The Malaria Associate for Surveillance and Analytics, reporting to the CHAI Malaria Program Manager in Sierra Leone, will play a crucial role in advancing CHAI’s malaria strategy. Responsibilities include contributing to operational plans, identifying opportunities for impact, and supporting programmatic aspects. This role offers a unique chance to contribute to a high-impact CHAI malaria program in a country facing significant public health challenges.

The successful candidate will actively support CHAI Sierra Leone’s malaria initiatives, serving as a collaborative partner to government health officials. They will facilitate engagement with CHAI’s regional technical teams, ensuring the execution of impactful programs aimed at reducing malaria mortality and morbidity, which also means intentionally identifying and addressing specific barriers faced by some individuals or groups of individuals . A strong commitment to delivering results, adeptness in navigating political landscapes, and a resilient, optimistic approach to challenges are essential attributes.

CHAI places considerable emphasis on personal qualities such as resourcefulness, tenacity, independence, patience, humility, and a strong work ethic. The Malaria Associate will be embedded within the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) at the Ministry of Health in Freetown, fostering relationships with key stakeholders from the government, donors, and the international community in Sierra Leone.

Fluency in English is a requirement, with excellent communication and relationship-building skills which are paramount for effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders. This role presents an exciting opportunity for a dedicated individual to make a meaningful impact in the realm of public health in Sierra Leone .

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted adviser and collaborative partner to the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and other MOH units, offering insights on malaria program analytics.
• Assist the NMCP and other MOH units on  malaria surveillance. This includes implementing new surveillance platforms to enhance data collection, management, analysis, and visualization that help evidence based decision about addressing health inequities.
• Assist the NMCP in collecting or generating disaggregated data, analysing them and addressing equity gaps
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of existing malaria surveillance system and new platforms, such as the SNIGS and geospatial registries (e.g., community health worker registry, master health facility registry). From the surveillance system evaluations, prioritizing recommendations, designing surveillance improvement action plans and supporting the NMCP to improve surveillance processes and the surveillance system.
• Contribute to writing SOPs, guidance and trainings on malaria surveillance, data analysis, data use.
• Support the NMCP in organizing regular data review meetings at all levels, extracting and analyzing malaria epidemiological data, malaria vector surveillance data, and malaria prevention and intervention data. Translate findings into actionable recommendations through impactful presentations and reports.
• Develop Excel-based budget and cost models for malaria interventions and conduct analyses to map available funding to needs and identify resource gaps;
• Work with stakeholders to prioritize and optimize activities within funding envelope, and develop funding proposals to mobilize resources (e.g., from Global Fund) for countries;
• Facilitate evidence-based program reviews and strategic and operational planning and assist malaria programs in identifying and addressing impediments to funding absorption, activity implementation, and programmatic goals;
• Strengthen financial and programmatic data use to inform program management and strategic decision-making;
• Synthesize and communicate results internally and externally as required.
• Identify obstacles hindering the execution of malaria program plans, intervention campaigns and collaborate with stakeholders to develop rapid solutions for addressing bottlenecks.
• Proactively build and sustain strong working relationships with key stakeholders in government and non-governmental organizations.
• Document and compile resources and best practices, facilitating knowledge-sharing across teams. Synthesize and disseminate findings through high-quality presentations, reports, and publications.
• Undertake any other tasks as identified, contributing to the overall success of the malaria program in Sierra Leone. This multifaceted role requires a dynamic individual dedicated to enhancing public health outcomes through data-driven strategies and collaborative problem-solving.

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Statistics, Data Science, Business, or International Development
• Minimum of 3 years of pertinent work experience.Established experience in cultivating and sustaining partnerships with governmental entities and/or other intricate organizations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at advanced levels.
• Genuine enthusiasm for employing analytical methods to address global health challenges.
• Experience in carrying out statistical analyses using relevant software (e.g., R, STATA).
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, ensuring effective conveyance of complex ideas.
• Capacity to manage multiple tasks concurrently, prioritize effectively, and work autonomously, particularly in remote settings.
• Demonstrated ability to remain effective, patient, and thoughtful in high-pressure situations.
• Adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced and multicultural environment.
• At least basic knowledge in gender, equity and diversity at the intersection of health interventions
• Fluency in English (written and oral) is mandatory, with French language proficiency considered advantageous but not obligatory.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Sierra Leone at up to 40% of the time, based on program requirements.
• This role demands a versatile individual committed to utilizing advanced analytical skills and fostering collaborations to address health challenges effectively.

Advantages

• Knowledge of major global infectious disease problems, preferably malaria and NTDs

• Demonstrated expertise in epidemiological and spatial analysis of disease data is essential.
• Proven track record in disease surveillance and enhancing information systems to strengthen public health initiatives

• Experience or knowledge of health finance, public finance, or finance for development.Experience working with surveillance platforms (e.g., DHIS2), data collection tools (e.g., ODK) and/or data visualization applications (e.g., Tableau).
• Experience in gender analysis