Technical Advisor for Surveillance and Epidemiology

Job Description

The GHS Technical Advisor for Surveillance and Epidemiology funded by the CDC Division of Global Health Protection (DGHP) will support CDC Namibia in providing technical assistance, support and training to the Namibia government to enhance and build the epidemiologic and surveillance capacity of the government’s workforce and systems in order to detect, characterize and transparently report emerging biological threats at the earliest possible moment. Support will primarily be focused on improving the accurate and rapid collection, interpretation, identification and dissemination of information of emerging and reemerging diseases in accordance with the overall operational objectives of the CDC Global Health Security Agenda within the Division of Global Health Protection (DGHP) and in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005 (IHR). In addition to supporting DGHP Namibia program activities involving surveillance and epidemiology and providing technical input into the analysis, interpretation, and use of surveillance data for policy making, the contractor will support the CDC Namibia surveillance team in training public health leaders in the use of epidemiological surveillance. Training services will include providing mentorship services to four senior level selectees for the existing CDC funded Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) on related surveillance projects. This service position requires working closely with CDC funded Government partners, including the Namibia Ministry of Health (MOH) and the related public health institutes to implement projects supporting the development of surveillance systems.

The Technical Advisor for Surveillance and Epidemiology will provide overall expert support to CDC Namibia and the Government of Namibia for surveillance and epidemiologic activities in alignment with the CDC DGHP Global Health Security activities focused on enhancing and building the epidemiologic and surveillance capacity of the government’s workforce and systems to detect, characterize and transparently report emerging biological threats at the earliest possible moment. In performance of this task order, s/he shall:

• Assess the current capacity for surveillance in Namibia in collaboration with the CDC Namibia Surveillance and Lab teams and the Government of Namibia.
• Prepare and submit a Summary Assessment report which includes identifying areas and recommendations for improvements and general steps to move forward on enhancements.
• Develop a strategic work plan for surveillance capacity strengthening, working in collaboration with CDC Namibia Surveillance and Lab team and corresponding experts at the Namibia MOH.
• Collaborate with the CDC Namibia in supporting the MOH’s efforts to:
• Develop and expand sentinel surveillance for high-priority disease syndromes.
• Improve the event detection surveillance system for outbreak detection to, incorporate information streams from laboratories, clinicians, clinical care facilities, the media, communities and other sources.
• Develop standard operating procedures and reporting mechanisms for the surveillance system.
• Develop systems for the analysis, interpretation, and use of surveillance data for public health policy making.
• Identify specific requirements for an information management system and assist in the recruitment and oversight of information systems advisors.
• Provide technical guidance to CDC Namibia in monitoring the progress and quality of program activities, providing additional technical support as needed.
• Assist CDC Namibia in developing and providing teaching workshops for Namibia Government staff and mentoring fellows in the Field Epidemiology Training Program in surveillance related projects.
• Coordinate and facilitate meetings sponsored by DGHP, Namibia, writing progress reports, and assistance in providing development recommendations for funding applications.
• Prepares input for reports, slides, and other materials as required.

• Doctorate degree (MD or PhD) with post-graduate training in field epidemiology.
• Master’s level degree in epidemiology.
• Five years post-graduate work in public health, public programs or related area.
• At least three years international experience with progressive responsibility in Surveillance, Epidemiology.
• Ability to effectively communicate in English on a daily basis with various groups (Speaking, Reading and Writing).

About the Organization

CAMRIS International is an international development and research firm that realizes innovative solutions to health and development challenges through high-quality, cost-effective program and research management services. With experience working in more than 80 countries, we combine our proven systems with today’s most effective, evidence-based best practices to improve the lives of people around the world. We apply a customized, customer-centric, cost-effective business approach to offer greater value to our clients and challenge the way things have always been done in our field.

CAMRIS clients include U.S. government agencies and multilateral and private organizations. Our core practice areas include public health, agriculture and food security, economic development, education, environment, humanitarian assistance, democracy and governance, and medical research.

CAMRIS International is seeking a Technical Advisor for Surveillance and Epidemiology to provide technical assistance and support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its efforts to transition programs and support to ensure that Namibia has the country-specific data, technical capacity, human resources, and coordinating mechanisms required to manage its HIV/AIDS response; and to build the capacity of the Government of Namibia to respond to public health emergencies and assure the country can effectively and rapidly detect and respond to global infectious disease threats and related public health security challenges.

Note: This position is contingent on contract award.

Background and Need

The mission of the HHS/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to promote the health and quality of life of people by preventing and controlling disease, injury and disability; and to protect Americans both domestic and abroad, by shielding them from health threats via international prevention, detection and response networks. CDC, through its Center for Global Health (CGH) is in a unique position to bring its scientific expertise and credibility to advance the global initiatives of the United States Government (USG) to save lives, reduce suffering, and support the health and dignity of people around the world. The key elements of CDC’s global health strategy are to:

• Assist Ministries of Health to plan and implement evidence based public health programs.
• Achieve the goals adopted by the USG and international organizations to improve health, including disease eradication and elimination targets.
• Expand CDC’s global health programs that focus on the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability, especially chronic disease and injuries.
• Generate and apply scientific knowledge to achieve health goals.
• Strengthen health systems and their impact.