Epidemology Activity Manager at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Accountabilities / Responsibilities (Non-Exhaustive List)

• Defining, scheduling and organizing, in close collaboration with other medical team members, the annual epidemiological activity plan as well as its associated budget, in order to improve early detection of risk factors to better define treatment approaches and preventive practices. Leading the implementation of the protocols and epidemiological methodology, ensuring all related staff follows them in order to improve research efficiency.
• Supervising, according to annual plan, the epidemiological research activity ensuring that contacts with community groups and authorities are aligned with the objectives of the research and that the population participating in the research is properly informed. Reporting on the progress of data collection, on ongoing analysis of research or on any issue causing delay, in order to achieve epidemiological goals on time.
• Advising the MSF medical team on epidemiological matters that arise in the course of their activity research, and when necessary, designing and implementing epidemiological tools and data collection to meet new epidemiological needs.
• Ensuring, in coordination with logistics department, that national or international shipment of laboratory samples acquired for research purposes is done within datelines and according to protocols, following security rules and keeping conditions needed for the sample.
• Supervising data filing procedures, ensuring that all epidemiology software tools are properly used and are updated regularly, in order to ensure full data traceability and availability.
• Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department and the MSF vision, policies and values, the associated processes (job description, recruitment, training, performance evaluation, development and internal/external communication) of the epidemiological staff in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required, to improve staff technical capabilities, contribution and commitment to MSF values.
• Supervising, in close coordination with the Logistic Manager that research equipment and materials are properly maintained and stock level is above minimum point in order to ensure availability and research activity continuity.
• Participating in operational monthly reports and organizing and/or assisting medical staff in preparing epidemiological reports related to health facilities and to researched areas.
• Serve as technical lead for all epidemiological and operational research questions for Nigeria mission.
• Provides technical support for all field epidemiology (surveys, surveillance, outbreak investigations and follow-up)
• Supports data managers and epidemiologist in their day-to-day tasks, identifies training and supports needs, including direct support through the field visits when necessary.
• Support DHIS team in analysing medical data.
• Support the improving of community-based surveillance at project level.
• Ensures good communication and collaboration between epidemiology network in Nigeria (intersection and with state epidemiologist) in order to mutualize the field epidemiology work in the country, particularly surveillance.
• Analyze surveillance data and support data-driven decision-making at country level
• Contribute to all aspects of early detection of acute public health events at country level .
• Support the network of contacts and functional relationships at contry level for the detection, verification and follow-up of epidemiological events
• Develop and/or update a database of historical events reported in the contry to facilitate access, retrieval and analysis of data and information required for risk assessment.
• Under the lead of medical coordinator,participates in external communication when relevant by preparing scientific articles for publication or presenting findings at scientific conferences.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Education: Medical Doctor required. Specialization or training in tropical diseases is desirable.
• Master's in Epidemiology or Biostatistics or Public Health with extensive training in statistics and epidemiology is required.
• Experience: Working experience with MSF or other NGO is desirable.
• Languages: English and French.
• Knowledge: Computer proficiency in MS Word, advance excel, internet, etc.
• Proven skills in data management and analysis with R or Python.
• Proven skills in DHIS2 use.
• Competencies: people management and Development, Commitment to MSF principles, Behavioral flexibility, Result and quality orientation, Teamwork and Cooperation.

Remuneration

• According to the MSFW salary scale (Level 10) in Nigeria