Malaria is endemic throughout Senegal and 100% of the population is at risk of the disease. Malaria is still a high priority for the government, even though the number of reported cases of malaria has dropped significantly since 2007-2008.  With a parasite prevalence of 0.4% in 2017, malaria transmission remains heterogeneous across the country, and there are now several northern districts where elimination appears to be an achievable short-term goal. Senegal has now set a goal of nationwide elimination by 2030.

Senegal was selected as a President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) country in 2006.  Large-scale implementation of malaria control activities began in FY 2007 and progressed rapidly with significant progress demonstrated to date. The PMI program in Senegal is currently funded at approximately $24 million annually.

The Annual Malaria Operational Plan (MOP) for Senegal is developed in close consultation with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and with the participation of nearly all national and international partners involved with malaria prevention and control in the country.  PMI activities fit in well with the Ministry of Health Strategic Plan for Malaria Control. Candidates may access the Senegal MOP at http://www.pmi.gov/resource-library/mops

The USAID PMI Resident Advisor in tandem with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PMI Advisor shall provide specialized, senior level technical expertise in malaria, as well as leadership, management, guidance and overall direction on the development and execution of PMI activities. The Malaria Advisor is responsible to USAID for the planning, implementation and monitoring of all PMI activities and reports directly to the USAID Health Office Director.  The Malaria Advisor shall liaise with backstops for PMI in USAID Washington, CDC counterparts in country and Atlanta, and USAID personnel working within and overseeing the Mission’s activities related to malaria control. These responsibilities include providing expert malaria technical guidance and advice to the NMCP and district-level counterparts, and other malaria control partners, including other United States Government (USG) entities working in malaria prevention and control.  The Malaria Advisor shall exercise extensive independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, in representing the USG in critical technical and policy forums, in resolving problems and conflicts, and in taking steps necessary to meet deadlines.  The Malaria Advisor will also represent USAID at functions; approve policy documents; provide technical guidance and/or directly manage contracts and agreements, including Government-to-Government agreements; develop and oversee budgets; and develop planning documents and work plans. 

USAID/Senegal’s health development objective (DO) includes malaria activities as an important component of its portfolio.  PMI supported malaria activities shall be fully integrated into USAID’s health DO. Malaria activities that are implemented within ongoing bi-lateral Cooperative Agreements will remain under the authority of the respective Agreement Officer Representative responsible for those Agreements.

As the incumbent will be called upon to assist with all aspects of the Health portfolio, s/he must possess specific technical expertise in the area of health and malaria treatment, prevention and control in particular, and possess an understanding of the social, economic and cultural determinants and implications of the epidemic in Senegal and neighboring countries, as well as have the experience and skills required to help formulate the USG position on malaria and make important policy decisions as a key representative of the USAID/Senegal Mission.