LEAP Program Description

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) – a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC and Dexis Consulting Group – is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global), a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. As of July 1, 2025, LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries.

The intervention of this project is to hire and embed technical expert advisors and subject matter experts within government entities. By directly embedding the technical expertise within the national programs, LEAP provides long-term, sustainable lifesaving support to empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios and improve coordination between the U.S. Government and the host country.

About the Position

The Senior Malaria Advisor will support the National Malaria Control Program in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. The primary focus of the Advisor will be technical leadership to ensure the successful implementation of cost-effective, lifesaving direct service delivery for malaria prevention and treatment.

The Malaria Technical Advisor will provide technical expertise to the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the design, planning, and management of national programs/projects/activities as well as in the development of policies, integrating best practices in malaria control. The position holder will identify programmatic bottlenecks and facilitate solutions through coordinated technical expertise, in support of The Gambia's development objectives.

The technical advisor provides strategic and operational support to the national malaria control program, contributing to smooth operations by ensuring coordination of activities, capacity building of teams, and integration of innovations. They possess proven expertise in digital transformation preferably, mastery of health information systems, logistics management and health product supply chain, ensuring real-time monitoring and tracking of health products and malaria control inputs. The Senior technical advisor supports the NMCP in establishing a digital platform for managing malaria control commodities to strengthen end-to-end visibility. The Technical Advisor will be based at the NMCP within the MOH.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Provide expert malaria technical guidance to advance planning and implementation of malaria control interventions.
• Support the development of national malaria program strategies and work plans.
• Support the design, planning, and implementation of malaria prevention and control activities in accordance with the NMCP and U.S. government strategy. This includes but is not limited to vector control, case management at facility and community levels, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, support for malaria vaccine implementation, malaria in pregnancy, supply chain management, as well as monitoring and surveillance to ensure accountability and measure progress.
• Support the establishment of an effective and transparent digital platform for managing and monitoring routine LLIN distribution at all levels of the health pyramid.
• Provide, with local partners, technical and managerial expertise to health districts and communities to strengthen institutional capacities.
• Stay informed of current developments and successful interventions through regular engagement with malaria experts (national and international) and NMCP officials, to integrate proven strategies and interventions into national programming.

Management of Program/Activity Implementation

• Ensure that U.S. government resources are optimized to achieve sustainable malaria results, in accordance with U.S. government laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure effectiveness and efficiency and avoid fraud, waste and abuse.
• Provide technical support to Department of State implementing partners and managerial support if necessary, during planning, design, and implementation phases to ensure quality interventions and achievement of programmatic objectives.
• Make recommendations for strategic or operational changes based on program performance analysis.
• Contribute to comprehensive management, from procurement to last-mile distribution of medicines, RDTs, and LLINs.
• Optimize logistics systems to ensure continuous availability of commodities, reduce stockouts and expiration risks, and ensure traceability of all commodities at all levels of the health pyramid.
• Contribute to the development and updating of logistics standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Participate in quantification meetings to inform antimalarial product needs that will guide donor purchases. Resolve bottlenecks in the input ordering and delivery process.
• Provide practical expert advice to help the MSHP, NMCP, and other partners monitor commodities with particular emphasis on LLINs, and outcomes, and report on the overall program impact.
• As needed, work with the NMCP and other partners to develop and maintain a monitoring and evaluation plan to be implemented through existing MSHP systems and U.S. government-supported mechanisms. Conduct monitoring and evaluation visits at service delivery points to ensure that all quantitative and qualitative data are properly collected, and that program quality and added value are maintained.

Coordination of Malaria Control Partners

• Ensure that malaria-related activities are integrated across all health activities supported by the U.S. Department of State and coordinate them with the NMCP and ministry of health to avoid duplication and programmatic gaps.
• Coordinate with other partners and support efforts to fill gaps in malaria control service delivery and strengthen technical and managerial capacities within the NMCP at national, district, and local levels.
• Participate in and contribute to malaria related service delivery meetings hosted by the NMP and others.

Communications:

• Regularly organize conference calls with the NMCP, partners, the U.S. Embassy, and Washington to review progress, discuss activities, and resolve emerging issues.
• The Malaria Technical Advisor must provide information and be available for calls/meetings with the U.S. Embassy, as needed.

REPORTING:

The Senior Advisor will submit a detailed monthly report validated by the NMCP coordinator to the U.S. Department of State, no later than the 5th of the following month. Additionally, he/she will submit a weekly progress report including a short paragraph on the week's main advances. The report format may be adjusted. All reports provided to the U.S. Department of State by the Advisor must be validated by the NMCP Coordinator before submission. Transmission will be by email in electronic version, copying the NMCP Coordinator.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or local equivalent from an accredited program in Public Health, International Development, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology, Biology, Infectious Diseases, Medicine, Pharmacy, or Immunization.
• Experience in digital systems
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in public health, with a strong focus on malaria, preferably in a similar context.
• Prior experience with bilateral or multilateral donors such as the World Bank, Global Fund, U.S. government, or public sector projects at the national level, ensuring compliance with U.S. government rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to review, analyze, and advise on all aspects of malaria control programming at national, regional, and district levels.
• Current knowledge of ongoing and emerging malaria-related issues, such as epidemiology, international policy, evidence development and malaria control strategies, new drugs and diagnostics.
• Experience working with key stakeholders in malaria control programming, preferably national actors and international donors.
• Ability to manage a complex portfolio of laboratory network strengthening.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and report writing.
• Good command of computer tools and Microsoft Office programs.
• Excellent organizational, planning, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with public health programs funded by the U.S. Government.
• Proven expertise in logistics management and supply chain and management of routine LLINs, medicines, and other malaria control products.
• Expertise in health information systems management