Company Profile
Established in 1957, Amref Health Africa stands as the premier African-rooted international organization dedicated to health development. With its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref orchestrates programs across 35 African nations, positively impacting over 40 million individuals. The organization maintains a robust operational presence throughout Africa, complemented by advocacy and fundraising offices in Europe and North America.
Driven by a vision of enduring health improvements in Africa, Amref's core mission is to foster community-led, people-centered health systems and address the underlying social factors influencing health. Amref firmly believes that sustainable health transformation originates within communities, and it actively works to strengthen health infrastructures while empowering individuals to advocate for and access quality, affordable healthcare.
Role Overview
Primary Role of the Position
The Disease Control Surveillance Assistant will be instrumental in delivering community-based health services. This includes a focus on disease prevention, health promotion, and providing basic medical care, all while contributing to essential data collection and health surveillance efforts to elevate primary healthcare service delivery.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Acting as a vital conduit between established district health services and the community. This involves direct collaboration with village and community leaders, alongside other volunteers, to implement environmental and personal health initiatives. The role requires close coordination with medical assistants, health assistants, and enrolled community health nurses.
- Conducting thorough community assessments, performing village inspections, monitoring child growth, and promptly reporting any disease outbreaks.
- Participating actively in essential health activities such as administering immunizations, maintaining medical equipment, and enhancing water quality through the protection of shallow wells and the chlorination of untreated water sources.
- Providing treatment for minor ailments and facilitating the establishment of Village Health Committees (VHCs) and volunteer networks.
- Overseeing the activities of VHCs and volunteers, and ensuring the timely referral of patients and suspected cases to the nearest health facility.
- Meticulously recording data in the relevant registers and using designated instruments in accordance with HMIS guidelines. This data will be shared with respective Village Health Committees, and reports will be submitted to the designated supervisor.
- Developing comprehensive monthly work plans.
- Providing constructive feedback to the community.
- Undertaking any other reasonable duties assigned to the post.
Qualifications Required
- Possession of a Malawi School Certificate of Education is the minimum requirement.
- A Certificate in Community Health will be considered a significant advantage.
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressive professional experience serving as a Disease Control Surveillance Assistant.
Additional Information
Essential Competencies and Skills:
- Proven ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate seamlessly with healthcare professionals and community leaders.
- Demonstrated adaptability and resilience when working in resource-limited and remote environments.
- A strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality and upholding ethical conduct in all health service delivery activities.
- Solid understanding of fundamental healthcare practices, encompassing disease prevention and basic treatment protocols.
- Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and accurately reporting health data.
- Familiarity with effective health education and promotion strategies.
Amref Health Africa strictly prohibits any form of payment from applicants at any stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not engaged any agents for recruitment purposes. While Amref may utilize various job boards to broaden applicant reach, all current vacancies are officially published on our website's Vacancies page and our official social media channels. Please note that all official communications from Amref Health Africa will originate from an address ending in @amref.org.
Amref Health Africa is deeply committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff members to uphold this commitment. Amref Health Africa champions diversity and operates as an equal-opportunity employer, maintaining a strict non-smoking environment policy.