Dominic Bon-Ereme Dery

Program Management and oversight (40%)

• Activity Manager for Ghana for the PMI Vector Control Project which implements Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). Liaises with the Vector Control COR (based in Washington DC) to develop and approve work plans and budgets; manage and monitor performance of the IRS program; review and approve survey methodologies and instruments.
• Serves as Activity Manager for one contract and as alternate AOR on one cooperative agreement to represent the interests of the northern regions of Ghana in guiding project design, implementation, and monitoring.
• Keeps abreast of problems, which affect activity progress, and assists partners in revising activities and plans, as necessary, considering changing circumstances. Is responsible for all trouble shooting with assigned grantees and implementing partners; answers a broad range of implementation questions. Is responsible for official communications to and from assigned partners.
• Oversees implementation of assigned activities through periodic field visits and reports to team on progress, implementation problems, and community service delivery technical assistance requirements of the Health SO.
• Prepares SO reports, analyses, trip reports, partner status reports, review-meeting summaries, prepares and amends Action Memoranda, MAARDs, grant program descriptions and scopes of work and accompanying budgets for assigned activities. Contributes to preparation of semi-annual activity implementation reports.

Program Monitoring and Performance Management (30%)

• Develops and maintains the database for relevant aspects of the Health Program’s Performance Management Plan (PMP) and its management and reporting systems; and documents programmatic achievements for inclusion in annual reports and semi-annual portfolio reviews, including the analysis of progress toward achievement of health program indicators and targets.
• Provides technical guidance to Mission, host-country and U.S.-based counterparts on program monitoring and performance management requirements; provides guidance to activity managers on activity impact assessment.
• Ensures quality of performance indicator data; arranges for and oversees the conduct of validity checks or verification reviews of data collection systems and information provided by partners, in accordance with USAID policy guidance.

Program Coordination and Oversight (30%)

• Coordinates with other partners and support efforts to address malaria control delivery gaps and help build technical and managerial capacity within the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Family Health Division, and Ghana Health Service (GHS) at the regional, district and lower levels in the Northern Region.
• Works across the five major PMI intervention areas that are active in the northern regions of Ghana and ensures close coordination with maternal and child health interventions that serve as a necessary platform for their implementation.
• Leads collaboration across numerous technical teams to identify, analyze, formulate, and implement activities related to key results packages. Integrates relevant aspects of such needs into support for expanded and strengthened community-development approaches.
• Identifies implementation options, makes recommendations to his/her supervisor and participates in the review of technical proposals for new activities under the integrated health program.
• Provides technical guidance to Communities and District Assemblies to identify evidence-based approaches that are contextually appropriate for integration of malaria into
  maternal health and nutrition primarily, but also in relationship to household resilience, water, sanitation and hygiene.
• Provides technical and supervisory oversight to the Peace Corps Volunteers and Peace Corps Response professionals who have malaria among their health portfolio in the northern regions.
• Works with Ghana Health Service Regional and District Health Management teams in the northern regions of Ghana to coordinate their active participation in the identification of malaria control needs for PMI support through the Malaria Operational Plan, and to ensure they
  effectively assume their leadership role throughout implementation and monitoring of malaria, nutrition, maternal and child health activities.

Strategic Planning and Technical Mentorship

• Provide Technical guidance for USAID malaria portfolio in The Gambia, civil society and private organizations, implementing partners and other development partners on malaria prevention and control
• Engaged in advocacy and technical dialogue with host government ministries (including the National Malaria Control Program, the Ministry of Health) and the Global Fund to promote a coordinated strategy to fight malaria and strengthen health systems.
• Provided technical assistance on strategies, activities, and approaches to help households, communities, systems and institutions address the root causes of malaria mortality and morbidity, and guide strategic and technical decision making on best use of malaria resources, with a focus on elimination.
• Conducted comprehensive market research, resulting in informed strategic planning.
• Maintained up-to-date industry knowledge through continuous professional development.
• Resolved technical issues promptly, enhancing overall system performance.

