Number of Positions: 1
Application Deadline: October 30, 2017
Program: Field Epidemiology Training Program- Frontline
Duty Station: Cote d’Ivoire, Ministry of Health with frequent travel to the sub-national levels.
Back ground
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Global Health (CGH) in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and Ministries of Health in Sub-Saharan Africa is initiating Frontline Field epidemiology training for several cadres of public health workers. The focus of these field epidemiology training will be on increasing the public health systems’ ability to identify and respond rapidly to a possible introduction of infectious diseases including Ebola, by improving collection, analysis and dissemination of public health data at the local levels. The training is competency based and can be customized to suit local needs. The courses include didactic sessions followed by field work at the participants work location. During the field work, the participants work on projects that are supervised by local mentors. The projects should aim at improving surveillance and outbreak response at the local level and should gain the support of the local health managers. At the end of the field work, participants produce a written and oral report of their field activities.
Implementing countries in African include: Benin, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.
The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is a not-for-profit, networking alliance and service organization that brings together field epidemiology training programs (FETPs) across Africa working side by side with Ministries of Health, regional and international partners. AFENET works to strengthen epidemiological and disease surveillance capabilities of African countries that are critical to meeting the requirements of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy and the International Health Regulations (IHR). AFENET is seeking to recruit a highly qualified & experienced person to serve as Field Coordinators/mentors in each of the implementing countries.
Basic Roles and Functions:
The Field Coordinator will be responsible for training and mentoring surveillance officers and other public health workers for the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Cote d’Ivoire to improve disease surveillance, early detection, and timely response to outbreaks.
Duties and Responsibilities
Work with the FETP-Frontline Resident Advisor in Cote d’Ivoire, Ministry of Health, CDC, AFENET and other partners to:
• Develop and implement a plan for the Frontline Field Epidemiology training for public health professionals.
• Review and adapt the existing Field Epidemiology curriculum and training materials as may be required to suit the specific needs of the country.
• Ensure availability of all the required logistics for the didactics and field mentorship of selected participants.
• Train supervisors and mentors to effectively coach FETP participants in the field to ensure attainment of the core competencies and skills
• Conduct the planned Frontline Field epidemiology training for surveillance officers the country.
• Provide mentorship, couching and supervision for the trainees during the field placement periods to ensure acquisition of key field epidemiology skills and competencies.
• Provide technical assistance to trainees in preparing their presentations for local and national level dissemination of their key findings and recommendations from their field projects.
• Participate in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and response activities in the Ministry of Health together with the trained surveillance officers as a means to demonstrate best practices.
• Assist with the evaluation of the FETP program and participants.
• Develop a database for all the Frontline FETP alumni in the country
• Prepare regular and timely technical reports on the program implementation in the region for submission to CDC, AFENET, MoH and other partners.
Position Qualification
• Masters or Doctoral-level professional degree in academic fields related to health or allied sciences, preferably in human medicine, Public Health, veterinary medicine nursing & laboratory science.
• Graduate from a Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) in Africa within the past 2-3 years will have added advantage
Experience and Skills
• At least 1-2 years of experience working in the field as a practicing field epidemiologist
• Sound knowledge of WHO standards and policies such as the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy (IDSR) and International Health Regulations.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the functionality of surveillance systems at national, sub-national, local and community levels of health systems in Africa.
• Experience in preparing and facilitating training for in – service public health workforce development initiatives in Africa preferably within an existing FETP.
• Experience implementing adult education strategies i.e. problem based participatory learning activities, role play, etc.
• Demonstrated proficiency in distillation, interpretation, and verification of unstructured scientific and popular data.
• Training and experience in public health emergency management and incident command will be an added advantage
• Proficiency in the use of the following software:
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheet
• Power point
• Database
• Internet
• Statistical Packages: Epi Info, STATA, SPSS
Required qualities:
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple partners and teams at national and subnational levels.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, leadership, collaborative and good listening skills
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• Openness to new ideas and willingness to accept different opinions
• Patience and sense of humor
• Willingness to travel for extended periods of time within the country
Benefits: A competitive remuneration
Others: Candidate must be able to begin work immediately in November 2017 in Cote d’Ivoire.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit their Application Letters detailing their experiences and skills, Curriculum Vitae, copies of relevant academic documents and 3 references to:
The Human Resource Office, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET). Email: sec@afenet.net on Monday, October 30, 2017, by close of business (East Africa Time).
Note: In your application provide: Your name, nationality, email address, reliable telephone number and reference letters from all your three referees.
*ONLY successful candidates shall be contacted for an interview.