Epidemiology and Surveillance Specialist

Epidemiology and Surveillance Specialist

locations

US-REMOTE-DC

USA-Remote (Any)

US-REMOTE-NC

time type

Full time

job requisition id

Requisition - 2024201390

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 projects. S/He 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. S/He will take the lead on planning and Implementing activities 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. S/He will contribute, technical inputs to the annual work planning at the country level, lead in developing guidelines and policies for the epidemiology and surveillance strengthening activities, and participate in technical meetings, and thought leadership at the country level.

S/He will work closely with the project and headquarters (HQ) teams by evaluating program effectiveness, oversee technical aspects, and provide technical assessment reports. S/He will contribute to business development efforts, including supporting the management of opportunity identification, capture, and strategic partnering.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

Provides project staff with overall technical direction and guidance on epidemiological surveillance in line with the project’s expected outcomes.

Provides strategic leadership and guidance to the epidemiology and surveillance component of the project in coordination with other project technical areas. Provides technical experts advice in preparing training materials, standard operating procedures, and job aids and delivers training to epidemiologists, disease surveillance officers, project staff and partners.

Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports related to technical areas of expertise.

Works closely with the national counterparts and teams to provide the technical assistance required to fulfill national objectives and targets, especially those related to the epidemiological surveillance strategic plans

Develops or writes technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate research, best practices, policies, and procedures.

Conducts analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose 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. 

Provides technical assistance to develop and implement 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 information systems), analyze data, and produce surveillance reports and other visualizations aligned with evidence-based best practices, and international standards. May create technical portion of the project plan, within the given resources and financial constraints.

Assists with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan

Works with project management and technical teams to define, develop, implement, monitor and adjust technical work plans, budgets, presentations, and reports.

Utilizes evidence-based methods and best practices to implement work plan activities.

Participate in client/funder meetings and draft reports/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.

Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components.

Supports linking epidemiology and laboratory surveillance data, data analysis, and interpretation.

Supports the implementation of event- and indicator-based surveillance, and community-based surveillance for priority pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.

Monitors project deliverables and reports to supervisors.

Leads technical project activities and sub-activities and assists with project implementation.

May implement components of the technical portions of the project plan.

Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff.

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

Provides final authorization and approval of the technical portions of project design, based on the design and direction set by technical leadership.

Builds productive working relationships internally and externally.

Participate in business development meetings with partners and relevant stakeholders.

Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):

Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation.

Assists in the development of donor reports and presentations.

Tracks technical project spending under broad supervision.

Tracks Statement of Work (SOW) and budget tracking systems; provides reports to supervisors.

Coordinate with suppliers for procurements.

Project/Program Reporting:

Supports efforts to improve real-time reporting data, data sharing, and interoperability between surveillance and laboratory systems.

Provides strategic leadership and guidance to the M&E specialist of the project in coordination with other project technical areas:  

a. Assists in reviewing and updating the M&E frameworks to reflect changes in the project context and best practices, and

b. Oversees and ensures timely submission of accurate reports to funder, and other stakeholders summarizing project progress, achievements, and lessons learned

Prepares reports and papers summarizing project results and analyzing data sets and technical assessment findings.

Establishes and maintains SOW and budget tracking systems.

Drafts/prepares client technical reports.

Creates technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts).

Quality Assurance:

Develops in-depth knowledge of quality standards through formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.

Coordinates and direct activities to meet client/funder and regulatory requirements

Performs other duties as assigned.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

In-depth knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with providing technical support for research studies.

Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.

Broader knowledge of quality standards

Proficiency with database management software and on-line search tools required.

Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.

Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.

Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.

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

Problem Solving & Impact:

Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require review of various factors.

Exercises good judgment with selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.

Decisions may cause delays and affect a work unit or area within a department.

Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff

Networks with key internal and external personnel.

Decision may cause delays or failure to achieve results that impact departmental goals.

Supervision Given/Received:

Determines methods and procedures on new projects and assignments.

Serves as team 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, or. or in any of the fields related to the functions of the position.

Experience:

At least six years of combined national and international experience working in epidemiology and control programs of health services related to the control of diseases, health analysis, and statistics. Prior work experience, knowledge, and practical expertise in applying the International Health Regulations and outbreak control at national and international levels.

Professional expertise in preventive public health, epidemiological research, disease control, and health services.

Considerable knowledge and experience of M&E systems in project implementation.

Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation.

Relevant training in epidemiology and surveillance, such as basic epidemiology and disease or events-based surveillance, or participation in Field Epidemiology Training Programs (e.g., advanced, intermediate, or frontline course), is desirable.

Demonstrated experience in implementing community-based surveillance methodology, including analysis of epidemiologic investigation data utilizing new methodologies or existing techniques.

Ability to analyze current 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.

Proven experience working with government officials, particularly the Department of Health, is highly desirable to support strategy development, implementation plans, and decision-making.

Experience working on contracts

Proficiency in English language

Typical Physical Demands:

Typical office environment.

Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.

Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

Ability to travel domestically at least 25%.

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.

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