Epidemiologist at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Context

• Médecins Sans Frontières is a private, non-profit international humanitarian organization dedicated to providing medical assistance to populations in crisis, without discrimination and regardless of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

Main Purpose

• Carry out investigation, implement assessment and epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring (if needed) according to MSF protocols in order to contribute to appropriate evidence-based decision making using well managed health data in emergency MSF France programmes in Borno State.

Job Description

• Carry out key epidemiological activities in community based surveillance (mortality, malnutrition) and in outbreak investigation (description including time, place, people with emphasis on mapping when it is needed) and advise on the operational response
• Maintain and develop if required community based surveillance to monitor demography, mortality, malnutrition
• Monitor epidemiological trends of relevant outbreak-prone diseases
• Guide activities of medical staff and community staff for surveillance and/or active case finding, including ensuring understanding of the need for consistent case definitions and data recording (briefing of all new staff)
• Manage data systems and ensure accurate, high quality databases
• Prepare regular written reports on progress and findings for medical coordinator/HQ and when appropriate to external collaborators/networks (MoH, other NGOs)
• Implement initial Assessment (for emergency situation), rapid health assessment and (baseline or follow-up) surveys:
• Where standard protocols are not available or appropriate, develop a protocol seeking extensive feedback and pilot testing of tools to ensure the objectives will be met robustly with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Prepare / adapt routine documentation (survey forms, training materials, letters of request/notification, locally appropriate consent forms etc) with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Prepare an appropriate sampling frame and sample selection guidelines with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Hire, train and supervise survey staff, including ensuring staff exhibit required skills after training and pilot test
• Manage data systems and ensure accurate, high quality databases
• Analyze results and report on findings
• Implement/maintain relevant epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring
• Provide training sessions to medical teams on relevant aspects of epidemiology to enhance team response capacity

Requirements

Education:

• Medical doctor (preferable), or nurse with a degree in epidemiology (not in public health)

Experience:

• Experience in field epidemiology
• Experience in community based surveillance system

Languages:

• English fluent
• Asset, good command of one or more of the following: Hausa, Kanori, Shuwa, Arabic

Knowledge:

• Use of epidemiology related analytical software (excel, Epi-info, STATA or SPSS)

Competencies:

• People Management.
• Commitment
• Flexibility
• Reactivity
• Communication (oral and written)
• Results
• Teamwork

Work Location

• Position based in Maiduguri, with possible travel within Borno State

Contract

• 208 working hours per month and roster flexibility required.