ThaiNGO

Job Description

UCSF/RAI2E Project Administrator, Thailand

Malaria Elimination Initiative (MEI)

University of California, San Francisco Global Health Group (GHG)

The Malaria Elimination Initiative (MEI)

The Malaria Elimination Initiative (MEI) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Global Health Group believes a malaria-free world is possible within a generation. The MEI brings the vision, strategy, and evidence-based approaches to catalyze action in countries and regions paving the way for global malaria eradication. As a forward-thinking partner on the malaria elimination frontline, the MEI generates evidence through operational research, develops new tools and approaches, documents and disseminates elimination experiences, builds consensus, assesses the costs and benefits of elimination, and strengthens political and financial commitment to shrink the malaria map. With support from the MEI’s highly-skilled team of economists, advocates, project managers, malariologists, and epidemiologists, countries around the world are actively working to eliminate malaria—a goal that nearly 30 countries will achieve by 2020. For more information about our approach and impact, visit www.shrinkingthemalariamap.org.

Project Background – UCSF RAI2E Operational Research Project

In the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), the risk of malaria infection is often due not to village-based transmission but rather to occupational and behavioral risk factors leading to exposure in forest settings. Additionally, a substantial portion of infections are asymptomatic and/or submicroscopic, limiting the scope of current diagnostics and surveillance approaches. Funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the UCSF MEI RAI2E OR project in Lao PDR and Thailand is a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, safety, acceptability, and operational feasibility of community-led active surveillance and response strategies to address these challenges: 1. reactive case detection (RACD) using highly sensitive RDTs (HS-RDTs) with specific targeting of forest working risk groups, and in Thailand only, 2. reactive focal mass drug administration (fMDA). This intervention will be implemented by village malaria workers (VMWs) and/or community volunteers and target both village-based populations and forest workers. Data collection will begin around September 2019 and continue through December 2020. 

Project Administrator Position

The MEI RAI2E Project Administrator for Thailand is responsible for providing administrative and logistics support to the study team: This is a full-time position until December 2020 (with the possibility of extension up to 6 months) based in Nonthaburi, Thailand, with some travel to study districts in the provinces of Kanchanaburi, Mae Hong Son, Sisaket, Tak and Ubon Ratchathani. The Project Administrator will carry out the following activities as outlined below:

Key Responsibilities 

• Oversee management and maintenance of office assets, utilities, office equipment and supplies
• Assist with logistics and travel planning to ensure coordination of field-based research efforts
• Assist in the preparation, submission, and execution of activity approval and permission letters
• Facilitate field visits by UCSF staff and partners
• Develop activity budgets and track disbursement of project funds
• Work closely with UCSF finance staff to monitor and track activity budgets and projections
• Ensure timely payments to partners and vendors
• Identify and solve administrative and/or logistics bottle-necks as they arise to support implementation of project activities
• Prepare briefs, letters, and other materials to support project activities and meetings
• Act as a focal point and respond to Ministry of Public Health and other partner requests on behalf of UCSF GHG-MEI
• Support coordination of internal and external stakeholder meetings

Perform any other duties as assigned by project leads.

Organization Structure: The Project Administrator will report to the local Research Field Manager, based in Nonthaburi.

Required Skills

• A university degree in administration, social sciences, project management or related field
• At least two years of related professional experience
• Significant experience with budgets and financial management
• Excellent organizational networking and partnership building skills
• Fluent spoken and written Thai
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Valid passport and driver’s license

Desired Skills

• Fluent spoken and written English
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience working with Ministries of Health, Malaria Control Programmes, or other government bodies, particularly in Thailand or rural health settings in developing countries
• Open-mindedness and respect for cultural diversity
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills

Period of employment: Starting in August 2019 until December 2020 (with possibility of 6-month extension)

Application instructions: Please send you a cover letter, CV and references to Timothy Finn, Senior Research Manager, at timothy.finn@ucsf.edu. Please include “UCSF/RAI2E Project Administrator” in the subject of your email.

Application deadline: August 16, 2019