Senior Malaria Advisor (DOS/LEAP Global) – Nigeria

ZemiTek•Bethesda, MD

About The Position

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) – a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC and Dexis Consulting Group – is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global), a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. As of July 1, 2025, LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries. The Senior Malaria Advisor will support the National and State Malaria Programs in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives and the America First Global Health Strategy. The primary focus of the Advisor will be technical leadership to ensure the successful implementation of cost-effective, lifesaving direct service delivery for malaria prevention and treatment. The Senior Malaria Advisor will provide expert malaria technical guidance to the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) and the Ministry of Health in the design and management of in-country programs/projects/activities and in the development of host-country policies, reflecting best practices in malaria prevention and control. The job holder will identify programmatic bottlenecks and facilitate solutions through coordinated technical expertise in support of the cooperating country’s development objectives. The Senior Malaria Advisor will be primarily based in Abuja with possible office co-location considering proximity to the U.S Department of State (DOS) Health Assistance Team, NMEP, and other key malaria partners. The Advisor will receive day-to-day directions from the National Coordinator (NC) of the National Malaria Elimination Program, who will serve as the onsite Manager/Supervisor. The Advisor will report to the U.S. Department of State on a monthly basis, as described below.

Requirements

Master’s degree or local equivalent from an accredited program in Public Health, International Development, Health, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology, Biology, Infectious Disease, Medicine, Pharmacy, or immunization.
Prior Work Experience: Minimum of 7 years’ experience in public health, with a strong focus on malaria, preferably in a similar setting.
Prior experience working with or for bilateral or multilateral donors/stakeholders such as the World Bank, the Global Fund, or national-level public sector projects and ensuring compliance with U.S. Government rules and regulations.
Demonstrated ability to review, analyze and advise all aspects of malaria programming at national and state level.
Up to date knowledge of ongoing and emerging issues in malaria, like epidemiology, international policy, evidence development and malaria control strategies, new drugs and new diagnostics.
Experience working with key stakeholders in malaria programming, preferably the national stakeholders and international donors.
Ability to manage a complex portfolio of laboratory network strengthening.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a cross-cultural work environment.
Excellent written and oral communication in English and report writing skills.
Good computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Programs.
Excellent organizational, planning, negotiating and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with DOS funded public health programs.

Responsibilities

Provide expert malaria technical guidance to advance planning and implementation of malaria control interventions.
Support the development of national malaria program strategies, operational, and annual work plans.
Coordinate the design, planning and implementation of malaria prevention and control activities consistent with the US government’s strategy and with the NMEP. This will include but is not limited to vector control, case management at facility and community level, chemoprevention, support for malaria vaccine implementation, malaria in pregnancy, procurement and delivery of life-saving commodities, and associated monitoring and surveillance to ensure accountability and track progress.
Together with the malaria partners, provide high quality technical and managerial expertise to state MOH and local communities to strengthen institutional capacity.
Keep abreast of current developments and successful interventions via regular engagement with malaria experts (domestic and international) and NMEP officials, ensuring proven strategies and interventions are integrated in national malaria programming.
Ensure that U.S. government resources are maximized towards achievement of sustained results in malaria in line with U.S. government laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to prevent fraud, waste and abuse.
Provide technical support to the Department of State implementing partners and managerial support as needed during the planning, design and implementation phases to ensure the quality of interventions and programmatic targets are met.
Recommend changes in strategic and/or implementation approaches, using analysis of program performance.
Work with partners (in the country and global, as relevant) to ensure that programmatic commodities are purchased in a timely and cost-effective manner; and that absorptive capacity exists in implementation sites to receive, manage and distribute these items effectively.
Participate in forecasting and quantification meetings to inform malaria commodity quantifications that will guide donor procurements.
Troubleshoot bottlenecks in the ordering and delivery processes.
Provide expert advice and practical experience in helping the FMoH, the NMEP and other partners to monitor inputs, outputs and outcomes, and report on the program’s overall impact.
If required, work with the NMEP and other partners to develop and maintain a monitoring and evaluation plan to be implemented through existing Government of Nigeria systems and existing USG supported mechanisms.
Carry out monitoring and evaluation visits to implementation sites to ascertain all quantitative and qualitative data is collected properly, and programmatic quality and value for money are maintained.
Ensure effective communication and coordination between the national and state malaria elimination programs, other partners related to malaria prevention and control; Global Fund partners including other departments in the Federal and State MOH; donor agencies; and other stakeholders working on malaria control in the host country, as appropriate.
Ensure malaria activities are integrated into overall U.S. Department of State-supported health activities and coordinate these activities with the NMEP and FMoH to avoid duplication of effort and programming gaps.
Coordinate with other partners and support efforts to address malaria control delivery gaps and help build technical and managerial capacity within the NMEP at the national, state, local government, and community levels.
Participate in and contribute to malaria related service delivery meetings hosted by the NMEP and others including TWGs and Sub-committees.
Develop and maintain productive collaborative relationships with key partners and stakeholders to effectively assist DOS supported activities to complement and enhance all other malaria activities implemented in Nigeria.
The incumbent will also participate in meetings hosted by the NMEP on malaria
Regular conference calls with NMEP, partners, DOS and LEAP backstop team to review progress, discuss activities, and address emerging issues.
The Senior Malaria Advisor should provide information and avail him/herself for calls/meetings with the DOS Health Assistance Team as requested.
The Advisor will provide monthly reports to the DOS Health Assistance Coordinator.