Public Health Specialist, Surveillance at the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria comprises of the Embassy in Abuja, FCT, and the Consulate General in Lagos. U.S. Consulate General Lagos is the Mission’s representative to the Nigerian people in the southern region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Public Health Specialist, Surveillance – All Interested Candidates (DGHP)

Announcement Number: Abuja-2021-044
Location: Abuja
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja
Series / Grade: LE – 0550 11
Work Schedule: Full-time – 40 hours per week
Promotion Potential:  LE-11

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:
  • For USEFM – FP is 4.  Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
  • All Interested Applicants / All Sources
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust – Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Term appt, NTE 2 yrs
• Appointment Type Details: Definite not to Exceed 2 years

Summary

• The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 hours per week)
• Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (6 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
• Travel Required: 25% or less (Incumbent will perform work related travel)

Duties

• This position is the Senior Advisor and Specialist responsible for activities related to the implementation of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), specifically for disease surveillance activities funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act and are deemed to be of priority to the Government of Nigeria and the CDC-Nigeria Office.
• The incumbent under the leadership and direct supervision of the Division of Global Health Protection Program Director, will work closely with CDC colleagues and provide technical guidance and  expertise to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and other participating partners in the design, implementation and strengthening of surveillance activities funded through the CARES Act.
• The incumbent will interface with all levels of NGO and cooperative partners, and medical personnel for the purpose of developing and maintaining highly functional health information and surveillance systems.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements
Education Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Demography or Behavioral Science is required.

Experience:

• Five years’ experience in public health surveys and disease surveillance is required. Also required is experience in the control of priority infectious diseases at the local, state or international levels that entailed responsibility for the evaluation of program activities.
• Experience in the use of measurement methods required for required for M&E, surveys / surveillance or strategic information of populations and health programs, including quantitative and qualitative research is required.
• Experience must include two years of management experience.

Job Knowledge:

• Detailed knowledge of research methods and the collection, analysis and presentation of public health / epidemiologic data in order to plan, design, direct the implementation of and strengthen procedures for collection, analysis and dissemination of epidemiological data is required.
• This includes knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of USG and internationally recognized standards for surveillance and survey regulations and procedures.
• Detailed knowledge of the host government health care system and structures including familiarity with Ministry of Health policies, program priorities and regulations is required.
• Good working knowledge of team management techniques to plan, organize and direct multi-disciplinary project teams and activities is required.
• Good working knowledge of overall administrative requirements in development and support of grants, contracts, memoranda of understanding and cooperative agreements is required.

Evaluations:

• Language:  Advanced fluency in speaking/reading/writing of English is required. This may be tested.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills to readily understand and discuss new surveillance program design, management, and implementation approaches are required. This includes the development of evaluation designs, use of reliable and valid instruments, and methods for data collection, analysis and reports.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills are required to develop and maintain effective, sustainable working relationships with national and international working partners and to prepare substantive and analytical reporting.
• Strong management skills are required to operate independently with limited direct supervision of day-to-day activities and to lead results-driven project teams and workgroups.
• Experience in the setting of computer software development standards, specifications and guidelines as well as experience working within already set standards to implement IT solutions is required.
• The incumbent will be expected to exercise tact in applying guidelines to unique and different public health surveillance activities, as surveillance programs and surveys are highly complex and can be threatening to stakeholders.
• Excellent overall computer skills (keyboarding with both speed and accuracy) and advanced skill levels in use of at least one of the more common epidemiologic data analysis software (EPINFO, STATA, SAS, or SPSS) is required.
• Excellent numerical skills for manipulating and reporting statistical data is required.
• Ability to persuade others, ingenuity and innovation will be required to influence collaborative organizations engaged in disease prevention and control to adopt appropriate strategies for improving the surveillance and survey process

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):

• The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Qualifications:

• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits
Agency Benefits:

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Abuja, Nigeria may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
• For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
• The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

Other Information:

• Hiring Preference Selection Process:  Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

Hiring Preference Order:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

Important

• Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification.  A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant.
• The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
• ** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
• For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

Marketing Statement:

• We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Salary
NGN 15,890,203 – USD $58,767 Annually.

Deadline: 19th April, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Notice

• All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust clearance.
• To apply for this position click the “Submit Application” button.  For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.

Required Documents
In order to qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested diploma and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this position.

• Residency and/or Work Permit (if applicable)
• Degree (not transcript)
• NYSC Certificate
• Certificate or License
• For EFMs, in addition to the above:
• Copy of Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)

Next Steps:

• Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
• For further information – the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
• Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Abuja, Nigeria.
• For More Info: HR Section 000-000-0000 HRNigeria@state.gov