Technical Officer - Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL)

Company Description

Amref Health Africa was founded in 1957 and has since grown to become the largest African-based international health development organization; currently implementing more than 180 programs, reaching more than 40 million people across 35 African countries; and a staff complement of over 2,000. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref Health Africa has offices in ten countries in Africa – Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea (Conakry), Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. An additional eleven advocacy and fundraising offices are located in Europe and North America.

Amref Health Africa is driven by its vision of ‘Lasting health change in Africa’ and its mission ‘To catalyze and drive community-led and people-centered health systems while addressing social determinants of health’. We believe that the power to transform Africa's health lies within its communities, and therefore strive to ensure that health systems are not only functional but that communities are empowered to hold these systems accountable for the delivery of quality and affordable health care.

Job Description

OVERVIEW OF THE NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASE PROGRAM

The Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Program at Amref's Kenya Country Office supports the Ministry of Health and county governments across various counties in Kenya in implementing interventions on various NTDs, including Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), Schistosomiasis (SCH), Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) and Snake Bite Envenoming (SBE). LF and VL have been earmarked for elimination as public health problems by 2030, whereas SCH has been earmarked for elimination as a public health problem in areas where elimination is feasible but control in areas where elimination is not feasible. STH has been fully earmarked for control.

The Program is also working with other stakeholders to develop its NTDs Big Bet Agenda, which focuses on eliminating LF, VL, and SCH across all endemic regions of Kenya, which will catalyze additional evidence-based and cost-effective programmatic investments.

OVERVIEW OF VL PROJECT

The VL project aims to accelerate elimination of visceral leishmaniosis through a multi-faceted approach that includes; i) Comprehensive case management for approximately 2,600 patients to ensure 100% cure rate, and case fatality rate (CFR) <1%; ii) Active case search, testing approximately 12,000 people in endemic counties while treating latent cases; iii) Capacity-building healthcare workers on diagnosis, treatment, and reporting; iv) Strengthening epidemiological surveillance systems ensuring at least 90% of all VL cases are detected and treated within 30 days of the onset of symptoms; v)Leveraging Kenya Medical Supplies Agency's electronic logistics management system to strengthen supply chain systems and commodity management.

The project will be implemented in Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kitui, Marsabit, Mandera, Tharaka Nithi, Turkana, Samburu, Wajir and West Pokot counties.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for a highly skilled, organized, and experienced Technical Officer to provide technical support in the planning and executing of the Visceral Leishmaniasis program activities in Kenya. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and international partners. The position will be based in Nairobi, with regular travels to the field to provide technical and implementation support to both county and national governments and other stakeholders. A deep knowledge of working within Kenya’s health system and the epidemiology and elimination strategies for Visceral Leishmaniasis is essential. The ideal candidate should possess strong strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES;

1. Technical Work

• Support the Ministry of Health in Kenya to establish systems that will that ensure at least 90% of VL cases are timely detected and treated within 30 days of the onset of symptoms
• Support in the development and implementation of key strategic documents, including VL treatment guidelines, Kenya VL elimination national strategic plan and Social Behavior Change Communication strategy
• Support in developing and implementing Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for activities such as Active community-based case search, patient post-discharge follow-up, referrals, supply chain, vector control, and outbreak preparedness and epidemic response plan
• Capacity-building healthcare workers regularly on VL diagnosis, treatment, and management
• Ensure high-quality and timely submission of VL diagnosis and treatment reports
• Participate in various internal and external disease-specific technical working and advisory groups
• Support in conducting monthly inventory of treatment drugs and diagnostics stock levels at the designated testing and treatment centers (health facilities)

2. Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning & Surveillance

• Conduct service quality assurance to ensure standardized diagnosis, treatment, and management of VL patients for better patient outcomes
• Assist in improving the collection of weekly VL epidemiological data through the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) surveillance system, conduct analyses with support from the project's data analyst, and generate and disseminate the findings to relevant stakeholders
• Periodically monitor key VL indicators related to the elimination of VL in Kenya
• Assist in strengthening collaboration and coordination with other disease programs
• Assist in developing survey protocols, designing data collection instruments, and survey implementation

3. Reporting and Documentation

• Support in the development of periodic internal and donor reports
• Work with the program's knowledge management officer and program team to develop successful, impactful stories for broader dissemination
• Contribute to the preparation of presentations, funding proposals, and other documentation as needed.

4. Perform any other duties as assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a Health-related discipline
• Valid registration certificate and practicing license from relevant regulatory bodies
• Minimum of three years of experience in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), with specific experience in Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL)

Desirable Skills and Competences

• Strong program management skills; strategic about achieving set objectives
• Agile and able to simultaneously manage and ensure quality execution of multiple tasks
• Detail-oriented, excellent in oral and written communication, with strong analytical skills
• Good presentation skills.
• Have strong critical, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a high degree follow-through
• Ability to work independently, think creatively, handle ambiguity, and work in a fast-paced environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Around 50% of the Job holder’s time is spent in the office while 50% is spent in the field.

HOURS OF WORK

• Normal Working Hours.

Additional Information

Your application should include a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position and your CV with relevant skills and experience. Closing date will be Friday 8th August 2025.

Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants, all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @amref.org address.

Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.