Duration of contract: may go beyond one year with satisfactory performance

Project Duration: Five years

Place: Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa

Reporting to: National Data Management Center for health (NDMC)

BACKGROUND

National Data Management Center for health (NDMC) is a responsible to centrally archive health and health related data; ensure data governance and security; create platforms for data sharing; process and manage data by applying robust data analytic technics, integration of datasets and data science; generate and synthesis evidence; and ensure evidence utilization for decision making by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and other relevant stakeholders at local, sub-national and national and international levels; ensure relevant capacities are built at local, national and regional levels and to serve as center of excellence.

Inline with this the Government of Ethiopia has received financial support from the World Bank to support Africa CDC to strengthen regional infectious disease detection and response systems. With this regard the National Data Management Center for health (NDMC) is responsible to support ACDCP functions related to data-sharing, disease surveillance and reporting, integrated data analysis, evidence synthesis, evidence translation, and database development and to serve as a regional and continental information hub. For the effective implementation of these activities EPHI is looking for high caliber DATA SPECIALIST for EPIDEMIOLGICAL MODELING and PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS with strong qualification and experience.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this post is to ensure deployment of high caliber Data Specialist for Epidemiological Modeling and Predictive analyses, who can lead coordinate, monitor and perform Epidemiological modeling and Predictive analyses of the center, who can contribute in developing innovative interconnected and interoperable disease surveillance and reporting systems, to build data analytic, disease surveillance and reporting, integrated data analysis, digital platforms and data sharing. To this end, EPHI wants to recruit a Data Specialist for Epidemiological Modeling and Predictive analysis.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work directly with researchers to explain and modify databases and routine data analytic processes to best serve the needs for epidemic modeling and disease intelligence endeavors
• Design and articulate ways to improve routine computational processes, including the relevant trade‐offs of different approaches, for decision‐making purposes Databases and routine computation
• Maintain, update, and adapt databases containing health data from multiple sources such as surveys, surveillance, laboratory, vital registration systems, administrative records, and published studies to obtain large amount of data for heterogeneous and integrated analyses.
• Maintain, update, and carry out routine but complex computational processes that are central to generating results for ongoing researches including data science applications.
• Execute queries on databases and resolve intricate questions in order to respond to the needs of senior researchers and external requests and other stakeholders.
• Create and execute diagnostics and summary reports on data, databases, and routine computational processes to assess performance and results.
• Develop and use protocols to identify problems with datasets and routine computational processes, rectify issues, and systematize data for future analyses.
• Assess and contribute to decision‐making about what type of coding language and approach to use in accomplishing routine computational tasks for managing emergency public health data.
• Develop and use protocols that dictate the best ways to store data for use in multiple analyses.
• Archive, catalogue, and annotate datasets according to Institute standards to build a common library of materials for use by a wide set of researchers.
• Develop novel representations of data and results for senior researchers and other stakeholders.
• Perform quality checks and audits of code from fellow staff.
• Disseminate analyses findings in workshops, conferences, publishing in reputable journals, evidence briefs, media briefs,
• Write scientific manuscripts, technical reports, evidence briefs, guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures, protocols as needed
• Engage in competitive grant writing, negotiate with funding organizations, research institutes and individual researchers
• Create tables and figures, and generate text for presentations and publications, drawing upon data and information from a multitude of sources.
• Develop novel representations of data and results for senior researchers and other stakeholders.
• Communicate clearly and effectively while contributing as a productive member of both research teams and the data team. Work closely with other team members to help them with relevant tasks, show them how to learn new skills, and help resolve emerging problems on different projects.
• Attend relevant meetings, adhere to deadlines, and participate as a vital member to collectively advance team‐level objectives.
• Help to develop and deliver training modules for short term trainees, public health and postdoctoral fellows and staff in data science, big data analytics and other relevant areas.
• Act as a resource to advice on methodological and conceptual dimensions to integrate data and for complex computational processes for trainees, research fellows, junior data analysts, and data analytic and visualization team
• Participate in overall community of the Institute, carrying out duties as required as team members with other Institute members.
• Utilize advanced statistical methods and demographic techniques to produce evidence from population health data
• Assemble research and verify data to be stored on specifically designed databases or data storage systems. Oversee the entire conversion process, working closely with clients to ensure that this data is accurate and accessible
• Analyze and Verify Data such as research data sources and make any corrections to existing data as needed to ensure accuracy of the information being recorded
• Create a Digital Conversion Program such as design a database or software program needed to convert data
• Generate Reports regarding the progress of a conversion program to clients, workflow and workflow disruptions, exceptions, costs and analysis results
• Provide Technical Support and Assistance such as training a client in the use of the database or software system.
• Maintain databases and answer any questions users might have regarding the system

 METHODOLOGY

The data specialist for epidemiological modeling and predictive analysis will work closely with the National Data Management Centre (NDMC), Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM), Lab capacity and Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) units and support Africa CDC Regional Investment Financing Program (ACDC), disease intelligence, developing innovative interconnected, interoperable disease surveillance and reporting systems.

REPORTING

• The data specialist will report to the NDMC Coordinator
• The expert will base in EPHI/NDMC in Addis Ababa

Job Requirements

• Background in Health Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering
• PhD degree in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Mathematics (Applied), Data Science and 8 years of experiences on health and health related data or big heterogeneous data analysis. Or
• MSc in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Mathematics (Applied), Data Science and 10 years of experiences on health and health related data or big heterogeneous data analysis

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

• Ample experiences on methodological foundations, including causal inference, data systems design, deep learning, experimental design, modeling of structured data, random matrix theory, non-parametric Bayesian methods, scalable inference, statistical computation, and visualization
• Experiences in integrating & triangulating big heterogeneous health research data
• Experience in mathematical modeling and prediction
• Experience in computer programming such as R and Python
• Experience in Parallel programming and using of HPC clusters
• Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data from various sources and produce graphics and tabular data presentations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Organized and self-motivated. Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet demands of a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• Dedicated team player with flexibility to work with and without supervision
• Experience with SAS/STATA, SPSS, R, advanced excel
• Capable of independently managing time and the tasks associated with a fast paced research agenda and strong organizational objectives

How to Apply

 Note:- Interested applicants can register in Online through CLICK HERE send their CVs and relevant documents at the address given below within 7 Working days from the first appearance of the announcement

Remarks: Please attach copies of transcripts, academic degree or recommendation letters together with the application.