Epidemiology and Surveillance Specialist – Yaounde (1 Position)

negotiable / YEAR Expires in 1 week

JOB DETAIL

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

Job Summary:

The Epidemiology and Surveillance Specialist will provide technical support, manage staff, and monitor epidemiological surveillance strengthening activities of the anticipated USAID-funded Global Health Security projectsin Cameron. They will provide technical support to the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment and their structural divisions on developing and/or updating infectious disease detection and surveillance strategies. They will take the lead on planning and Implementingactivities to improve the quality and performance of epidemiology and surveillance services. Provide technical support and guidance around the issues, challenges, and strategies for improving access to quality affecting the project. They will contribute technical inputs to the annual work planning at the country level, lead in developing guidelines and policies for epidemiology and surveillance strengthening activities, participate in technical meetings, and provide thought leadership at the country level.

They will work closely with the project and headquarters (HQ) teamsby evaluating program effectiveness, oversee technical aspects, and provide technical assessment reports.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

  • Providesprojectstaffwithoveralltechnicaldirectionandguidanceon epidemiological surveillance inlinewiththeproject’s expected outcomes.
  • Provides strategic leadership and guidance to the epidemiology and public health surveillance component of the project in coordination with other project technical areas.
  • Supports the design and implementation of technical activities to establish or strengthen event- and indicator-based surveillance, and community-based surveillance for priority pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
  • Provides technical expertise in preparing training materials, standard operating procedures, and job aids and delivers training to epidemiologists, disease surveillance officers, project staff and partners.
  • Monitorsandmaintainsprojectprotocols,instruments,datasets,manuals,trainingmaterials, and reports related to technical areas of expertise.
  • Workscloselywithnational counterparts and teamstoprovide the technical assistancerequired to fulfill national objectives and targets, especially those related to epidemiologic surveillance strategies,policies, plans, and procedures forpriority emerginginfectious diseases,zoonotic diseases, andantimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • Contributes to developing/reviewing One Health strategies and frameworks.
  • Assists with the expansion of the One Health approach including engagement with relevant sectors and disciplines, including animal health, wildlife, environment, public, academia, research, and private sectors at national and subnational levels.
  • Assists with activities to strengthen capacities of national staff and partners to efficiently operationalize One Health, including participating in, and providing technical support as a facilitator, trainer, and/or evaluator at national and subnational One Health events, such as technical meetings, workshops, and simulation exercises with key stakeholders.
  • Developstechnicalbriefs,reports,orothernecessarymaterialstofacilitateand document research, best practices, policies, and procedures.
  • Conductsanalysisofprojectimplementationtoidentifyareasforimprovementandpropose appropriate technical strategies and guidelines.
  • Coordinates closely with the global surveillance team to ensure synergies and experience sharing within and across global health security countries.
  • Provides onsite and on-the-job technical assistance to epidemiologists and others as required and requested as part of overall capacity-building and continuous improvement schemes.
  • Providestechnicalassistancetodevelopandimplement plans to expand passive surveillance systems into active surveillance for priority diseases and to serve as an enhanced early warning surveillance system.
  • Provides technical assistance to strengthen national expertise to manage health management information system platforms (including laboratory managing information systems), analyze data, and produce surveillance reports and other visualizations aligned with evidence-based best practices, and international standards. Maycreatetechnicalportionoftheprojectplanwithinavailable resourcesandfinancial constraints.
  • Contributes technical support to efforts to improve real-time data reporting, data quality, data sharing, andthe linkage of surveillance andlaboratory data
  • Provide technical assistance to strengthen linkage of epidemiology and laboratory surveillance data, data analysis, and interpretation.
  • Assists with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan.
  • Works with project management and technical teams to define, develop, implement,monitorand adjust technical work plans, budgets, presentations, and reports.
  • Utilizes evidence-based methods and best practices to implement workplan activities.
  • Participateinclient/fundermeetingsanddraftreports/presentations.

 

Project Design/Implementation:

  • Supports the Country Project Lead in collaborating with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and relevant national and regional institutions for project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
  • Developsstrategiesandtoolsforthedesignandimplementationofepidemiologic and public health surveillancecomponents
  • Monitors project deliverables and reports to supervisors.
  • Leads technical project activities and sub-activities and assists with project implementation.
  • Identifies and raises issues to management.

