Defining, coordinating and monitoring the epidemiological activities, ensuring the development of appropriate methodology and the quality of studies according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to identify risk factors for diseases and to determine Defining, coordinating and monitoring the epidemiological activities, ensuring the development of appropriate methodology and the quality of studies according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to identify risk factors for diseases and to determine .

Accountabilities

• Defining, scheduling and organizing, in close collaboration with other medical team members, the annual epidemiological activity plan as well as its associated budget, in order to improve early detection of risk factors to better define treatment approaches and preventive practices. Leading the implementation of the protocols and epidemiological methodology, ensuring all related staff follows them in order to improve research efficiency. 

• Supervising, according to annual plan, the epidemiological research activity ensuring that contacts with community groups and authorities are aligned with the objectives of the research and that the population participating in the research is properly informed. Reporting on the progress of data collection, on ongoing analysis of research or on any issue causing delay, in order to achieve epidemiological goals on time.

• Advising the MSF medical team on epidemiological matters that arise in the course of their activity research, and when necessary, designing and implementing epidemiological tools and data collection to meet new epidemiological needs. 

• Ensuring, in coordination with logistics department, that national or international shipment of laboratory samples acquired for research purposes is done within datelines and according to protocols, following security rules and keeping conditions needed for the sample 

• Supervising data filing procedures, ensuring that all epidemiology software tools are properly used and are updated regularly, in order to ensure full data traceability and availability 

• Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department and the MSF vision, policies and values, the associated processes (job description, recruitment, training, performance evaluation, development and internal/external communication) of the epidemiological staff in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required, to improve staff technical capabilities, contribution and commitment to MSF values. 

• Supervising, in close coordination with the Logistic Manager that research equipment and materials are properly maintained and stock level is above minimum point in order to ensure availability and research activity continuity. 

• Participating in operational monthly reports and organizing and/or assisting medical staff in preparing epidemiological reports related to health facilities and to researched areas

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

Objective 1

Detect, investigate and respond to alerts and outbreaks of communicable diseases and malnutrition as per MSF guidelines, EPREP and mission SOPs by conducting horizon scanning, surveillance activities and alerts’ management

Specific objectives:

• Set up/improve an alert management system for appropriate identification follow up, investigation and confirmation of alerts at project level and maintain the one existing at coordination level including performing horizon scanning of outbreak prone diseases, malnutrition and other alerts

• Monitor the functionality, ensure the agile reactivity, and strengthen/improve the surveillance system at project level including the technical development or revision of SOPs and guidelines, set-up thresholds and perform routine data analysis in order to early detect outbreaks at project level

• Participate in the set up and ensure the functionality and sustainability of the intersectional Nutrition and Food Security Surveillance system; perform regular analysis and reporting including liaising with other OCs focal points for routinely and timely quality data collection and entry.

• Early detect outbreaks at project and national level and deploy together with other team members to perform rapid timely outbreak investigation (10 steps of outbreak investigation), provide public health recommendations, participate in the outbreak response, and prepare intermediate and final outbreak reports

• Act as technical epidemiological focal point in EPREP OCB defined scenarios and technically support the development and revision of EPREP related documents. Ensure that an epidemiological toolkit is available for each scenario and relevant teams are appropriately trained

• Liaise with national and local surveillance and outbreak response stakeholders, laboratories, FETPs, other MSF OCs and health partners with respect to surveillance and response to notifiable diseases and ensure relevant data is timely reported to national surveillance systems as per requirements

  Objective 2

• Propose, technically plan and/or lead Needs and Health Assessments, quantitative surveys and operational research (OR) within the mission and support the Emergency Preparedness Plan preparation and implementation

• Specific objectives:

• Identify the need, propose and/or conduct relevant assessments and surveys (e.g., Risk, Needs and Health Assessment, Rapid Nutrition Assessment, Vaccination Coverage Surveys, Nutrition, Mortality, KAP surveys etc.)

• Develop appropriate tools, forms and ToRs for Rapid Needs and Health Assessments and train relevant staff in their use at project and coordination level

• Identify relevant OR opportunities and propose OR 

• Develop clear ToRs, Concept notes, protocols and data collection tools (electronic, paper-based) including a robust methodology for assessments, surveys and OR, and submit for approval to national and MSF Ethical Review Boards wherever needed

• Technically implement the surveys and OR and lead the analysis process using appropriate software

• Ensure timely production of assessment, survey and OR reports, abstracts, presentations and manuscripts for publication with clear and actionable public health recommendations as well as presentation and dissemination of results to concerned stakeholders for evidence-based decision making, national and international meetings and conferences

• Ensure required staff to implement surveys and OR is being recruited/matched and properly trained

  Objective 3

• Perform Surveillance, Monitoring and Evaluation activities by ensuring the setup, functionality, continuity, and sustainability of the mission Health Information System (HIS) (Monitoring & Surveillance) including continuous analysis, regular reporting and provision of appropriate public health recommendations

  Specific objectives:

• Technically support the medical teams through participatory development of quality Logframes including sound objectives, indicators, targets, etc. as per MSF guidelines and an appropriate interlink between project Logframe indicators and the mission HIS.

