MOBR Capacity Development Consultant at African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)

Background 

• The Nigeria Measles Outbreak Response (MOBR) Capacity Development project was initiated in the second half of 2022 through funds CDC awarded to AFENET to ensure that measles outbreak response actions are implemented effectively in Nigeria.
• The work has been supporting the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the lead agency, and in concert with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), WHO, UNICEF, and United States Centers for Disease Control (US CDC).
• African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) seeks to engage an MOBR Capacity Development Consultant based in NCDC to provide technical assistance to ensure that the MOBR Capacity Development resources are well allocated and are being effectively implemented and monitored to strengthen MOBR Capacity. 
• The consultant will work under the supervision of the Head of surveillance and Epidemiology at NCDC and will work closely with the AFENET Measles Focal Point in the conduct of his/her day-to-day duties.
• The consultant will be supervised by the Head of surveillance and Epidemiology at NCDC, the National Coordinator, NSTOP/AFENET and the measles team lead at U.S. CDC. All reports and timesheets would be approved by NCDC, AFENET and US CDC.  

Specific Deliverables 

• Strengthen the capacity for MOBR through strategic resource mapping and resource mobilization activities. 
• Prepare guidelines, tools, platforms, checklists, and SOPs required for MOBR at all levels. 
• Work on development and implementation of MOBR preparedness checklists for each MOBR component for each administrative level. 
• Create national level comprehensive MOBR visual aids library, case studies, and outbreak database. 
• Customize or develop MOBR Root Cause analysis guidelines and tools according to the needs of the national and subnational levels. 
• Pilot the MOBR training materials, root cause analysis guideline, readiness assessment checklist, and facility readiness assessment checklist in selected states, LGAs, health facilities, and communities.   
•  Present and submit the draft training materials and tools for piloting within two months and the final training materials and curriculum within 4 months. 
• Support in Cascading of the MOBR Training to the LGA and health facility levels in selected states. 
• Strengthen MOBR capacity and systems at all levels through standardization of tools and guidelines and integration to different programs.  
• Develop MOBR supportive supervision framework to integrate into supportive supervision at all levels. 
• Any other responsibility assigned by your supervisors and/or funders in line with the overall goal of MOBR Capacity Development in the country. 
• Support NCDC to organize workshops for training of participants on the use of developed tools, guidelines etc. 

Qualifications

Certifications, license, or other expertise required:

Education: Pre-requisite:  

• Master's Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Veterinary Epidemiology, or related field. 
• First Degree in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, or related field 
• Desired: Post-graduate training through a field epidemiology training program or the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is desired.  
• At least 5 years of field experience in vaccine preventable disease and Nigeria field experience.

Knowledge Requirements:

• Language proficiency in English Knowledge of Hausa is an added advantage.
• Job knowledge: strong technical knowledge in public health, epidemiology, routine immunization, SIAs, disease outbreak investigation, data collection and management and data analysis. 

Skills and Abilities:

• Skills in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Access; demonstrated strong analytical skills; ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing; ability to engage in successful interaction; extensive contact with members of national and local partner organizations (WHO, UNICEF, Ministries of Health).