Purpose of the role
The Senior Technical Officer Biosafety and Biosecurity for Africa CDC will be responsible for carrying out a variety of technical and programme management support services in the area of laboratory systems strengthening, Biosafety and Biosecurity, specimen referral network and diagnostics network optimization. The Officer will collaborate with Africa CDC Regional Collaborating Centres (RCC) and National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) activities and programmes as well as ASLM and other partners.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is an autonomous health agency of the African Union established to support public health initiatives of Africa Union Member States (AU MS) and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions to detect, prevent, control, and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats. In 2019, Africa CDC launched the Africa CDC Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative whose goal is to strengthen the biosecurity and biosafety systems of African Union Member States to comply with international regulations including the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 and the GHSA action packages (APP3).
A position has risen within the Africa CDC Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative where the Senior Technical Officer – Biosafety and Biosecurity recruited by ASLM will be seconded to Africa CDC.
ASLM background
The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) is a pan-African professional body working to advocate for the critical role and needs of laboratory medicine and networks throughout Africa. Africa is rapidly growing but faces major health challenges including epidemics of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, and new priorities such as Ebola and other global health security threats. Strengthened laboratory capacity and surveillance in Africa are critical to overcoming the burden of disease and ensuring a healthy future for the continent. ASLM addresses these challenges by working collaboratively with governments, local and international organizations, implementing partners, and the private sector.
Africa CDC background
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) was officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 31, 2017. As Africa's first continent-wide public health agency, it aims to create a safer, healthier, integrated, and stronger Africa. The vision is for Member States to effectively respond to infectious disease outbreaks and other public health threats. The agency's mission is to enhance the capabilities of Africa’s public health institutions to swiftly and effectively detect and respond to disease outbreaks and other health challenges. This is achieved through a coordinated network of continent-wide preparedness and response, surveillance, laboratory, and research programs. Strengthening laboratory network systems and integrated disease surveillance are central to the Africa CDC's mandate.
