Genomic Surveillance Specialist FHI 360

Title: Genomic Surveillance Specialist

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

Overview

The CDC Enhancing Global Health Security (EGHS) project is a global mechanism that supports Global Health Security Agenda goals through programs and activities focused on protecting and improving health security at country and regional levels. Core priorities include strengthened laboratory and surveillance systems, public health workforce, emergency operations and capacity to implement the International Health Regulations.

The primary function of this position is to provide technical assistance to recipients of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism (GFATM C19RM) to strengthen national surveillance systems and drive strategies to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks.

Technical Responsibilities:

Collaborates with health officials, national and regional institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international donors to, facilitate implementation of the Zambia COVID genomic surveillance strategy.
Serves as point person for EGHS work in country including leading planning, development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of project surveillance support activities.
Provides technical assistance to the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) to implement surveillance activities, in coordination with APHL.
Identifies challenges and develops strategies for effective implementation of the Zambia COVID genomic surveillance strategy.
Provides support to review and update bioinformatics infrastructure to enable ZNPHI to serve as the “bioinformatics nerve center” coordinating the 5-lab genomics sequencing consortium including primary COVID-19 genomics sequencing C19RM recipient, CHAZ
Provides technical assistance to strengthen national expertise to manage COVID-19 sequencing metadata, and sequence information, and prepare the data for dissemination within Zambia and for reporting to WHO.
Represents the project on national technical working groups, as appropriate, and maintains contacts with other organizations engaged in GHSA activities.
Coordinates with EGHS team in other countries to ensure commonalities and experience sharing within the project and across countries
Contributes to the preparation of required reports.
Applied Knowledge and Skills

In-depth knowledge of and experience in national/regional infectious disease surveillance, especially molecular epidemiology.
Demonstrated experience implementing genomic surveillance methodology including analysis of molecular epidemiologic investigation data
Awareness of the mechanisms and strategies that are being deployed under the Global Health Security Agenda and other similar mechanisms to combat emerging infectious disease threats.
Sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.
Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.
Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
Ability to network and collaborate with others in a sophisticated multi-partner context.
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.
Education and Experience

Master’s degree or international equivalent in medicine, public health, or related field
At least 6 years of relevant experience in infectious disease surveillance.
Demonstrated experience implementing field-based surveillance methodology including analysis of molecular epidemiologic investigation data
Demonstrated report writing and presentation skills
Experience working effectively with government counterparts at national and regional levels.
Proven interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
Experience collaborating on projects and coordinating efforts with other program staff, other international health agencies, and private and non-profit organizations
Authorized to work in country
Typical Physical Demands

Typical office environment
Ability to spend long hours looking at a 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, Microsoft Office (Office 365, SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Skype/Zoom/Teams, cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
Proficient in data analysis software such Epi-Info and/or SPSS and/or R and/or SAS

Travel

Up to 25% within the country
Language Requirements

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

The closing date for applications is 28 September,2022

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.