The Ministry of Health (MOH) Cooperative Agreement supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aims at supporting the Strengthening of the Ministry’s capacity to provide Leadership to the National HIV/AIDS Response through coordination, policy development, mentorship and training. MOH seeks to recruit suitably qualified and experienced persons to be appointed to the under listed positions under this project.
Reports to: Director- Surveillance and Disease Intelligence, ZNPHI
Location: Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola and Chinsali
Job Purpose:
To strengthen disease surveillance, primarily focusing on Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and pan-respiratory diseases surveillance systems (PRDS). Through surveillance strengthening activities, the Field Epidemiologists will provide leadership at provincial, district, and health facility levels through technical assistance, stakeholder coordination, health worker capacity building, and policy development. They will also serve as a link between national level (ZNPHI) and sub-national levels.
Responsibilities/Principal Accountabilities
Routinely review, analyze and interpret surveillance data to inform public health decision making
• Conduct data quality improvement activities and surveillance system analyses to improve surveillance at provincial and district levels.
• Provide technical expertise to guide implementation of IDSR at all levels.
• Support implementation of sentinel surveillance for respiratory diseases in the PRDS
• Provide technical expertise to guide implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005). Provide technical support to investigate public health alerts/events, conduct field assessments/investigations and implement surveillance where indicated.
• Support outbreak responses under auspices of provincial rapid response teams (RRTS).
• Support drafting surveillance guidelines and protocols for public health problems in Zambia.
Conduct operational research and epidemiologic studies to generate evidence for public health planning and policy.
• Coordinate capacity building through training and supportive supervision to enhance integrated surveillance in Zambia.
• Develops appropriate training plans for building core surveillance capacities in accordance with the requirement for IHR 2005.
• Strengthen systems to move biological specimens transport from the field (health facilities) to testing laboratories.
• Supports expansion and monitoring and evaluation of electronic surveillance system platforms (e.g.. elDSR).
• Regularly disseminate findings from surveillance data to government officials for action and to inform disease intelligence in Zambia, including contributing to situational and technical reports.
• Provides technical support in annual planning and preparing surveillance and response plans.
• Perform other incident specific related duties, as required by the immediate supervisor and/or Director of Surveillance Disease Intelligence cluster at ZNPHI
Qualifications
- Grade Twelve (12) School Certificate with Five (5) Credits or better including Mathematics and English
- Bachelor’s Degree in Epidemiology, Public Health infectious diseases or other related health field AMaster’s Degree or PhD in epidemiology, public health, infectious diseases or other related health field Experience and skills
- Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in quantitative epidemiology and the implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response in humanitarian settings, and/or implementation IDSR Intermediate to advanced ability using 1 statistical software (eg, STATA, SAS, R, SPSS, etc.)
- Training in Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)
- Training and experience in IDSR, emergency preparedness, outbreak response, and/or disaster management
- Experience working with DHIS2 software
- Experience working with international organizations and/or international assignments
- Proven knowledge and skills in epidemiology, surveillance methods, and data reporting, management. and analysis
- Broad knowledge, skills, and abilities with data collection and data reporting systems in Zambia Experience preparing survey and surveillance protocols, technical reports, and scientific manuscripts
- Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control Experience working with DHIS2 software
- Experience in capacity building on surveillance and epidemiological methods
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural environment with tact and diplomacy
- Experience working well on teams within varying areas of expertise to accomplish project objectives
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multi-tasking/prioritizing work to meet deadlines, and demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision
All interested persons meeting the above qualifications and experience should send their written applications to the undersigned with certified copies of their National Registration Card, academic and professional qualifications and a detailed Curriculum Vitae with three references including their contact numbers.
Applicants are advised to clearly indicate the positions they are applying for on the envelope or subject area in the case of electronic applications email to info@moh.gov.zm.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday, 18 January, 2023. Only short- listed candidates will be contacted.
The Permanent Secretary-(Technical Services) Ministry of Health
Ndeke House
P.O. Box 30205
LUSAKA
