Epidemiologist – Infectious Diseases

Job Description

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and
agriculture.

The Public Health Division (PHD) supports member countries in attaining healthier Pacific Island people and communities by helping in public health surveillance, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCD) and support for clinical services. The primary areas of focus of the division are to provide scientific and technical assistance and support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goal for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, prevent disease and injury, restore, and/or maintain health and reduce inequalities in health. PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than individual treatment services as highlighted in the PHD Business Plan. The PHD is comprised of three programmes: Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme (SPRP), NCD Prevention and Control Programme (NCDPCP) and Clinical Services Programme (CSP).

The role – Epidemiologist – Infectious Diseases will strengthen public health surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, clinical case management and research in Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) and the Pacific region through strengthening reparedness
and response to infectious diseases health threats or outbreaks, strengthening capacity for coordinated regional surveillance of priority infectious diseases, enhancing evidence-based service delivery through research, strengthening clinical case management of infectious diseases and supporting team management, administration and communications.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Strengthening preparedness and response to infectious disease threats or outbreak

• Lead and coordinate SPRP’s support to PICTs during outbreaks and other public health threats or events.
• Contribute to the assessments of public health surveillance and control capacities in PICTs and the development and implementation of preparedness and response strategies/plans.
• Develop and provide advice and capacity building activities to PICTs in data collection and analysis, surveillance and outbreak investigations and response.
• Provide technical support in conjunction with the SPRP team for enhanced surveillance during mass gatherings and emergency response to public health events.
• Develop, adapt and implement PPHSN guidelines, recommendations and strategic framework for the surveillance and response to PPHSN target diseases.

Strengthening capacity for coordinated regional surveillance of priority infectious diseases

• Support multisource surveillance and the interpretation of epidemiological data to guide responses (National and Regional).
• Conduct risk assessments and situational analyses for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases.
• Lead in the assessments of public health surveillance and outbreak control capacities in PICTs.
• Support the planning and delivery of trainings in field epidemiology including SHIP-DDM and core Public Health functions to PICT health professionals.
• Support the plan and build capacity in the conduct of operational research (OR) studies among PICT health professionals.

Enhancing evidence-based service delivery through research

• Consult with crosscutting technical bodies within PHD and SPC to support the identified public health priorities in the SHIP-DDM course and develop joint approaches for action.
• Supervise the conduct of research activities as part of the output of the SHIP-DDM training programme.
• Document the results of research studies, and findings presented in appropriate medium and forum.

Strengthening clinical case management of infectious diseases

• Provide up-to-date evidence-based technical guidance and advice on infectious diseases to PICTs.
• Implement clinical case management including during infectious disease outbreaks.
• Lead in capacity building activities to strengthen clinical case management of infectious diseases.
• Support the set-up and coordination of Community of Practice (CoP) on clinal management of priority PPHSN outbreak-prone diseases.

Supporting team management, administration and communication

• Contribute to an environment that fosters effective and harmonious working relationships.
• Effectively form collaboration and partnership within PHD and other SPC divisions, with PICTS and partner agencies to implement SPRP and PPHSN activities.
• Provide technical input in the development of concept papers, protocols, and proposals.
• Contribute to programme, divisional and corporate meetings, annual work plans, publications, reports and assisting team leader as required.
• Contribute to management, monitoring and reporting on utilization of funds.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• MBBS andmaster’s degree in a relevant field such as public health, infectious diseases, epidemiology, internal medicine or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• 10 years of experience in public health and clinical management of infectious diseases.
• Demonstrated experience in public health surveillance and outbreak preparedness and response, preferably in the Pacific or in low resource
  settings.
• Experience working with governments, international health organisations, or NGOs in the Pacific region.
• Experience in operational research and drafting scientific reports and papers.
• Ability to travel frequently (up to 30% of the time) domestically, in the Pacific region and international.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 16 December 2028 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Epidemiologist – Infectious Diseases is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale.

For a Noumea based position – a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 4,397-5,400 per month, which converts to approximately XPF
642,655-789,288 (USD 5,848-7,182; EUR 5,385-6,614).SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

For a Suva based position – a starting salary range of 3,245‒4,057 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately
FJD 9,768–12,211 (USD 4,316–5,395; EUR 3,975–4,969). Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and
qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Noumea or Suva – SPC provides housing support in Noumea or Suva. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles - SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 26 October 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000121

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any
guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner
will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. Describe your experience in managing infectious disease outbreaks and lessons learnt.

2. Describe your experience in designing training materials, developing training curriculum and in conducting an epidemiology-training course.

3. How would you strengthen operational/implementation research capacity in the Pacific islands and territories and describe relevant practical experience?

About the Organization

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

More information