Epidemiologist at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main Purpose

Assessing, implementing, and maintaining epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring according to MSF protocols, standards, and procedures, to contribute to evidence-based decision-making, using well-managed health data in the outbreak and emergency MSF programs

Accountabilities

Main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Carrying out key epidemiological activities in outbreak investigation (description including time, place, and people with emphasis on mapping when it is needed) and advising on the operational response
• Implementing and maintaining a surveillance system to monitor epidemiological trends of relevant outbreak-prone diseases. Guiding activities of medical staff for surveillance and/or active case finding, including ensuring the use of consistent case definitions and data recording (briefing of all new staff)
• Monitoring and implementing initial assessment (for the emergency situation), rapid health assessments, and (baseline or follow-up) surveys. Where standard protocols are not available or appropriate, developing a protocol and pilot testing of tools to ensure objectives will be met with the support of HQ epidemiologist
• Preparing and adapting routine documentation (survey forms, training materials, letters of request/notification, locally appropriate consent forms, etc.). Preparing an appropriate sampling frame and sample selection guidelines, with the support of HQ epidemiologist
• Planning and supervising the associated HR processes of the staff under his/her responsibility (recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development, and communication) and ensuring that staff exhibits required skills after training and pilot test
• Managing data systems and ensuring accurate, high-quality databases; analysing results and preparing regular written reports on progress and findings for medical coordinator/HQ and when appropriate to external collaborators/networks (MoH, other NGOs, etc.)
• Provide training sessions to medical teams on epidemiologic aspects to enhance team response capacity

Job Requirements

Education:

• Medical Doctor (preferable), Biomedical background with a Degree in Epidemiology. MBBS/BSc Biomedical Science

Experience:

• At least 2 years relevant professional experience including at least 1 years’ relevant experience with MSF or other NGOs.
• At least a few years of tropical medicine experience (having assumed a coordination position is a plus)
• Experience in field epidemiology

Languages:

• Fluency in English Essential and any local language desirable

Competences/Skills:

• Literacy in Microsoft Packages (Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet), Commitment, flexibility, result and quality oriented, teamwork and stress management skills are essential
• Use of epidemiology-related analytical software (excel, Epi-info, STATA or SPSS)