Background

• Malaria Consortium in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) implemented a campaign to distribute insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in Ondo State in December 2021.
• Malaria Consortium is also implementing a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) research in relation to the campaign. Both the campaign and the M&E research are funded by Open Philanthropy based on GiveWell’s recommendation.
• The Ondo Net Campaign M&E Project is gathering comprehensive data to assess the outcomes of the campaign in terms of ITN coverage, cost, use rates and net durability, as well as to monitor relevant epidemiological and entomological indicators such as impact on malaria incidence rates reported from a sample of health facilities across the state, vector biting habits and insecticide resistance.

Purpose of the Assignment

• The purpose of this terms of reference (TOR) is to engage research personnel that will carry out entomological study in selected sites in Ondo State.

Scope of the Assignment

• The survey will be used to gather data on biting habits of Anopheles vectors in Ondo State. The data will be used for assessing any future changes in the indoor and outdoor biting habits of vectors after an ITN distribution campaign.

Specific Tasks

• Assists the Entomology Team Leader in coordinating and supervising the hourly collection of mosquitoes using CDC light traps as a proxy for human landing collection.
• Identifies collected mosquitoes morphologically to species or species complex level.
• Packs and labels collected mosquitoes and stores them dry in silica gel until the specimens are shipped for further laboratory analysis.
• Ensures that all materials and equipment are in place to conduct the field studies and kept in good working condition afterwards.
• Ensure that all CDC light trap batteries are fully charged after the field study each day.

Personnel Requirements

• A Post-graduate Degree in Medical Entomology.
• At least 3 years’ experience in entomological studies for malaria research and control.
• Demonstrated report writing skills.
• Good knowledge of the Yoruba and/or Ijaw languages.

Timeline for assignment: 

• The timeline for the assignment is May 2024