Clinical Officer

Established in 2003, Malaria Consortium is one of the world’s leading non-profit organisations specialising in the comprehensive prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable and under privileged populations. We increasingly find our work on malaria can be effectively integrated with other similar public health interventions for greater impact and therefore expanded our remit to include child health and neglected tropical disease interventions.

We work in Africa and Asia with communities, governments, academic institutions, and local and international organisations, to ensure effective delivery of services, which are supported by strong evidence.

Our areas of expertise include:

• disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment
• disease control and elimination
• systems strengthening
• research, monitoring and evaluation leading to best practice
• behaviour change communication
• national and international advocacy and policy development

Country and project background

Malaria Consortium Chad is one of the country offices within the West and Central Africa region, whose regional hub is based in Abuja, Nigeria.

In Chad, Malaria Consortium currently supports the implementation of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) in 48 health districts across the provinces of Barh El Gazal, Tandjilé, Logone Occidental, Mayo Kebbi West, and Mayo Kebbi East. The organization also supports the delivery of Oral Rehydration Salts and Zinc (ORSZ) in 26 health districts located in Mayo Kebbi West and Mayo Kebbi East provinces. SMC and ORSZ interventions are implemented through mass campaigns conducted in three to five monthly cycles during the rainy season. In addition, Malaria Consortium implements a severe malaria case management project in Beinamar Health District, located in Logone Occidental province.

Looking ahead, Malaria Consortium’s portfolio in Chad is expected to expand, with interventions ranging from national-level policy support to the direct implementation of programs in malaria control, nutrition, and selected neglected tropical diseases.

The N’Djamena office serves as the central coordination hub for all Malaria Consortium programs in Chad.

Job Purpose

The Clinical Officer is responsible for ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of clinical care for severe malaria among children under five across supported health facilities and the district hospital in Beinamar District.

Under the supervision of the Project Lead, and in alignment with national clinical guidelines, WHO standards and Malaria Consortium protocols, the Clinical Officer will provide hands‑on clinical mentoring, supportive supervision, capacity building and quality improvement support to clinicians, nurses, laboratory staff and community health workers. The role focuses on strengthening early detection, referral, emergency management, diagnosis and treatment of severe malaria, contributing to reduced morbidity and mortality.

Scope of Work

The Clinical Officer will lead the clinical and technical components of the project related to severe malaria case management across the continuum of care, from community‑level pre‑referral care to inpatient management at the district hospital.

The postholder will:

• Support standardisation and implementation of clinical protocols, SOPs and algorithms;
• Provide on‑site mentoring and supervision to health workers;
• Strengthen triage, emergency paediatric care and referral systems;
• Support quality assurance of laboratory and pharmaceutical practices ;
• Contribute to monitoring, reporting and operational learning.

Key Relationships

Internal

• Project Lead
• Country Technical Coordinator / Senior Country Technical Specialist
• MEAL team
• Logistics and Supply Chain teams

External

• District Health Management Team (DHMT)
• Health facility managers and clinicians
• Community Health Workers (CHWs)
• Ministry of Health / National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) representatives

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care Quality and Standardisation : (80%)

• Provide counselling to clients in various medical issues
• Diagnose and manage all stages of illness
• Take accurate case history of patients, examine their illnesses
• Provide appropriate care, medical attention, standard procedure and laid down policy
• Ensure implementation and adherence to national and project clinical guidelines on severe malaria management.
• Support standardisation of triage, diagnosis, treatment, referral and inpatient care across supported health facilities.
• Conduct clinical mentoring and bedside coaching for clinicians and nurses.
• Promote and maintain patient confidentiality and ethical standards of care.
• Provide emergency clinical support during severe malaria cases when required, in line with scope of practice.
• Ensure treatments or care patients receive are in line with relevant national guidelines, protocols and Standard Operating Procedures or with internationally agreed guidance
• Ensures data trends and analyses are reported and channeled in an agreed manner
• Completely records and authenticates all patient encounters and interventions
• Compliant to national standards, protocols and guidelines in carrying out assigned duties.
• Providing weekly update
• Monthly reports on case management.

Capacity Building and Supportive Supervision : (10%)

• Train and mentor clinicians, nurses, laboratory staff and CHWs on :
• Identification of danger signs
• Use of rectal artesunate for pre referral treatment
• Injectable artesunate and supportive emergency care
• Support establishment and strengthening of triage and pediatric emergency care stations.
• Participate in supportive supervision visits and clinical audits.
• Ensure health workers using medical devices are properly trained and comply with cleaning and maintenance protocols.

Referral Systems and Continuum of Care (10%)

• Support functional referral pathways from community to health facility and district hospital levels.
• Monitor pre‑referral treatment practices and referral completion.
• Contribute to testing and learning around referral transport support mechanisms.
• Work closely with CHWs to strengthen early case identification and timely referral.

Profil specification

Qualifications and experience:

Essential :

• Medical Degree
• Has the required national registration to practice as a clinical officer
• At least three (3) years relevant work experience in patient care covering medical
• Experience working in community based activities
• Line management experience

Desirable:

• Previous NGO experience
• Flexible and adaptable to various working conditions

Work-based skills and competencies:     

Essential :       

• Strong clinical judgement and decision making skills.
• Excellent knowledge of severe malaria management and paediatric emergency care.
• Being physically fit and able to travel for long distances in difficult road conditions
• Proficiency in French, verbal and written
• Capable of working under pressure
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must be computer literate, in particular use of Microsoft office packages, and emailing.
• Flexible and adaptable to various working conditions
• Willing to stay overnight in remote villages and forested areas
• Attention to detail
• Advanced knowledge of English

Desirable: 

• Ability to effectively manage time and resolve crises.
• Proven leadership skills
• Patient and compassionate.