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Senior Technical Manager, Parasitology (Bangalore or Delhi, India)

  • Reports to: Director of Evaluation and Measurement, Deworm the World Initiative
  • Location: Bangalore or Delhi, India
  • Deadline to Apply: Applicants reviewed on a rolling basis
  • Desired start date: As soon as possible preferred
  • Length of commitment: 2 years commitment is required for this position
  • NOTE: This position will be hired through a partner of IPA: Action Foundation for Social Services     
Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is an international non-profit research organization. Based in New Haven, CT, with offices in Washington, D.C. and worldwide, IPA works with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches to solving development problems, to communicate “what works” in development and to scale up successful projects in a variety of fields, including health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture.
Initiative Summary:
The Deworm the World Initiative (DtWI) actively supports the scale-up of school-based deworming programs worldwide to improve children’s health, education, and long-term development. School-based deworming is proven to be an extremely effective intervention with tangible health, education and productivity benefits, and is one of the most cost-effective methods of increasing overall school attendance and participation. DtWI operations in India are led by the Action Foundation for Social Services (AFSS), a Section 25 company headquartered in Bangalore with the objective of bringing well-researched social interventions to scale.  
DtWI has helped to treat over 43 million children across 27 countries since 2009. DtWI expands school-based deworming by supporting governments to launch, strengthen and sustain national/statewide programs, and provides direct technical assistance to plan, implement and evaluate deworming campaigns. DtWI currently has field teams based in Kenya and India.
Position Summary:
DtWI is seeking a Senior Technical Manager to serve as a primary technical resource and lead the field collection of worm prevalence and intensity data. The Senior Technical Manager will work with DtWI teams and partners to ensure all activities follow the latest guidelines, protocols and findings on helminth control for preschool and school-age children and lead technical response to field queries and needs. The Senior Technical Manager will also lead the development and execution of large-scale field surveys to assess worm prevalence and intensity in order to determine programmatic target areas and measure program impact. Survey activities will be primarily focused on Indian states where DtWI is currently or soon to be active.
The Senior Technical Manager will be part of the cross-cutting DtWI global team, which provides support across all programs, and will directly manage a Senior Research Coordinator.  The Senior Technical Manager will report to the DtWI Director of Evaluation and Measurement.
Responsibilities:
Serve as lead technical resource for DtWI
  • Stay current on technical knowledge including WHO and national guidelines for helminth control in school-age and preschool children and latest research and publications.
  • Ensure that programs are conducted in accordance with established protocols, including WHO and national guidelines.
  • Present evidence-based recommendations and documents to partners on all technical matters including frequency of treatment, drug recommendations including efficacy, dosage and distribution, and severe adverse events.
  • Respond to technical requests and queries from program teams and government partners.
  • Liaise with global technical experts and bodies, sourcing relevant technical expertise as needed.
Lead planning and implementation of helminth (primarily soil-transmitted) assessment and surveillance across all DtWI programs
  • Create an India-based resource pool to support the execution of field-based surveys, including:
    • Develop and execute a training course to measure prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminths through the Kato-Katz method, including working with parasitology experts to develop and deliver course material, identifying candidates, and instituting comprehensive assessment tools.
    • Identify additional methods of sourcing qualified parasitologists and lab technicians to participate in ongoing field surveys.
  • Manage the planning and execution of field surveys, including:
    • Develop relevant materials including comprehensive work plans and budgets, training and field operations manuals, and community awareness materials.
    • Determine appropriate sampling strategy in coordination with DtWI data team; identify and communicate with target schools and relevant officials; and ensure relevant survey protocols and permissions are met.
    • Recruit and train field survey teams.
    • Coordinate field survey logistics and oversee field survey execution.
  • Manage field survey data entry and analysis, in coordination with DtWI data team and relevant experts, including:
    • Set up formats and implement streamlined process for data collection and entry in the field.
    • Oversee data cleaning, data analysis and creation of maps.
    • Develop survey reports and disseminate to program teams, government partners and other stakeholders.
Desired Qualifications, Experience and Skills:
  • 5-7 years relevant experience including demonstrated project management experience.
  • Postgraduate degree or significant technical experience in epidemiology, tropical or infectious disease, parasitology, or related public health field.
  • Demonstrated success in training, managing and overseeing large project teams. 
  • Experience planning, training and conducting epidemiological or related field surveys, preferably on soil transmitted helminths or other neglected tropical diseases. 
  • Experience in developing systems for collecting, organizing and overseeing large sample and data sets a plus. 
  • Strong critical thinking and judgment to quickly identify problems and devise solutions, as well as escalate matters as needed.
  • Effective communication and collaboration with colleagues and partners at all levels to achieve desired results; able to manage multicultural and diverse teams with various levels of training and understanding.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Strict adherence to deadlines and able to prioritize among completing deadlines.
  • Strong computer skills, including MS Office Suite.  Knowledge of GIS a plus.
  • Able to travel within India regularly, and internationally as needed.
  • Fluency in English; Hindi a plus.
Required Attitude
  • Dedicated to DtWI’s mission and to contributing to a team environment that is evidence-driven, innovative and oriented to deliver the highest quality work.
  • Highly self-motivated and willing to be involved in all levels of work, with a “do what it takes” attitude.
  • Eager to be part of a fast-paced, growing program and nimble team with a start-up atmosphere.
How To Apply
Please follow the application instructions below.  Any applications or CVs submitted outside this process will not be considered.  Note, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. Please select the position(s) you are interested in applying for on the 'Submit Application' page. Include two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose (cover letter), CV, and transcripts. We will consider your application even if you are unable to obtain reference letters before the deadline, but please be advised that we will be requiring them should you be invited for an interview.
IPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer
All persons shall have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
IPA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs@poverty-action.org.
DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the Senior Techincal Manager. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs@poverty-action.org.