Flying Position Operational Research Epidemiologist at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main Purpose

• Implementing and supervising the epidemiological research in the mission according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to contribute to mitigating the effects of diseases where MSF is present.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Where relevant, participating in defining the objectives of operational research, developing research protocols and methodology including patient inclusion criteria and data management processes, and identifying the human resources needed to conduct the research in order to obtain relevant information for the medical intervention. Where relevant, ensuring compliance with MSF laboratory protocols (secure manipulation of samples, shipment of samples etc.)
• Coordinating the execution of the research with partners ensuring compliance to MSF protocols.
• Providing training to and supervising the team that will participate in performing the research.
• Ensuring patients included in any research have freely given their consent to participate and have received the correct information in a format they can comprehend
• Reviewing data collection and undertaking analysis as appropriate, reporting on a regular basis to the functional referent about study progress and any relevant information for the mission/project. Writes a clear research report documenting the full methods and results and draws appropriate conclusions supported by the results. Where appropriate, participating in writing scientific papers.
• Managing data systems and ensuring accurate, high quality databases
• Ensuring dissemination of findings to the community as described in the study protocol

MSF Section / Context Specific Accountabilities:

• Oversee the coordination and implementation of exisiting and planned operational research protocols (quantitative and qualitative) across three projects in the mission. Currently active studies include: (1) LASCOPE – an observation cohort study of Lassa Fever clinical course; (2) field evaluation of pan-Lassa rapid diagnostic test; (3) Lassa fever mental health outcomes case series study.
• Participate in the development of planned and any new operational research, including setting research objectives, study design and protocol development, data management and analysis, and report writing. Currently planned studies include: (1) evaluation of implementing TB diagnostic and treatment algorthim among children with malnutrition; (2) GASTROSAM – a Phase II trial to evaluate current WHO rehydration guidelines for children with severe acurate malnutrition (SAM) and to generate feasibility, safety and preliminary data on treatment of dehydration using new rehydration strategies.
• Coordinate the submission of ethics applications to MSF and local ethical review boards, and ensure that all aspects of studies are conducted in an ethical manner and in accordance with ethical guidelines.
• Work with the mission epidemiologist/technical referrents to develop, maintain, and review study databases and conduct data analyses, as required.
• Ensure timely management of tasks and competing priorities/deadlines, using judgement and initiative, while maintaining strong working relationships with study investigators, partners and stakeholders (e.g. study team, project focal points, HQ/cell etc.)
• Travel to the field as required to provide support to the project in the implementation of research protocols.
• Support the Mission Epidemiologist in creating a network (health actors, civil society,…) in the area where we wish to follow closer alerts (South-East) in order to have a faster and more adequate answer to the eventual needs.

Requirements

Education:

• Degree (or Masters) in Epidemiology or Public Health with extensive training in statistics and epidemiology

Experience:

• Experience in field epidemiology
• Desirable field experience with MSF or other NGOs, research experience is a plus
• Desirable experience in viral haemorrhagic fever epidemiology and/or malnutrition projects

Languages:

• English essential, local language desirable

Knowledge:

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel)
• Essential knowledge of EpiInfo, SPSS or analytical package

Competencies:

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