Program Design, Start Up, Implementation, Monitoring, and Reporting:

• Provided technical support on designing two new PMI bilateral awards in the Gambia. This included full participation on the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) and preparation of related documents as directed by the TEC Chair. Assisted with all award start up activities, including the preparation of communications to announce award selections, kick off meetings with stakeholders and selected awardee, review implementing partner annual work plans that ensured activities are in compliance with their contract/agreement with USAID, and conformed to the PMI Malaria Operational Plan.
• Reviewed implementing partner performance reports and ensured that activities are in compliance with the performance expectations outlined in their work plans and in their contract/agreement with USAID, and review deliverables provided by contractors/grantees in accordance with USAID program management regulations, procedures and practices.
• Worked closely with the budget and financial management specialists to review and analyze the financial status of all malaria activities, prepared obligation related paperwork as needed, and prepared malaria information for regular Mission pipeline reviews, and ensured that obligations, expenditures, and budget pipelines align with approved work plans for malaria specific activities.
• Established structures and schedules for project management of partners; collaborated with the Gambia PMI team to provide day-to-day programmatic and technical guidance to partners.
• Ensured that PMI implementing partners develop project monitoring plans and report in a timely manner on their activities.
• Carried out monitoring and evaluation visits in collaboration with PMI Implementing Partners and NMCP to implementation sites to understand and documented context and establish relationships between PMI and local counterparts.

Stakeholder Coordination:

• Developed and maintain productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
• Worked in close collaboration with The Gambian National Malaria Control Program, regions, USAID personnel, CDC, PMI staff in Washington to design, plan, and implement malaria control and elimination activities consistent with the malaria control coverage needs identified by the strategy and plans of the NCMP and PMI.
• Coordinated with, and developed a regular and consistent working platform with other development partners, such as the Global Fund, FDCO, WHO, UNICEF, The Gates Foundation, World Bank, NGOs, community-based organizations, and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) in the Gambia to support efforts to harmonize malaria control delivery at the national, regional and district levels.
• Actively participated in various technical malaria working groups to ensure effective coordination of USG PMI activities in The Gambia.
• Prepared and delivered presentations to government officials and various stakeholders to introduce USAID’s PMI program at local and regional levels.

• Acts as Technical Advisor for Malaria, Maternal Health, Nutrition, and Household Resiliency; Activity manager for U.S President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) vector control Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) program in Ghana.
• Advisor for Malaria, Maternal Health, Nutrition, and Household Resiliency. Coordinates with other partners and support efforts to address malaria control
  delivery gaps and help build technical and managerial capacity within the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Family Health Division, and Ghana Health
  Service (GHS) at the regional, district and lower levels in the Northern Region.
• Works across the four intervention areas mentioned above that are active in the Northern Region and ensures close coordination with maternal and child health interventions that serve as a necessary platform for their implementation.
• Leads collaboration across numerous technical teams to identify, analyze, formulate, and implement activities related to key results packages. Integrates relevant aspects of such needs into support for expanded and strengthened community-development approaches.
• Identifies implementation options, makes recommendations to supervisor and participates in the review of technical proposals for new activities under the integrated health program.
• Provides technical guidance to Communities and District Assemblies to identify evidence-based approaches that are contextually appropriate in the arenas of nutrition and health primarily, but also in relationship to household resiliency, water, sanitation and hygiene.
• Provides technical and supervisory oversight to the 10 Peace Corps Volunteers and four Peace Corps Response professionals working on nutrition, maternal and child
  health, agriculture, and water projects in the Northern Region.
• Facilitates the elaboration of collaboratively developed work-plans in three districts that address the nutrition objectives of RING. Works with RING Program Coordinator and the Health Deputy Office Director to manage short- and long-term technical assistance required for the successful design and implementation of activities for which he/she is responsible. The information contained within the work plans is moderately sensitive and must be treated with some degree of sensitivity.
• Work with Ministry of Social Welfare to coordinate the identification of vulnerable populations and ensure all social protections are in place. Performance Management Specialist.
• Develops and maintains the data base for relevant aspects of the Health Program’s Performance Management Plan (PMP) and its management and reporting systems; and documents programmatic achievements for inclusion in annual reports and semi-annual portfolio reviews, including the analysis of progress toward achievement of health program indicators and targets.
• Provides technical guidance to Mission, host-country and U.S.-based counterparts on program monitoring and performance management requirements; provides guidance to activity managers on activity impact assessment.
• Ensures quality of performance indicator data; arranges for and oversees the conduct of validity checks or verification reviews of data collection systems and information provided by partners, in accordance with USAID policy guidance.
• Acts as Activity Manager for Ghana for the African Indoor Residual Spraying Project (AIRS), a global project implemented in ten countries. Liaises with the AIRS COR
  (based in Washington DC) to develop and approve work plans and budgets; manage and monitor performance of the AIRS program; review and approve survey methodologies and instruments.
• Serves as Manager/ AOR of 7 District Implementation Letters for direct funding of the Government of Ghana; reviews and monitors proposals/program description;
  statistical, and financial reports; monitors progress in achieving targets and results; monitors actual versus planned targets and expenditures; carries out progress
  assessments and evaluations.
• Serves as Activity Manager for one contract and two cooperative agreements to represent the interests of the three Northern Regions in guiding project design, implementation, and monitoring.
• Keeps abreast of problems, which affect activity progress, and assists partners in revising activities and plans, as necessary, in light of changing circumstances. Is responsible for all trouble shooting with assigned grantees and implementing partners; answers a broad range of implementation questions. Is responsible for official communications to and from assigned partners.
• Oversees implementation of assigned activities through periodic field visits and reports to team on progress, implementation problems, and community service delivery technical assistance requirements of the Health SO.
• Prepares SO reports, analyses, trip reports, partner status reports, review-meeting summaries, prepare and amends Action Memoranda, MAARDs, grant program descriptions and scopes of work and accompanying budgets for assigned activities. Contributes to preparation of semi-annual activity implementation reports.

