Accelerating the Sustainable Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases

ASCEND Nepal

LF Project Coordinator

Accelerating the Sustainable Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ASCEND), is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The objective of ASCEND is to achieve progress towards the 2020 NTD roadmap targets for the targeted NTDs across priority countries and to strengthen elements of the national health systems which are required for sustainable NTD control and elimination. The Programme will focus on five NTDs: lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis, and trachoma.

ASCEND LF project coordinator is a position based in the vector born diseases research and training center (VBDRTC), Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), Hetuda, Nepal. The coordinator reports to program manager based in the MOHP/ EDCD and VBDRTC director for day to day operation.  The coordinator under the overall guidance of Programme Manager and Data Manager will support VBDRTC to undertake LF activities across endemic provinces, districts and local levels.

Position: ASCEND LF Project Coordinator

This is a fixed term contract position [ Up to December 2021 ]

Duty Station: Vector Born Diseases Research and Training Center (VBDTRTC), Hetauda

Reports to: NTD Programme Manager at MOHP/EDCD and Director VBDRTC.

Key responsibilities: 

Programmatic/Technical:

• Provide close and continuous support to implement "ASCEND workplan" including Lymphatic Filariasis Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention, and LF mapping activities, health system strengthening in the province and local levels, supply chain management related to above activities.
• Support NTD programme and data manager to coordinate LF activities in the provincial and local levels.
• Technical support to district health office and health coordinator at local levels where ASCEND LF activities will be implemented with special focus on capacity strengthening on data management, data analysis, results oriented programming, monitoring, and evaluation methods and principles, and requirements of ASCEND to ensure compliance. 
• Track project progress against the indicators and ensure early identification of any areas requiring remedial actions especially during field activities.
• Update, review, and develop technical field visit tools, project monitoring tools as necessary to cope with the operating environment and establishment of effective communication systems. 
• Provide oversight and support to M&E coordinator and admin and finance coordinator at VBDRTC in day to day operations for the implementation of LF activities.

Coordination/Liaison/Logistics:

• Build sound relationships with VBDRTC, Provincial Health Authorities, Hospitals, District Health Office, and Local Health Coordinator including other stakeholders in order to maintain project schedule and achieve deliverables at the district level in close partnership of endemic local levels. 
• Participate, represent and co-ordinate LF activities at the province, facility and community levels 
• List out the project logistics to undertake activities at IU levels to ensure the timely delivery at the designated IUs and communities. 
• Support to VBDRTC director, NTD Program Manager and Data Manager for their regular assignments and reports. 
• Coordinate the implementation of ASCEND LF activities on monthly basis for the quarterly and the annual reports; follow on monitoring and evaluation exercises for various NTDs at IU level. 
• Coordinate with provincial NTD coordinators to ensure that required commodities and supplies for LF are delivered to end users.

Project Supervision/Reporting:

• Support to develop implementation plan along with the budget for field activities as outlined in the project contract.
• Undertake frequent field visits to facilitate the implementation process, data collection, and follow up
• Promote use of data to inform evidence-based decision making and link evidence-based approaches to achievement of project input, process and outputs.
• Support operational research related to LF and specialized studies at Implementation Unit level. 
• Solicit and manage local data collection and research teams, as needed.
• Contribute to prepare regular progress reports, technical deliverables, and presentations.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual progress report.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Any other job assigned by the Supervisors and Country Lead.

• Ability to function as a self-starter with limited supervision especially in the three-tier government system.
• Excellent knowledge and experience using MS-Office packages including graphics, statistical packages, email and internet.
• Excellent verbal and written communication including excellent written and spoken Nepali and English
• Ability to manage people, good inter-personal skills, and experience of working in a team especially in the federal, provincial and local Systems 
• Good analytical skills, and experience in programme oversight 
• Knowledge and experience in NTDs/ diseases control and elimination programme especially in diseases specific assessment and management. 
• Practical experience in facilitation and interaction with government counterpart/stakeholders at different levels, and ability to deal with various stakeholders 

• Master’s Degree in health science or health management from a recognized University with minimum 6 years of work experience in the related field. Higher qualifications and experiences are preferred.