Epidemiologist at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Report to (Hierarchical): Medical Coordinator
Report to (Functional): Medical Coordinator / Activity Manager / Medical Project Referent
Working Hours: 48 Hours per Week
Contract Duration: 3 (Three) Months Renewable
Level: 8

Main Purpose

• Assessing, implementing and maintaining the epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring (if needed) according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to contribute to appropriate evidence-based decision making using well managed health data in outbreak and emergency MSF programmes

Accountabilities

• Carrying out key epidemiological activities in outbreak investigation (description including time, place, 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 understanding of the need for consistent case definitions and data recording (briefing of all new staff)
• Monitoring and Implementing initial Assessment (for emergency situation), rapid health assessments and (baseline or follow-up) surveys. Where standard protocols are not available or appropriate, developing a protocol seeking extensive feedback and pilot testing of tools to ensure the objectives will be met robustly with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Preparing and adapting routine documentation (survey forms, training materials, letters of request/notification, locally appropriate consent forms etc.) with support of HQ epidemiologist. Preparing an appropriate sampling frame and sample selection guidelines with 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; analyzing 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.)
• Providing 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.

Experience:

• At least few years of tropical medicine experience (having assumed coordination position is a plus)
• Experience in Field Epidemiology

Languages:

• Mission language essential.

Knowledge:

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

Competencies:

• Results and Quality Orientation - L2
• Teamwork and Cooperation - L2
• Behavioural Flexibility - L2
• Commitment to MSF Principles - L2
• Stress Management - L3.

Salary
According to OCBA salary grid scale (National contract).