Epidemiology and Surveillance Specialist

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 projects in 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 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. 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) teams by evaluating program effectiveness, oversee technical aspects, and provide technical assessment reports.

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 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.
• Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports related to technical areas of expertise.
• Works closely with national counterparts and teams to provide the technical assistance required to fulfill national objectives and targets, especially those related to epidemiologic surveillance strategies, policies, plans, and procedures for priority emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, and antimicrobial 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.
• Develops technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate and document 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 managing 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 available resources and financial constraints.
• Contributes technical support to efforts to improve real-time data reporting, data quality, data sharing, and the linkage of surveillance and laboratory 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, 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 epidemiologic and public health surveillance components
• 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:

• Provides final authorization and approval of assigned technical portions of project 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.):

• 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.
• Establishes and maintains Statement of Work (SOW) and budget tracking systems for activities under the leadership of this position; provides reports to supervisors.
• Coordinate with suppliers for procurements.

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.
• Prepares reports and papers summarizing project results and analyzing data sets and 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 documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.

• Coordinates and directs activities to meet donor and regulatory requirements.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

  Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of epidemiologic research and public health surveillance concepts, practices, and procedures

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• 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, or other health-related fields related to the functions of the position.

Experience:

• At least six years of combined national and international experience working in epidemiology and public health programs related to the control of infectious diseases, health analysis, and statistics.
• Prior work experience, 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 collaboration is 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 support strategy 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 & French languages are required

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:

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

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 40% local and regional travel