KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis (TB), the first deadliest infectious disease in the world. KNCV is an international center of expertise for TB control that promotes effective, efficient, innovative and sustainable tuberculosis control strategies in a national and international context.

We are an organization of passionate TB professionals, including doctors, researchers, training experts, nurses, and epidemiologists. We aim to stop the spread of the worldwide epidemic of TB and to prevent the further spread of drug-resistant TB. We operate from a central office in The Hague in the Netherlands, a regional office in Central Asia and country offices worldwide. KNCV raises funds from private, institutional, corporate, and government donors. KNCV’s main funding source is the USAID funded Challenge TB project, which is also implemented in 22 countries.

Background

Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) is the seedbed for developing TB disease and continued transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in 1999 that one-third of the world’s population is latently infected with TB. WHO policy to give at least six months of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) to people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and child contacts has existed since 1993, yet the uptake of IPT in high burden countries remains poor. A short-course regimen of isoniazid and rifapentine weekly for three months (3HP) is now available. 3HP is associated with less toxicity, better adherence and similar efficacy to IPT and may be logistically easier for programs to scale up. WHO has included scaling up TB preventive therapy, particularly short-course regimens, in its End TB strategy. Implementation of 3HP will meet the same fate as IPT unless existing barriers to its supply, adoption, demand, and delivery are removed.

The IMPAACT4TB consortium is led by the Aurum Institute with core partners Clinton Health Access Initiative, Johns Hopkins University, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation and the Global Drug Facility. Our consortium has exceptional experience in shaping markets, strengthening supply chain management and supporting National TB Programs in high burden countries. Our 14 strategically selected countries are all high burden settings with distinct delivery challenges and are representative of the various phases of the TB epidemic where LTBI plays a unique role in sustaining their epidemics. Based on our market intelligence we estimate that 16.8 million PLWHIV (on antiretroviral therapy) and 1.2 million child contacts in our focus countries will be at risk of developing TB between 2017-2019.

The goal of the IMPAACT4TB project is to reduce TB incidence among PLHIV and child contacts<5 living in low and middle-income countries by contributing to the sustainable scale-up of 3HP preventive therapy. The project will utilize the UNITAID grant to start 400,000 people on 3HP and catalyze an increase in supply, demand for and uptake of 3HP in focus countries with the outcome of starting >1 million child contacts and PLWHIV on 3HP. The strategy (outputs) is to leverage each partners’ complementary skills, networks and in-country presence to address barriers to supply; adoption; demand and delivery of 3HP. KNCV is leading the implementation process in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, and Indonesia.

Purpose of the position

In each KNCV-led country, KNCV is looking for one project manager who will lead and provide oversight for the implementation of the IMPAACT4TB project activities in that setting, in close coordination with the KNCV Country Director and the KNCV central office project coordinator.

Position in the organization

The project manager will report directly to the KNCV Country Director and will maintain close communication and coordination with the central office KNCV project coordinator.

Duties and responsibilities

The IMPAACT4TB project manager will:

In close coordination with the NTP, lead the development of country operational plans to introduce and scale-up delivery of 3HP;
Contribute technical assistance to develop or adapt country-specific implementation procedures (SOPs), job aids, educational materials and monitoring and recording tools for TB preventive therapy to include 3HP;
In close coordination with the NTP and other stakeholders, support update of national guidelines and supporting materials, as needed;
In close coordination with the NTP, provide training on new guideline, recording and reporting forms and educational materials;
Support the introduction of quality improvement programs using designated approaches to continuously improve delivery of 3HP to PLHIV and child contacts;
Lead the collection and compilation of information for a landscape assessment at the national level and subnational/site level—related to LTBI, preventive TB treatment guidelines and practices for PLHIV and child contacts;
Support the collection of data related to the local supply chain for TB drugs;
Based on landscape assessment, provide input in the selection of sentinel project sites;
Support strengthening of routine M&E for contact investigations and TB preventive therapy, including treatment outcomes and pharmacovigilance to better monitor implementation and evaluate the delivery of 3HP;
Coordinate with a country M&E project officer to gather and report information systematically;
Provide supervision and guidance to subnational level project staff and travel to subnational project sites
Produce monthly (and/or quarterly reports) reports for KNCV HQ to determine progress;
Participate in regular Skype call with KNCV HQ staff and other partners to coordinate implementation;
Participate in international meetings to report on the progress and outcomes of the project, and to plan and strategize activities;
Contribute to other project activities as requested by the Country Director and HQ overall project coordinator.

Who are we looking for?

Education

Medical Doctor with a masters’ degree in public health, epidemiology or other relevant additional education.

Knowledge/Experience

In-depth knowledge of TB and LTBI from a clinical and programmatic perspective, and based in local NTP and WHO policies;
Demonstrated experience (at least 5 years) working in TB program/projects and interventions;
Demonstrated experience in TB project management funded by international organizations;
Experience supervising local staff;
Substantial experience in developing implementation/operational plans;
Substantial experience in developing progress reports.

Behavioral competencies and skills

Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels (ministry, donors, the private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations);
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and one other relevant language;
Country national preferable, conversant in the local language;
Ability to work as part of a team and independently;
Ability to cope with a demanding work environment and to organize and prioritize workload;
Ability to work in a national and international team.

What does the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation offer?

A fixed-term contract for a year with a possibility for extension;
An informal work atmosphere in an international environment where a pro-active mentality is appreciated;
A highly-motivated team of experienced, self-driven colleagues;
The salary is dependent upon education and relevant working experience;
KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation has its own Employment Conditions Scheme;
Full-time employment consists of 40 hours per week.

Application and Information

You can apply for this position by submitting your CV, including a motivation letter and 3 professional references, via the form below, before August 17th, 2018. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team in Tanzania +255 22 2664859 or mail to recruittanzania@kncvtbc.org.

Please note that we only consider the applications that are received through the KNCV website. Applicants that are sent to recruit email account are not taken into consideration.