Epidemiologist Needed at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid in more than 60 countries to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters or exclusion from healthcare.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Epidemiologist
Reference No. MS059
Location: Abuja (80% Travelling To The Field)
Working Hours:  Mon – Fri 8am to 5.30pm
Grade Level:  8
Reports to (Hierarchical): Medical Coordinator (if Mission scope)/ Project Coordinator or Activity Manager (if Project scope)
Reports to (Functional): Medical Coordinator / Activity Manager / Medical Project Referent
Job Family: Medical

Education

• Medical Doctor (preferable), nurse or biomedical background with a Degree in epidemiology (not in public health)

Main Purpose

• Carry out investigation, implement assessment and epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring (if needed) according to MSF protocols in order to contribute to appropriate evidence-based decision making using well managed health data in outbreak and emergency MSF programmes.

Accountabilities:

• Carry out key epidemiological activities in outbreak investigation (description including time, place, people with emphasis on mapping when it is needed) and advise on the operational response.
• Supervise epidemiological activities in community-based surveillance (mortality, malnutrition),in outbreak investigations (description including person, place and time with emphasis on mapping when needed) and advise on operational response.
• Monitor data quality in the data collection tools used through follow up with appropriate staff on missing, erroneous and duplicate data, correcting data errors in a timely manner, and liaising with staff to ensure data integrity is maintained.
• Develop and maintain community-based and hospital-based surveillance systems to monitor health status of beneficiaries.
• Monitor epidemiological trends of relevant outbreak-prone diseases.
• Guide activities of medical staff and community staff for surveillance and/or active case finding, including ensuring understanding of the need for consistent case definitions and data recording (briefing of all new staff).
• Develop and maintain accurate and high quality data systems/databases.
• Performs quantitative data analysis using descriptive, statistical and spatial methodologies and computerized statistical software,
• Prepare regular written reports on progress and findings for medical coordinator, and when appropriate to external collaborators/networks (MoH, other NGOs).
• Conduct initial assessments (for emergency situations), rapid health assessments and (baseline or follow-up) surveys to inform appropriate response.
• Where standard protocols are not available or appropriate, develop a protocol seeking extensive feedback and pilot testing of robust tools to ensure the objectives will be met with support of HQ epidemiologist.
• Prepare / adapt routine documentation (survey forms, training materials, letters of request/notification, locally appropriate consent forms etc) with support of HQ epidemiologist.
• Prepare an appropriate sampling frame and sample selection guidelines with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Hire, train and supervise survey staff, including ensuring staff exhibit required skills after training and pilot test.
• Analyze results and report on findings
• Manage data systems and ensure accurate, high quality databases
• Analyze results and report on findings
• Implement/maintain relevant epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring
• Provide training sessions to medical teams on relevant aspects of epidemiology to enhance team response capacity

Experience

• At least few years of tropical medicine experience (having assumed coordination position is a plus)
• Experience in field epidemiology

Languages:

• Mission working language essential

Knowledge:

• Use of epidemiology related analytical software (excel, Epi-info, STATA or SPSS)

Competencies:

• People Management.
• Commitment
• Flexibility
• Results
• Teamwork

Other Required Skills

• English spoken and written.
• Good computer skills (excel, word, outlook is an advantage).
• Capacity to work as a team, respectful and good working attitude.
• Organization and planning skills, initiative and proactive.
• Committed to humanitarian principles.
• Due to the nature of MSF operations, flexibility is indispensable and unavoidable.
• Committed to humanitarian principles.
• Sensitive and respectful of religious and cultural differences:
• Identification with Humanitarian, Cross Cultural Awareness, Self-Control, Quality and Results Orientation, Commitment, Stress Management

Salary 

• As per the MSF salary scale (national contract)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV’s and motivation letters either by email to: msfe-abuja-recruitment@barcelona.msf.org
Or
In person to: