Epidemiologist at Medecins Sans Frontieres

(Reference No. MS059)

Place of Work: Abuja (80% Travelling To The Field)

Working Hours:  Mon – Fri 8am to 5.30pm

Salary:   As per the MSF salary scale (national contract)

Grade Level:  8

Position in the Organization

Reports to (Hierarchical): Medical Coordinator (if Mission scope)/ Project Coordinator or Activity Manager (if Project scope)

Reports to (Functional): Medical Coordinator / Activity Manager / Medical Project Referent

Job Family: Medical

Supervises (Function):

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 outbreak and emergency MSF programmes

Accountabilities

• Carry out key epidemiological activities in outbreak investigation (description including time, place, people with emphasis on mapping when it is needed) and advise on the operational response
• Supervise epidemiological activities in community-based surveillance (mortality, malnutrition),in outbreak investigations (description including person, place and time with emphasis on mapping when needed) and advise on operational response.
• Monitor data quality in the data collection tools used through follow up with appropriate staff on missing, erroneous and duplicate data, correcting data errors in a timely manner, and liaising with staff to ensure data integrity is maintained.
• Develop and maintain community-based and hospital-based surveillance systems to monitor health status of beneficiaries.
• 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).
• Develop and maintain accurate and high quality data systems/databases.
• Performs quantitative data analysis using descriptive, statistical and spatial methodologies and computerized statistical software,
• Prepare regular written reports on progress and findings for medical coordinator, and when appropriate to external collaborators/networks (MoH, other NGOs).
• Conduct initial assessments (for emergency situations), rapid health assessments and (baseline or follow-up) surveys to inform appropriate response.
• Where standard protocols are not available or appropriate, develop a protocol seeking extensive feedback and pilot testing of robust tools to ensure the objectives will be met 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.
• Analyze results and report on findings
• 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), nurse or biomedical background with a degree in epidemiology (not in public health)

Experience
At least few years of tropical medicine experience (having assumed coordination position is a plus)
Experience in field epidemiology

Languages
Mission working language essential

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

Competencies

• People Management.
• Commitment
• Flexibility
• Results
• Teamwork

Other Required Skills

• English spoken and written.
• Good computer skills (excel, word, outlook is an advantage).
• Capacity to work as a team, respectful and good working attitude.
• Organization and planning skills, initiative and proactive.
• Committed to humanitarian principles.
• Due to the nature of MSF operations, flexibility is indispensable and unavoidable.
• Committed to humanitarian principles.
• Sensitive and respectful of religious and cultural differences:
• Identification with Humanitarian, Cross Cultural Awareness, Self-Control, Quality and Results Orientation, Commitment, Stress Management