 

 

Client/Funder Support:

  • Providesfinalauthorizationandapprovalofassignedtechnicalportionsofproject design, based on the direction set by technical leadership.
  • Builds productive working relationships internally and externally by fostering partnerships with national and international organizations, government agencies, academia, and other relevant entities.
  • Assists with the preparation and drafting of work plans, presentations, and reports for the donor and other key stakeholders.
  • Participate in and represents the project in meetings and forums as required

 

Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):

  • Ensuresprojectactivitiesareontrackwithworkplans,withtechnicalexpertiseinforming project implementation.
  • Assistsinthedevelopmentofdonorreportsand presentations.
  • Tracks technical project spending under broad supervision.
  • Establishes and maintainsStatementofWork(SOW)andbudgettrackingsystems for activities under the leadership of this position;providesreportsto supervisors.
  • Coordinatewithsuppliersforprocurements.

 

Project/Program Reporting:

  • Provides strategic leadership and guidance to the M&E specialist of the project in coordination with other project technical areas:
  • Assists in reviewing and updating the M&E frameworks to reflect changes in the project context and best practices, and
  • Oversees and ensures timely submission of accurate reports to funder, and other stakeholders summarizing project progress, achievements, and lessons learned.
  • Preparesreportsandpaperssummarizingprojectresultsandanalyzingdatasetsand technical assessment findings.
  • Creates technical content (e.g., summary reports, presentations, manuscripts) related to project activities, results, and outcomes

 

Quality Assurance:

  • Develops in-depth knowledge of quality standards through a formalized system that documentsprocesses,procedures,andresponsibilitiesforachievingqualitypoliciesand objectives.
  • Coordinates and directs activities to meet donor and regulatory requirements.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

 

  • In-depthknowledgeofepidemiologic research and public health surveillance concepts,practices,andprocedures
  • Experience developing scopes of work with deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
  • Broad knowledge of quality standards.
  • Proficiency with database management software and online search tools required.
  • Hassensitivitytoculturaldiversityandunderstandingofthepolitical,contextual,andethical issues in assigned areas.
  • Articulate,professional,andabletocommunicateinaclear,positivemannerwithclientsand staff.
  • Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
  • Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
  • Ability to influence and collaborate with others.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
  • Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.

 

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Problem Solving & Impact:

  • Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require review of various factors.
  • Exercisesgoodjudgmentwithselectingmethodsandtechniquestodetermineappropriate action.
  • Identifies and raises issues to management.
  • Networks with key internal and external personnel.

 

Supervision Given/Received:

  • Serves as technical lead for epidemiology and surveillance.
  • May supervisor junior level staff.
  • Reports to the Country Project Lead.

 

Education:

  • Master’s degree or its international equivalent in epidemiology, public health, orotherhealth-related fields related to the functions of the position.

 

Experience:

  • At least six years ofcombined national and international experience working in epidemiology and publichealth programs related to the control of infectious diseases, health analysis, and statistics.
  • Priorworkexperience, knowledge, and practical expertise in applying the WHO International Health Regulations and in outbreak response at the national and international levels.
  • Considerable knowledge and experience of M&E systems in project implementation.
  • Proficiency in data quality assurance, data analysis, and interpretation.
  • Relevant training in epidemiology and surveillance, either through formal education or participation in training programs, such as the Field Epidemiology Training Programs (e.g., advanced, intermediate, or frontline course), is desirable.
  • Knowledge and experience implementing One Health approaches, including experience in zoonotic disease management, health systems strengthening, and cross-sectoral collaborationis preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in implementing infectious disease surveillance methodology, including analysis of epidemiologic investigation data utilizing new methodologies or existing techniques.
  • Ability to analyze current public health surveillance systems and to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.
  • Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated experience in training and mentoring staff and others.
  • Demonstrated experience working with government officials, particularly the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and/or Ministry of Environment is highly desirable to supportstrategy development, implementation plans, and decision-making.
  • Prior work experience with USAID-funded projects and familiarity with USAID regulations and reporting requirements is preferred.
  • Proficiency in English & Frenc languages arerequired

 

Typical Physical Demands:

  • Typical office environment.
  • Abilitytospendlonghourslookingatcomputerscreenanddoingrepetitiveworkona keyboard.
  • Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
  • Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

 

Technology to be Used:

  • Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams),cellphone/mobiletechnology,andstandardofficeequipment.

 

Travel Requirements:

  • Up to 40% local and regional travel

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods

Yaoundé, Cameroon