Overview
The National Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Survey (DRS)
Tuberculosis Drug resistance is a major threat to global tuberculosis (TB) care and control and Nigeria is among WHO’s list of 10 countries globally with a tripartite burden for TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB. In 2012, Nigeria conducted her first TB drug resistance prevalence survey (DRS) to estimate the status of MDR/RR-TB. A total of 3,932 people with MDR/RRTB were detected and notified in 2022, a 32% increase from 2,975, and 3,185 people were enrolled in treatment, up from 2,197 in 2021.
National Tuberculosis Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Program (NTBLCP), Federal Ministry of Health with funding support from United States Agency for International Developments (USAID) through KNCV Nigeria is conducting a second national TB DRS to establish the status of MDR/RR-TB and by extension the prevalence of XDR-TB and other resistance patterns. There is the need to establish the resistance patterns to both the first and second-line anti-TB medicines including the recently introduced new and repurposed drugs especially now that the country has adopted and accelerating the roll out of bedaquilinebased all oral regimen(s) for the treatment of DR-TB.
The overarching objective of the DRS is to determine the prevalence of MDR/RR-TB among new and previously treated bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB cases in Nigeria.
Other specific objectives include:
- To determine the prevalence and resistance patterns to first- and second-line antiTB drugs, (e.g., isoniazid, pyrazinamide, fluoroquinolones, bedaquiline, linezolid, pretomanid, Clofazimine)
- To assess key changes in DR-TB burden since the earlier survey.
- To describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB patients.
- To investigate possible risk factors for rifampicin-resistant pulmonary TB (i.e., factors associated with the development of RR -TB in the country)
- To develop evidence-based recommendations to the NTBLCP for the control of drug-resistant TB in Nigeria.
KNCV Nigeria
KNCV Nigeria is firmly equipped with technical and administrative capacity in strengthening TB, TB/HIV, and COVID-19 Vaccination service delivery platforms, supporting health system strengthening and research in Nigeria. With 150 program staff in 14 state offices and over 2,000 ad hoc health care workers across 248 facilities, KNCN Nigeria has remained a major player in TB Program implementation in Nigeria. We employ a systems approach, using data-driven quality improvement methods to identify and address gaps in TB, TB/HIV diagnostic and management services. Our work focuses on collaborative planning, design, and implementation, engaging the private sector, strengthening service delivery platforms, and community structures, and improving the quality of services available in Nigeria.
Since 2000, KNCV TB Foundation has implemented successive 5-year circles of USAIDfunded flagship TB projects (TBCTA, TB CAP, TB CARE 1, Challenge TB). It is presently implementing the USAID TB LON 1 & 2 projects across 14 states (Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Rivers, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Anambra, Delta, and Imo) in Nigeria. Working with TB Program and Partners, KNCV Nigeria has under the TB LON project piloted and scaled up key innovations in the TB program in Nigeria; the use of portable digital x-ray with AI for active TB case finding, TB LAMP platforms to strengthen TB diagnostic networks, the use stool for TB diagnosis in children and digital health tools such as the EWORS, CommCare App, XMAP, Virtual based CBT, and the USSD SMS technology to optimize active TB case finding in facilities and community settings with outstanding results.
KNCV Nigeria implements other key projects such as The STOP TB Partnership/UNOPS funded DATS project, TB diagnostic Connectivity Project, USAID Cluster 6 “HALG_ACE Consortium”, The USAID funded COVID-19 Vaccination Acceleration Project, The Global PPM project, The USAID funded new tools project and The Jensen paediatrics TB project.
KNCV Nigeria in collaboration with NTBLCP and funding from USAID seek to employ qualified candidate in the implementation of 2024 National DRS for the position listed below:
Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: MBBS, MPH, Social Sciences
Job Field: Public Health
Experience: 7-10 years
Location: Southeast, South-south, Northeast, Northwest and North-central. Reporting Line: DRS National Consultant
Purpose of the job
The DRS zonal Consultant will work with the Drug Resistant Survey (DRS) National Consultant and the State TB programs to coordinate all DRS activities planned activities, financing, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. S/He will ensure implementation of DRS workplan in line with approved budgets and adhere to timelines for scheduled activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Support DRS National Consultant and state TB programs in coordinating implementation of survey activities as well as monitoring and evaluation.
- Work with KNCV Nigeria DRS Coordinator staff to establish management capacity development plan, aid the states, and clusters in planning, review and monitoring progress of DRS.
- Support DRS KNCV Nigeria staff and DRS NTBLP staff to monitor all phases of the survey to ensure that they meet technical, administrative, financial standards.
- Represent the DRS National Consultant in coordination meetings at state and clusters.
- Actively participate in DRS coordination platforms at states to support collaboration between KNCV Nigeria and other stakeholders (NTBLCP, USAID, Global Fund, WHO and other IPs)
- Support adherence to regulations in line with USAID finance policy for in the implementation of DRS.
- Perform other additional duties assigned.
Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum of an MBBS with an MPH degree or Master degree in other relevant Public Health disciplines
- At least 7 years’ experience working with: HIV & TB program at various levels.
- Experience with USAID or UN projects or any development partner is an advantage.
- Strong coordination, planning, and supervisory skills.
- Competent with operational plan development, implementation, and evaluation of results.
- Comfortable planning and delivering multiple activities under pressure to strict deadlines and high levels of precision.
- Self-motivated with a strong ability to identify and develop relevant areas of work.
- Able to communicate complex issues in a concise, accessible, and engaging manner.
What do we offer?
- A full-time (40 hours per week) fixed-term contract for a year, with the intention of extending the contract depending on funding and performance.
- An informal work atmosphere in an international environment where initiative is appreciated.
- A highly motivated team of experienced, self-driven colleagues.
- The salary is dependent upon education and relevant working experience.
- KNCV Nigeria has its own Employment Conditions Scheme.
Method of Application