• Continuously monitor, ensure the functionality and improvement of the HIS at project and coordination level and that all pillars of the HIS are in place, updated and improved as per the intervention needs including DHIS2 and its dashboards, PowerBI reports, line lists, epidemiological hard copy tools, data flows, related SOPs, guidelines, and other essential pillars

• Lead the setup and revision as per requirements of the data flows and deployment of new HIS components in existing and new projects including all key steps - from primary data collection tools to the software utilized for analysis and the reporting templates. 

• Ensure continuous routine data analysis within the framework of the HIS, appropriate interpretation and quality regular reporting (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually), provision of public health recommendations based on the results of the analysis and dissemination to the relevant teams

• Develop/Revise reporting templates according to needs and tailored to the projects

• Closely collaborate with MSF medical and paramedical teams across the mission

  Objective 4

• Provide technical and administrative support to the Epi/Data and medical/paramedical teams and ensure capacity building according to needs while closely collaborating for M&E and emergencies.

• Specific objectives:

• Provide technical support to all staff involved in the Health Information System (Epi/Data, medical, paramedical) and ensure they are equipped with the required knowledge and skills to utilize epidemiological tools and analysis software, navigate through the validated SOPs and perform analysis and interpretation of data utilizing the analysis software of the mission (DHIS2, PowerBI, etc.

• Ensure project staff have the capacity to implement needs and health assessments and surveys

• Ensure a long-term capacity building plan for the Epi/Data Team is in place and regularly updated

• Identify training needs, propose and implement capacity building sessions based on identified gaps for the Epi/Data team and other medical staff members on epidemiology and HIS related subject

• Undertake regular project visits providing mentorship and guidance to project epi/data and medical staff on relevant components

• Prepare and lead quality trainings and/or identify relevant internal and external trainings to meet training needs of the Epi/data team

• Recruit (Job Descriptions, tests, interviews, etc.) and manage Epi/Data team members

• Provide professional guidance to directly line-managed staff as well as functionally line-managed staff, set-objectives, periodically revise and measure progress of set-objectives and perform the annual evaluation

• Provide administrative support to directly line-managed staff

• Fill gaps when required at project level and provide timely support to field project teams

 Job Requirements

Requirements

            Education

• Essential: medical, nursing or paramedical related diploma. 

• Essential: masters in Epidemiology or Public Health with extensive training in statistics and epidemiology or diploma in Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP)

• Desirable: specialization or training in tropical diseases or Public Health or outbreak investigations

           Experience

• Essential: working experience of at least two years in field epidemiological activities

• Essential: experience in needs assessments, surveillance, alert management, outbreak investigation and control, surveys

• Desirable working experience with MSF or other NGOs 

                                         Knowledge

• Essential: computer literacy (MS Office Suite), an analytical/statistical software (Epi-Info, STATA, SPSS, R, etc.), DHIS2, PowerBI, GIS software

• Essential: database management, statistical analysis, secondary data review, survey designing and implementation, monitoring and evaluation systems design or use, public health information management

• Desirable: knowledge of Osmand, KoboCollect, ODK, RedCap, reference manager software (Zotero, Mendeley, etc.)

• Desirable: Scientific publications

Skills/Competencies

• Strategic thinking; Strong Leadership Skills; Proven People Management; Behavioural Flexibility; Commitment to MSF Principles; Result Oriented; Culturally Sensitive; Team player; Planning and Organization

• Ability to multitask including planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding and fast-paced environment

• Sound analytical and organizational skills

• Competency, knowledge and professional skills on public health infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response

• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with emphasis on writing skills

 Language

Essential: Proficiency in written and oral English 

Desirable: Amharic and other languages spoken in Ethiopia

How To Apply

If you are interested, please send your National ID , Cover letter & CV directly through THIS LINK

                                        Deadline: July 30, 2024. 

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please clearly write the location/duty base you are applying for. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender, marital status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief.  The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data.