Research Study: Baseline entomological studies in ten districts to recommend insecticides for IRS in Ghana for AngloGold Mal. Ltd (Global Fund Round 8 Grant (No. GHN-809-GO8-M)

• Project planning, staff recruitment, data management including data tools development and pre-testing, training and community entry for data collections.
• Conducted susceptibility bioassays, ELISA and molecular analysis
• Conducted rigorous data analysis, ensuring accurate results interpretation, and report writing.
• Manuscript preparation and submission

• Led the Shamwana malaria project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with comprehensive research agenda, conceptualization, secured funding, implemented.
• Studied interactions between malaria vectors and malaria transmission in the communities with internally displaced persons.
• Studied insecticides resistances mechanisms in the mosquito vector populations in the communities.
• Identified and classified new insect species for control and further analysis including biodiversity enhancement.
• To prevent invasive species spread, implemented robust procedures for screening mosquito species collected at entry and exit points of communities.
• Developed effective vector control methods with a focus on environmental sustainability.
• Monitored and reported unusual insect activities, indicating possible outbreaks of diseases or pests infestations.
• Managed laboratory safety protocols whilst handling potentially hazardous materials during experiments for susceptibility assays.

• Facilitator of lectures in microbiology, including laboratory tutorials
• Mentored students is laboratory processes for culturing various micro bacteria
• Mentored students during their final year project, ensured successful completion.
• Served as personal tutor for struggling students, increased pass rates.

Research Study: An epidemiology study to assess Plasmodium falciparum parasite prevalence and serological conversion rates in catchment areas of a Phase III trial of the candidate malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01E in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Project co-ordination and implementation in Ghana (Kintampo), which includes but not limited to; staff recruitment, development of data collection tools, logistics acquisition, co-ordination of field activities, data accrual and processing, development of SOPs, report write-ups, and manuscript writing
• Provide leadership in the day-to-day operations of data quality, processing, in-depth data analysis of program data, including creating and managing a robust database capturing of data; analysis of data for advocacy presentations and meetings, reporting to donors and disseminations
• Coordinating and reporting of Adverse Events (AEs) to IRBs, resolution and responding to data queries.

• Authored peer-reviewed articles for publication in leading journals.
• Liaised with industry partners to translate research into practical applications.
• Participated in public engagement activities to promote research findings among general population.
• Managed laboratory equipment and supplies, ensuring smooth operations and adherence to quality standards.
• Developed innovative research methods to advance scientific processes and simplify results interpretations.
• Enhanced data analysis capabilities with advanced statistical software.
• Sought funding opportunities via grant applications, securing resources for projects.
• Reviewed manuscripts submitted by peers, upholding rigorous academic standards within the community.
• Coordinated collaborative research efforts with external institutions, enhancing cross-disciplinary exchanges and innovation potential.
• Participated in departmental meetings, contributing valuable insights for decision-making processes.
• Presented research findings at international conferences, boosting professional network.

