Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Technical Officer

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Position Title: Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Technical Officer
Location: Freetown
Country: Sierra Leone
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is focused on addressing the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which poses a significant threat to global public health. It aims to support the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency in Sierra Leone through the implementation of the Fleming Fund Phase Two Project. The organization is dedicated to improving health outcomes by promoting effective antimicrobial stewardship and reducing the burden of AMR. It operates in Sierra Leone and is aligned with global health initiatives to combat AMR, which has been recognized as a pressing public health concern worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Technical Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency in Sierra Leone. The primary purpose of this consultancy is to facilitate the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship initiatives and reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance through the Fleming Fund Phase Two Project. The officer will be responsible for coordinating various activities, including monthly grantee meetings, preparing reports, and providing technical support to the national AMR program. This position requires a deep understanding of AMR and its implications for public health, as well as the ability to implement proven public health interventions effectively. The officer will also be involved in training healthcare professionals, ensuring the functionality of AMS and AMR coordination platforms, and raising awareness about AMR through various campaigns.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the AMS and AMR Technical Officer include: facilitating the implementation of the Fleming Fund AMR project at national, subnational, and health facility levels; coordinating monthly grantee meetings and other ad-hoc meetings; preparing and submitting monthly and quarterly AMR activity reports to Mott Macdonald and other agencies; providing technical and operational support to the national AMR program; facilitating the adoption of global AMS and AMR policies to fit the local context; supporting antimicrobial use surveillance activities; conducting training for healthcare professionals; ensuring the functionality of AMS and AMR coordination platforms; commemorating World AMR Awareness Week and other awareness-raising activities; mentoring healthcare professionals; conducting operational research; and carrying out any other duties assigned by the supervisor. The officer will be expected to deliver effective implementation of the Fleming Fund project, establish antimicrobial stewardship programs, update the national action plan to combat AMR, and prepare high-quality technical reports.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include a first degree in medicine, pharmacy, or public health from a recognized university. An advanced university degree (Masters level) in medicine, pharmacy, public health, microbiology, or AMR is desirable. Additionally, a master's degree in microbiology is also considered desirable. The candidate must possess at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in public health activities implementation, with demonstrated experience in health programming, health services delivery, and monitoring and evaluation in low-resource settings. Expertise in antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control, and quality improvement initiatives is essential. Strong communication and facilitation skills, along with excellent report-writing abilities, are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background needed for this position includes a first degree in medicine, pharmacy, or public health from a recognized university. An advanced degree at the master's level in relevant fields such as medicine, pharmacy, public health, microbiology, or AMR is desirable. Candidates with a master's degree in microbiology will have an added advantage. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of antimicrobial resistance and the necessary interventions to combat it effectively.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position is at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the implementation of public health activities. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in health programming, health services delivery, and monitoring and evaluation, particularly in low-resource settings. A strong background in antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control is essential, as well as experience in conducting operational research and quality improvement initiatives. The ability to work effectively in diverse environments and teams is also crucial.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is mastery of the English language, along with good report writing skills. Proficiency in English is essential for effective communication and documentation of activities related to antimicrobial stewardship and resistance initiatives. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve a contract duration that is not specified in the job description. The role is focused on national implementation within Sierra Leone, and the organization may consider candidates with relevant qualifications and experience from both national and international backgrounds. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description, but candidates can expect a competitive package commensurate with their experience and qualifications.