Senior Technical Advisor – TB

Senior Technical Advisor – TB – (230002J3)

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Nepal and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and future we share. Save the Children expects that anyone associated with it abides by its Safeguarding and other Zero Tolerance Policies.

Under the direct supervision of Sr. Program Director, Program Operations, the Sr. Technical Advisor-TB will be responsible for providing strategic and technical guidance to strengthen and maximize the impact of Global Fund funded TB programs. The technical Lead-TB will provide TB technical expertise and support to National and provincial TB program of Nepal, support to improve TB diagnosis and treatment in Nepal, strengthen DR-TB program, support in TB-HIV collaboration, support in strengthening M and E system of NTP, and represent Save the Children in any TB related technical discussion/forums. S/he will carry-out periodic field visits to assess the program quality and technical capacity of service providers. S/he will take a technical lead representing Save the Children in analysis, reporting writing and dissemination TB related studies/research.

Approximately 30% of time is likely to be spent in Save the Children Country office, 40% of the time in NTCC, and 30% in engaging with and traveling to province and SDPs.

Key Responsibilities:

Providing TB technical expertise and support to National and provincial TB program of Nepal:

• Assist National TB Programme to the develop strategic and operational plans, manuals and guidelines for TB and DR-TB while ensuring that these are in line with WHO recommendations and NTP/MoHP long term plans.
• Provide technical support to the National TB program related to the implementation of the National Strategic Plan and Global Fund grant activities, with an emphasis on strengthening the quality of diagnosis, notification, treatment, and reporting at the national TB network level.
• Technically support the TB team at NTCC to ensure that the services delivered fully follows the national guidelines and protocols with full understanding.
• Directly supervise and provide technical support to Technical TB team placed at Provincial health directorate for the implementation of the National Strategic Plan and Global Fund grant activities.
• Build the capacity of Provincial TB team to strengthen TB detection and management services at province and below.
• Technically support the Provincial team to ensure that the services delivered fully follows the national guidelines and protocols with full understanding through training, supportive supervision and onsite coaching.

Improve TB diagnosis and treatment in Nepal through the provision of technical assistance:

• Support NTP to develop SR implementation guideline and provide technical support and supportive supervision of province-based SR’s.
• Support further strengthening, expansion of TB diagnostic services, including GeneXpert MTB/RIF, digital chest X-ray, as well the use and sharing of data.
• Analysis and sharing lessons learnt related to newly introduced tools and approaches; provide advice on the scale-up of potential interventions at provincial and national levels.
• Provide technical support to NTC to rollout new changed in treatment and diagnostic algorithm at national, provincial, local and health facility level.
• Support NTCC to develop and conduct technical trainings, orientations, CME at central and provincial level.
• Provide technical assistance to NTC team in the areas of TB epidemiology, regular TB program and new approach in TB program such as Urban TB, Private Public Mix Approaches, Childhood TB, and Community System Strengthening (CSS).
• Take a technical and programmatic lead in implementation of Public Private Mix related activities.
• Technically support NTP in development of technical guidelines, SOPs, training curriculum and other relevant documents like annual report etc.
• Technically support in program management of general TB, childhood TB, TB-comorbidity, DR TB, Quality assurance of laboratory services, National TB prevalence survey and various other core programmatic activities in close coordination with technical and program staff at NTC.

Strengthen DR-TB program in through support to the NTP

• Participate in regular NTP PMDT activities, including meetings, surveys, assessments, and supportive supervision visits.
• Provide TA to scale-up implementation of new and shorter MDR-TB regimens and aDSM.
• In collaboration with NTP staff, update guidance materials, and monitoring and supervision tools, and participate in PMDT monitoring visits to treatment sites.

Support in TB-HIV collaboration

• Provide technical assistance to NTC in management of TB-HIV co-infected cases and develop/update manual for management of TB/HIV cases.
• Strengthen TB-HIV collaboration between NCASC and NTC at all levels and strengthen referral between DOTS and ART/HTC sites.

Support in strengthening M and E

• Coordinate and assess for technical program gap with the program, M&E and PSM team and develop a quality enhancement plan for immediate action.
• Carryout rapid/situation assessment as necessary for program development.
• Conduct periodic technical review of the TB program strategies, program and results to ensure program quality, effective implementation and efficient utilization of resources including Human Resources in TB program.
• Support M&E team in preparation of and orient on the use of monitoring checklists and other R&R tools to other team members and service providers.
• Contribute technically in program designing, planning and review process for national program as well as Global Fund program
• Support in developing a comprehensive surveillance and M & E system for TB control
• Monitoring and tracking TB performance of GF implementing partners.

Represent Save the Children in any TB related technical discussion/forums.

• Take lead from Save the Children to provide technical support for TB related studies/researches.
• Take a technical lead representing Save the Children in analysis, reporting writing and dissemination National Drugs resistant survey and patient cost survey.
• Participate in and provide technical assistance to national and international TB prevention and treatment Technical Working Groups (TWG), task teams, workshops, and conference.
• Build strategic partnership and maintain effective communication with stakeholders at provincial
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with Health Officer/Public Health Officer and the Provincial Health Director in designated areas, as well as with other individuals and organizations related to TB control.

Qualifications and experience:

• MBBS with Master’s in public health. PhD in Public Health will be an advantage
• At least 7 years’ experience in Public Health at national/international level, candidate having prior experience in TB program management preferred.
• Proven experience of working with government in national/international level health program/project and multi-/bi-lateral agencies or international organizations. Experience of working in a team for bigger grants will be an asset
• Understanding of the working procedures of the Government as well as of external development partners (EDPs) will be considered a huge advantage
• Experience in coordination and liaison with different partner agencies
• Ability to work in multi-cultural environment Ability to work under pressure

Required No.(s): 1 (Nepalese Citizen Only)
Contract length: Fixed Term
Location: Kathmandu, Country Office ( Approximately 30% of time is likely to be spent in Save the Children Country office, 40% of the time in NTCC,)

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Location: Kathmandu
Employee Status: Fixed Term
Closing Date: Jun 11, 2023

Tagged as: Kathmandu, NGO INGO, Save the Children, Technical Advisor