Epidemiologist - Training
SDR 3,245 - 4,057 per monthPosted 2 weeks ago
Closes in 18 days
About the company
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947 and owned and governed by 27 country and territory members. It works across more than 25 sectors and is known for its knowledge and innovation in fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources. Its Public Health Division (PHD) employs around 42 staff based in Noumea and Suva and supports members in developing healthier Pacific Island people and communities through scientific and technical assistance.
About the role
This role will strengthen and contribute to public health surveillance, preparedness and response, and research across Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and the wider Pacific region. It works closely with Fiji National University and other stakeholders to deliver the Strengthening Health Interventions in the Pacific - Data for Decision Making (SHIP-DDM) programme, including forming relationships with member countries and partner agencies and leading capacity development plans for the programme's implementation. The position also supervises research activities under the SHIP-DDM programme, including the PGDAE course, and supports development of in-country capacity to analyse health data for decision making and policy development. It contributes to strengthening surveillance and response capacity at regional and national levels, including support during mass gatherings and emergency response to public health events. The contract runs for 3 years, subject to renewal depending on funding and performance, and the role may require travel of up to 30% of the time within the Pacific region and internationally.
Key responsibilities
- Form effective relationships with member countries and partner agencies in the implementation of the SHIP-DDM programme in the Pacific
- Lead in developing capacity development plans for the implementation of SHIP-DDM in coordination with PHD and SPC's programme activities and PICT priorities
- Support planning and scaling up training in field epidemiology including surveillance, outbreak investigations, and data use among PICT health professionals
- Contribute to an environment that fosters effective and harmonious working relationships
- Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of capacity development activities' implementation
- Provide technical inputs in the development of concept papers, protocols, and proposals
- Supervise the conduct of research activities as part of the output of the SHIP-DDM programme, including the PGDAE course
- Support the development and strengthening of in-country capacities in surveillance and response, including during mass gatherings and emergency response
About the successful candidate
- MBBS and a master's degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related discipline, or an equivalent body of knowledge and experience
- 10 years of experience in public health surveillance, including communicable and non-communicable disease surveillance
- Experience in outbreak preparedness and response
- Experience in the provision of capacity building or on-the-job training in field epidemiology
- Experience in operational research and writing scientific reports and papers
- Cross-cultural skills and ability to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds
- Highly developed oral and interpersonal communication skills
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written), with working knowledge of French an advantage