ALIMA IN NIGERIA
ALIMA has been present in Nigeria since 2016. Its actions are part of a regional response strategy to health and nutrition emergencies, with a focus on paediatric, maternal-infant and epidemic interventions. ALIMA is present in North-East Nigeria in Borno State (MMC and Jere LGAs) and in Yobe State (Bade and Karasuwa LGAs) where it provides outpatient and inpatient healthcare and nutrition services for IDPs and host communities. In North-West Nigeria, ALIMA is in Katsina State (Kaita LGA) to respond to increased nutritional needs. ALIMA is present in the South-West, in Ondo State (Owo LGA) where teams are treating patients for Lassa fever and conducting research into improved treatment.
Since the rapid increase in Lassa Fever cases in 2018, ALIMA has been supporting the NCDC and the State Ministry of Health in Owo (Ondo State) with case management, active case detection, patient triage, public awareness campaigns, and reinforcement of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures among health workers in the different hospital structures of Ondo State. As of today, ALIMA is intervening in Owo Federal Medical Centre (Owo FMC) to support the response to the outbreak by providing free laboratory and clinical care for suspected and confirmed cases of Lassa fever and also conducting clinical research. In 2019-2020, ALIMA set up a Viral Haemorrhagic Fever laboratory in Owo to improve patients’ care by providing fast and high-quality diagnoses. ALIMA also takes on community outreach activities and has sensitised more than 6 500 people to Lassa fever.
In addition to prevention and case management, ALIMA is currently coordinating several studies to better understand the disease in order to improve case management, including an observational cohort study (LASCOPE) to describe the clinical, biological course, management and outcomes of hospitalised patients with a diagnosis of confirmed Lassa fever. By taking an approach that integrates research, patient care and infection prevention and control, the LASCOPE project provides valuable information for the design of future diagnostic tools, vaccines and therapeutic trials aimed at finding a more specific treatment against the disease.
Based on Long term partnership between African institutions in Lassa fever endemic area and European centres with experience on clinical research in Africa, ALIMA is leading the INTEGRATE consortium implementing a phase III clinical trial at the Owo FMC to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new treatments against Lassa Fever. All these ongoing and future research activities are in line with ALIMA’s strategic priorities to promote research against viral hemorrhagic fevers in Africa.
Mission Location: Owo, ONDO State, Nigeria
MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES
The Medical Referent of the ALIMA Owo Project is the ALIMA representative and responsible for the implementation of program/medical activities in Ondo and other LGAs if needed. He/She is the linkage between field team, researchers, coordination and community.
In close collaboration with the Project Coordinator, Medical Coordinator, and Mission Coordination team, define and plan the project objectives and priorities, the risks and constraints, and calculate human and financial needs. Cultivate the relationship with the FMCO/MOH stakeholders in order to implement efficiently and ensure the goals as well as to improve targeted population’s health conditions and humanitarian situation.
1.Definition of the project’s medical objectives and intervention strategies
2.Organising, analysing and effectively managing the project’s medical activities
- Compile and analyse medical/program data for reports (medical sitrep…) to the medical coordination and project coordinator on project’s evolution and propose corrections if needed.
- Compile and share details regarding research data with the research team as per the protocols while adhering to information protection mechanisms.
- Ensure a quality of data collection and epidemiological surveillance system, in agreement with the medical coordination,
- Supervise full implementation of safety and health protocols, reporting to the Medical Coordination and Project Coordinator on risky behaviours,
- Contribute to the operation and running of INTEGRATE, SPP research projects where appropriate by providing clinical advice on the relevance of research projects and attending research team meetings
3.Supervision and training of the project’s healthcare human resources
4.Implementing the project’s staff health policies
5.Participation in the prevention of abuse of power and sexual and gender-based violence (PSEA)
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- You have a medical diploma (a paramedical diploma would be essential), Master’s degree in clinical research, Epidemiology, public health
- You have at least 4 year’s experience in medical Practice, previous experience in humanitarian context and experience of team management and supervision.
- You have experience in management of viral Hemorrhagic fevers is an asset
- You have analytical and organisational skills, a critical mind and the ability to put forward proposals, as well as the ability to work as part of a team in a multicultural context.
LANGUAGE:
A strong command of both spoken and written English is essential for this position; proficiency in French would be considered an asset.
CONDITIONS
- Contract term: Contract under French law; contract length: 6 months, renewable.
- Position to be filled: ASAP
- Salary: depending on experience + per diem
ALIMA pays for:
- Travel costs between the expatriate’s country of origin and the mission location
- Accommodation costs
- Medical cover from the first day of the contract to a month after the date of departure from the mission country for the employee and his/her family
- Evacuation of the employee
How to apply
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
To apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter online. Applications are processed in the order of arrival.
ALIMA reserves the right to close the offer before the term initially indicated if an application is accepted. Only complete applications (CV + Letter of Motivation in PDF format) will be considered.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged.