• Facilitated internal communications with departments and units with clear and concise SOP templates and bulletins.
• Increased efficiency of document and SOP retrieval with a well-organized SOP filing system.
• Contributed towards positive work environment by maintaining updated SOPs, filling SOPs orderly in shared spaces.
• Coordinated trainings and approval of SOPs for all department and units, contributing towards seamless laboratory processes without disruption.
• Provided comprehensive secretarial support to the clinical laboratory director, ensuring smooth daily operations within the departments.
• Improved record keeping system with attention to detail and thoroughness.

• Providing oversight for implementation of grant objectives and deliverables by ethics committee
• Convener of training workshops, facilitator, ProIRB software trainer, grant report write-up.
• SOP development for ethics committee operations and procedures
• Field monitoring and evaluation visits for approved research studies and trials to ensure ethics compliance and protections of participants.
• Maintained high levels of data accuracy for smooth operations by conducting regular database audits.
• Sorted incoming mail from researchers and investigators promptly, reducing clutter and improving ethics secretariat workplace.
• Improved record keeping system at the secretariat of ethics committee with attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Handled sensitive patient or participant information discreetly, maintaining confidentiality at all times as required by ethics protocol.

Study Trial: An epidemiology study to assess Plasmodium falciparum parasite prevalence and serological conversion rates in catchment areas of a Phase III trial of the candidate malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01E in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Coordinated field trainings, sample collections,
• Reviewed data tools, signed consent forms from research participants
• Laised with laboratory staff and reviewed
• Managed budgets diligently, controlled unnecessary expenditure on projects.
• Enhanced project efficiency by streamlining communication channels.
• Led cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on time.
• Identified risks, implemented mitigation strategies for secure project outcomes.
• Drafted site manuscript for final consolidated manuscript for completed trial.

Research Study: Baseline household morbidity study in the Birim north district in the Eastern Region of Ghana (Newmont Gold Ghana limited project)

• Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently including design of data tools, reviews of questionnaires, sample collections and speciation, packaging and shipment of samples to laboratory.
• Performed trainings and supervision of field workers to achieve quality data
• Reviewed and approved consent process, performed randomization and selection of households to receive collections and interviews performed.
• Completed duties to deliver on targets with accuracy and efficiency.
• Improved field work co-ordination with efficiency by instituting spot checks and periodic night visits to mosquito collectors in the communities.

Project grant: AMANET Capacity Strengthening grant to Kintampo Institutional Ethics Committee (2006 – 2010)

• Providing oversight for implementation of grant objectives and deliverables, convener of training workshops, facilitator of specific sessions, ProIRB software trainer, grant report write-up.
• SOP development for ethics committee operations and procedures.
• Field monitoring and evaluation visits for ensure ethics compliance for approved research studies.
• Secured buy-in from all stakeholders with persuasive presentations of benefits of proposed grant.
• Collaborations with external ethics committees for cross learning, monitoring of research activities and engagement for reviews of clinical trial data.

• Facilitated successful completion of complex studies by diligently meeting deadlines.
• Coordinated participant recruitment efforts, enhanced study sample size.
• Implemented strict adherence to ethical guidelines throughout the research process.
• Translated technical jargon into layman's terms for public presentations during community engagements.
• Co-ordination of entomology field work; light traps settings, speciation of insects, ELISA analysis, PCR analysis.
• Malaria microscopy; blood film preparation, phlebotomy (capillary blood sampling process)
• Capacity building and training of field assistants in specific areas of the project.

• Aided in mapping procedures using GIS software, enhancing terrain understanding.
• Co-ordination of entomology field work; light traps settings, speciation of insects, ELISA analysis, PCR analysis.
• Malaria microscopy; blood film preparation, phlebotomy (capillary blood sampling process)
• Overall technical direction and leadership for technical activity of project in data management and in-depth analysis of deliverables and results.
• Capacity building and training of field assistants in specific areas of the project.
• Assisted in research tasks, contributing to successful project completion.
• Worked with weather stations to collect rainfall data for research whilst maintaining high work ethics.
• Interacted effectively with local communities during field surveys.
• Provided translations support by translating consent forms from English to Twi, Dagaare and Kaseem to study participants.
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• Assisted in preparation for professional trainings, courses, and conferences
• Assisted in data collection for research studies in communities.
• Conducted fieldwork, which improved data accuracy and reliability.
• Played vital role in developing survey tools for gathering primary data from participants.
• Reviewed and compiled literature on assigned research topics, leading to increased knowledge base.
• Contributed to writing academic papers from the project's findings, enhancing professional development skills.