Fixed term contract until 31 March 2025.
Mozambique faces several natural disasters due to climate change and Public Health Emergencies (PHE) due to emerging and re-emerging diseases, and epidemic -prone pathogens. These have an impact on both human and animal health , necessitating a One Health approach in prevention, detection and response. ADAPT (a programme for accelerating development against pandemic threats) will contribute to the USAID Global Health Security (GHS) programme objectives and support capacity strengthening and implementation of the government of Mozambique’s Global Health Security objectives. The goal of ADAPT is to provide rapid and immediate technical support during periods of heightened vulnerability caused by emerging and new acute infectious disease epidemics while building health system capacity increasing resilience and self-reliance. A key pillar is strengthening laboratory surveillance, detection and response. The appointment of a senior Epidemiology Technology Specialist seconded to the Institute of Public Health (INS) will provide important skills to support these objectives, and play a critical role in developing capacity within Mozambique .
Roles and Responsibilities:
· This person will work under the Head of Surveillance at the Institute of Public Health (INS), and in collaboration with Right to Care ADAPT Laboratory and Epidemiology Leads
· Provide support for the development of Laboratory Surveillance Systems for epidemic – prone pathogens, emerging diseases, and priority pathogens identified by the country .
· Provide capacity to enhance national and intermediate level data analysis and facilitate laboratory surveillance data evidence translation to decisions to coordinate the preparedness, detection, and response to infectious disease outbreaks, and public health emergencies.
· Coordinate laboratory surveillance data mapping, collecting, reviewing, and archiving of health and health- related data.
· Develop training plans and provide regular training on laboratory disease surveillance systems to the multidisciplinary staff of the INS and to Laboratory Surveillance Officers at the national, provincial and district levels.
· Write manuscripts, technical reports, policy briefs, situational reports, as needed.
· Mentor technicians and scientists in epidemiological surveillance, emergency and outbreak response and help to build capacity.
· Develop epidemiological bulletins and share laboratory surveillance data across sectors, as required by INS.
· Support other INS activities as needed.
Eligibility Requirements:
· Epidemiology degree at Masters level( PhD preferable)
· Experience working in an infectious diseases area(Epidemiology/ Laboratory/Clinical/Public Health )and demonstrated ability working in a public health setting with an understanding of priority diseases an outbreak – prone diseases will be a major advantage.
· A post -graduate qualification in Public Health will be an advantage
Desired skills and experiences:
· Ability to coordinate Laboratory Surveillance/Epidemiologic units/departments, data managers and data analytics.
· Ability in conceptualizing, devising and leading a national epidemiological/laboratory surveillance strategy.
· Ability to communicate, problem solve and develop standard operating procedures are key requirements.
· Demonstrated ability in advanced Epidemiology and quantitative science.
· Be able to use statistical software such as Stata, SPSS or R, dashboards, Power BI etc.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
· Excellent ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
· Working knowledge in Portuguese will be an advantage.
Right to Care is at the vanguard in supporting and delivering prevention, care, and treatment services for HIV and associated diseases. We work with government and communities to find pioneering solutions to build and strengthening public healthcare.
We embrace a strong entrepreneurial culture and focuses on innovation and the use of technology to enhance services, address skills shortages, and deliver quality healthcare outcomes. Our areas of expertise include HIV and TB care and treatment, pharmacy automation, medical male circumcision, and cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment.
