Epidemiologist at Medecins Sans Frontieres

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 programs.

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
• Follow up, monitor and provide result interpretation of community-based nutrition and mortality surveillance system in the projects where implemented.
• Support implementation of remote surveillance system in Jakusko.
• Follow up on reported cases of communicable diseases and conduct analysis of the data to support early detection and to help inform appropriate response.
• Monitor epidemiological trends of relevant outbreak-prone diseases (e.g. meningitis, measles, cholera etc), and provide appropriate technical advice and   support to the PMRs .
• Follow up and harmonize project’s Health Information System (HIS) and support analysis of this data.
• Monitor data quality in data collection tools used (HIS) through follow up with appropriate staff on missing, erroneous and duplicate data, correcting data errors in a timely manner, and liaising/training with staff to ensure data integrity is maintained.
• Ensure timely reporting for monthly and quarterly indicators.
• Support preparation for Health Management Information System (HMIS) implementation with the support of the HMIS department in HQ.
• Support and manage surveillance data tools when requested Provide  technical  support  to  field  team  in  building  capacity regarding surveillance for  meningitis  outbreak  preparedness.
• Update the medical dashboard to support programme improvement, and sharing with the medical coordinator on a weekly basis.
• Ensure external data management tools (e.g MOH, Nut 5W cluster) are updated with weekly and monthly data for external sharing purposes.
• Ensure regular reporting on progress, challenges and findings at medical meetings or coordination meetings if applicable.
• Support emergency team on analysis of the data during/after exploratory missions if relevant.
• Participate in relevant team, inter-sectional and inter-agency/ governmental meetings if requested by medical coordinator
• Being  flexible to  any  other  task to be carried  out asked  by  the  supervisor  according to the  mission need.

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

• Commitment to MSF’s Principles
• Cross-cultural Awareness
• Behavioral Flexibility
• Stress Management
• Results and Quality Orientation
• Service Orientation
• Initiative and Innovation
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• People Management and Development.

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, Commment, Stress Management.