fostering integration and teamwork

4)      Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Additional information

·    WHO has zero-tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

·         WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

·         The selected candidates will be contacted to provide certified documents.