Regional WASH-NTD Coordinator

About the Organization

NALA aims to break the poverty cycle by eradicating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and other diseases of poverty. The NALA holistic approach tacklesthe root causes of diseases, leading to sustainable impact and poverty reduction. We aim to achieve our mission by:

• Assisting regional, national and international actors in designing and implementing programs for controlling NTDs and other diseases of poverty, using community engagement and health education for behavioral change. 
• Researching, developing and testing new NTD control modalities and tools.
• Advocating for holistic NTD control models with stakeholders and decision makers that promote behavioral change.

About the project

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of communicable diseases which affect more than one billion people in the world, costing billions of dollars every year. They mainly affect populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors and domestic animals and livestock. NTDs deepen marginalization, stigmatization and social and economic burden on rural and economically disadvantaged populations.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) of Ethiopia has launched its first national NTD Master Plan in 2013. The 2013-2015 master plan put in place a structure at the MOH to coordinate NTD control and elimination interventions and intensified country-wide disease mapping, so as to enhance evidence-based program management. In 2016, the Ministry updated the document and launched the second NTD Master Plan for the period 2016-2020. This master plan was focused on mainstreaming and integration of NTD activities within the key sectors and partners in the country. In the third NTD master plan-that is currently under use identifies, Multisectoral Coordination is one of the four main cross cutting themes. This coordination platform, plans to focus on increased access to at least basic water supply, sanitation and hygiene in NTD endemic Woredas and decreased number of deaths from vector-borne NTDs. In the Ministry’s strategic plan an emphasis is put on the need for creating a coordination mechanism between WASH and NTD sectors, which would improve access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure and hygiene services in NTD endemic communities, creating an enabling environment for a sustainable behavioral change and achieving disease prevalence reduction. NTD elimination is further enhanced through fostering a collaborative platform between all relevant sectors at Regional, Zonal and Woreda levels.

NALA has been working on multisectoral WASH-NTD Coordination at national and regional level, including in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, SNNPR, Afar, Somali and South West Ethiopia regions. The project in Amhara region focuses on strengthening intersectoral WASH-NTD coordination at regional and lower levels, including the implementation of the woreda level toolkit and different capacity building activities. The post holder will support the region through 

• planning coordination activities, 
• leading and supporting both the Task Forces and Technical Working Groups in the region,
• ensuring the implementation of the woreda level toolkit,
• cascading the online and in-person WASH-NTD trainings and 
• leading integrated supportive supervisions in the region. 

Specific roles/responsibilities 

• The post holder will be epositioned at Amhara Regional Health Bureau (RHB) in Bahir Dar with frequent travel to Zones and Woredas and will serve as the main liaison for WASHNTD coordination in the region. 
• Strengthen the already established regional level collaborative WASH-NTD platforms with close follow-up, monitoring and supportive supervisions. 
• Report to the Diseases Prevention & Health Promotion Directorate and closely works with the RHB NTD team leaders and WASH team leaders.
• Play a leading role of the coordination work on the regional, zonal and district levels. This will include; planning meetings, setting the agenda, sharing reports and communicating with relevant stakeholders and partners. 
• Ensure there is a functional WASH-NTD platform using the coordination TOR and the toolkit. 
• Advocate and disseminate the WASH-NTD coordination tools and strengthen engagement of experts via the online training and using various communication channels. 
• Support the RHB to strengthen routine WASH-NTD data collection using existing reporting system such as NTD DHIS2 and integrated supportive supervision checklist. 
• Compile WASH-NTD related information in the relevant region and share to the NALA head office on a monthly bases or as required.
• Support other NALA projects that are implemented in the specific region as necessary per immediate supervisor request.

COMPETENCIES -

• Has strong analytical skills. Thinks and acts strategically and ensures that activities are prioritized and aligned within an agreed strategy. 
• Has strong leadership and mediation skills. Able to mentor, problem solve and lead.
• Has good writing skills.
• Communicates clearly and works effectively with a wide range of people to reach common understanding. 
• Is fluent in English and Amharic languages and is able to communicate freely (written and orally).
• Able to juggle multiple activities at the same time

Report to: NALA Program Manager

Employment Duration: Immediately start -until December 31/2023 G.C with possibility of extension. The post holder will have 3-month trial period.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE -

• Masters in relevant field, such as public health, nursing, environmental health, or related field.
• Knowledge in NTDs and WASH specifically on WHO Trachoma SAFE strategy.
• At least 5 years’ relevant experience, including, leading different workshops, providing training, coordinating multisector activities and behavioural change programs in the health sector. 
• Experience in developing training manuals/guideline, designing curriculum and behavioural change materials. - Experience with WASH-NTD coordination is an advantage. - Computer literate. 
• Experience communicating with remote and international teams including using file sharing (drop box/google drive/jumbo mail etc.), voice over IP applications (WhatsApp, Viber, Skype etc.)