Project Technical Officer

The role

We are currently looking for Project Technical Officer based in Vientiane Capital

Role Purpose

Save the Children International (SCI) together with WMP and the Ministry of Health implemented Phase 1 in Laos PDR in 2022-2023 across 32 villages in Chanthabouly and Xaysettha districts, Vientiane. The new scale-up Phase II, SCI will continue collaboration with the Department of Communicable Disease Control of the Ministry of Health (DCDC, MOH) and WMP with an overall goal of contributing to the reduction of dengue transmission in Laos. SCI will work with the Ministry of Health and the provincial health offices in the selected locations in Vientiane Capital to support releases of Wolbachia-carrying Ae. aegypti.

The purpose of this position is to perform duties in mosquito rearing space and in the community including mosquito rearing, release, field collection and identification, engaging the community, data collection, quality assurance and reporting and additional duties as required. The project technical officer reports to the Project Technical Senior Coordinator and is responsible for reporting on a weekly basis the status of field and lab activities including mosquito rearing, mosquito release, monitoring activities, etc.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

KEY AREA OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Ensure they and their team fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and Local/Country Procedures.

Conduct themselves and ensure their team conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse.

That child safeguarding is integrated and given a “voice” in all management processes including recruitment, induction, performance management, team meetings, annual planning processes, field level monitoring, etc.

Key responsibilities:

• Assist mosquito rearing process.

• Maintain appropriate storage of mosquito eggs for release.
• Prepare Mosquito Release Containers (MRC) into the crates for distribution to village volunteers.
• Maintain batch control and perform quality assurance (QA) on MRC distributed for release.

• Undertake field collection of mosquitoes using the sweepnet method or other methods as required.
• Process live or field-collected mosquitoes to identify Ae. aegypti using morphological keys and other mosquito identification tools under stereo microscopes.
• Count and record the field-collected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in the Core Data System.
• Store mosquitoes in vials following the storage and packing method.
• Collect, record, and collate data from field trials and perform basic analyses.
• Collaborate with the MEAL/Data and GIS teams to ensure high-quality data capture of field activities.

• Communicate and collaborate with village leaders, village volunteers, district health officers, and other stakeholders.
• Promote positive interactions by responding to inquiries from the community and external organizations where required, and represent and advocate for Save the Children International in Laos and the project.

• Assist with routine maintenance of equipment.
• Assist project technical coordinator with logistics management.
• Prepare advance requests/returns according to activities.

• Follow standard operating procedures, quality assurance, and reporting systems for field and laboratory processes.
• Maintain batch control and perform quality assurance (QA) on MRC distributed for release.

• Regular travel to project sites.
• Out of hours work (including evenings, weekends, and public holidays) may be required.
• There may be peak periods of work during which the taking of leave may be restricted.

• Other duties as directed by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent professional qualifications in relevant fields (Science, Biology, Environment, etc.). Or high school qualification or diploma qualification with relevant experience.

Experience and Skills

• Ability to work as an effective member of a team as well as independently under routine supervision.
• Ability to work effectively within a large team.
• Demonstrated experience in laboratory and/or field entomology work (e.g., mosquito rearing, mosquito collection, identification, etc.).
• Proficiency in using smartphones and stereo microscopes.
• Good organizational and time management skills, with the ability to perform high-volume tasks to meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
• Strong ability to manage and prioritize tasks in high-pressure environments.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent computer literacy (including Google Drive suite).
• Ability to quickly adapt to and learn new software platforms.

Contract length: Fixed term

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later.

Apply via: https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/job/11759

Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.