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Technical Advisor – Onchocerciasis

Employer
Sightsavers
Location
Haywards Heath, West Sussex, UK or Nigeria
Salary
Dependent on experience
Closing date
11 Aug 2019

Job Details

Title: Technical Advisor – Onchocerciasis

Location: UK, Haywards Heath (flexible) or Nigeria

Salary: Dependent of experience

Accelerating the Sustainable Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ASCEND) is a high profile, high value, multi-partner programme, which will make a significant contribution to the control and elimination of the 5 PC NTDs across 13 countries. Sightsavers is the lead supplier, directly working with LSTM, Mott MacDonald, SCI and other partners including WaterAid, M&C Saatchi and Accenture.

Sightsavers is responsible for overall delivery in line with contractual agreements within the consortium structure. Of the four units across this structure, the Programme Optimisation Unit is the largest being responsible for ensuring that ASCEND delivers effective results across the diseases and key thematic areas.

As Technical Advisor for Onchocerciasis you will be actively supporting essential work to irradiate Onchocerciasis though advising, guiding and supporting the implementation of the onchocerciasis component of ASCEND, adhering consistently to global, national and consortium policy, strategy, technical norms, contract terms and conditions ensuring that elimination/break in transmission timelines are not only met but exceeded where feasible.

You will ensure WHO guidelines on Onchocerciasis elimination are adhered to, propose strategies for accelerating the program aims, provide technical support, oversee the implementation of onchocerciasis mapping and surveillance, provide technical support for associated onchocerciasis programmes, ensure consistency of activities and planning within all related programmes, prepare and present progress reports, ensure Onchocerciasis activities are aligned with consortium technical standards, nationally/internationally recognised standards and respective National Health Systems.

Knowledge and Experience

Extensive demonstrable experience, supported by education to degree level or equivalent within Onchocerciasis or a relevant discipline is essential for the position of Technical Advisor for Onchocerciasis. You will be confident working within a complex matrix and structure and possess the ability to think strategically and translate concepts into action plans. Highly skilled in both written and verbal communication in English and French, with excellent analytical and IT skills, you will have a strong understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity for disabled people.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties or essential professional skills, please read the complete Job Description for further details.

Closing date: 11th August 2019

Interviews: Week commencing 11th August 2019

Company

Sightsavers Head Office

35 Perrymount Road,
Haywards Heath,
West Sussex RH16 3BW

Postal Address

Bumpers Way,
Bumpers Farm,
Chippenham SN14 6NG

Sightsavers is an international charity that works in more than 30 countries around the world to eliminate avoidable blindness and support people with visual impairments to live independently. Sightsavers is headquartered in the UK and has over 400 employees. It also has branches in Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, India, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

Sightsavers works with partners in order to provide a comprehensive range of eye care services. In 2013, Sightsavers' projects provided eye health examinations for nearly 14 million people, performed 300,000 eye operations, and treated over 100 million people for neglected tropical diseases.

People are also referred for treatment to prevent blindness or restore sight. Through community volunteers in developing countries, Sightsavers distributes medication to prevent blinding diseases. The charity also trains eye care workers and surgeons and funds operations.

Of the 30 countries Sightsavers works in, 23 are in Africa. These include Mozambique, Mali, Liberia and Kenya. Sightsavers is also present in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean.

In addition to its medical work, Sightsavers works with partners in order to train specialist teaching staff and supply glasses, Braille kits and other learning tools. The charity aims to educate communities and reduce stigma around visual impairment and blindness. Through its work, people with visual impairments and other disabilities are supported to live independently, get an education and earn an income.

Sightsavers is also a campaigning organisation, working with national governments to tackle the root causes of avoidable blindness, such as lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities. The charity’s ‘Put us in the Picture campaign calls on the international community to make global development inclusive of the world’s 800m people with disabilities. The campaign’s vision is for all people to have equal access to employment, education, healthcare and participation in society.

Backing up Sightsavers’ work around the world is a strong research capability. Research and policy work revolves around three priorities – health, education and social inclusion. Gathering and disseminating sound research evidence helps to ensure the charity’s programmes meet the needs of the people they are designed to serve. Research evidence is also a strong tool when advocating for policy changes with governments.

Sightsavers has many partners that assist with its aim of eliminating avoidable blindness and may also provide funding. Partners include the UK government’s Department for International Development, the European Union and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Read our latest article on Third Sector: Sightsavers: Work for an award-winning charity tackling blindness worldwide

Company info
Website
Telephone
01444 446600
Location
35 Perrymount Road,
Haywards Heath,
West Sussex
RH16 3BW
GB

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