Ministry Of Health Zambia (MoH), CDC
JOB ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Job Title: Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDS) Epidemiologist
Reports to: Director – Surveillance and Disease Intelligence
Location: Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPH), Lusaka, Zambia
Job Purpose
The Vaccine Preventable Disease Epidemiologist will support surveillance strengthening for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) and capacity building for VPDs outbreak response. The primary responsibility for this position will be improving surveillance of VPDs in Zambia. These efforts will take place at the national, provincial, and district levels. The Epidemiologist will support the country in detecting and launching timely outbreak responses. Specific VPDs that this position will support will include: measles, acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)/polio, neonatal tetanus, yellow fever, rubella, and other diseases. Furthermore, the position will work with Ministry of Health (MOH) to strengthen immunization activities and vaccine coverage for VPDs in Zambia. Vaccine Preventable Disease Epidemiologist will be an important liaison between Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) and MOH Expanded Program on Immunizations (EPI), who oversee the vaccine program in the country.
Responsibilities/Principal Accountabilities
• Routinely review, analyze and interpret VPDs surveillance data to inform public health decision making
• Conduct data quality improvement activities and surveillance system analyses to improve VPD surveillance at all levels
• Coordinate capacity building through training and supportive supervision to enhance integrated surveillance of VPDs at all levels
• Monitoring and evaluating the country’s performance towards surveillance indicators (e.g., non-polio AFP rate, non-measles febrile rash illness, etc.)
• Coordinate with different health levels and partner agencies to enhance VPD surveillance system functioning and indicators, including syndromic surveillance, specimen collection, testing, results reporting, and public health follow-up
• Regularly disseminate findings from VPD surveillance systems to government officials for action and to inform disease intelligence in Zambia
• Coordinate environmental surveillance (ES) for polio and conduct review process to assess surveillance system performance
• Conduct operational research and epidemiologic studies to generate evidence on VPD’s for public health planning and policy
• During outbreaks of VPDs, participate in outbreak response teams
• Work with the MOH and partners to strengthen routine immunization (RI) static and outreach activities through improved coordination, provision of simplified vaccinator training, and focused management training as appropriate.
• Participate in introduction of any new or modified vaccine(s).
• Support special projects and other activities, as identified by the Director Surveillance and Disease Intelligence cluster at ZNPHI.
Qualifications
• Full Grade 12 School Certificate with five O level credits including English and Mathematics
• Bachelor’s Degree in Public health, Epidemiology, Infectious Disease or related field
• Master’s Degree or PhD in Public health, Epidemiology, Infectious Disease, or other health related field
• Intermediate to advanced ability using ≥1 statistical software (e.g., STATA, SAS, R, SPSS, etc.)
• Training and experience in IDSR, emergency preparedness, outbreak response, and/or disaster management
Experience and Skills
• Minimum of four (4) years working in epidemiology, public health, surveillance, or related field
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with VPDs and disease surveillance system design and implementation in Zambia
• 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
• Experience working with DHIS2 software
• Experience in capacity building on surveillance and epidemiological methods
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by experience working well on teams within varying areas of expertise to accomplish project objectives
• Comfort working independently with strong initiative and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multi-tasking/prioritizing work to meet deadlines, and demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
How to Apply
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 position 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, 18th January, 2023. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
The Permanent Secretary – (Technical Services)
Ministry of Health
Ndeke House
P.O. Box 30205
LUSAKA