Program Officer Surveillance at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Location: Abuja (Central Office)
Department: Strategic Information                                   
Reports to: Surveillance Lead

Overview

• The Surveillance unit of the department of Strategic Information is responsible for implementing HIV/AIDS surveillance activities and surveys in IHVN-supported States.
• The unit is also responsible for engaging relevant stakeholders to collaborate on strengthening surveillance activities and to promote the use of data collected through surveillance activities for improved patient management and public health response.

Job Summary

• The Program Officer, HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance will provide technical support for the implementation of HIV/AIDS surveillance activities and surveys in IHVN-supported States.
• The Program Officer will collaborate with Stakeholders, including Federal/State Ministries of Health, funders, and relevant implementing partners to strengthen the national HIV/AIDS case-based surveillance, recency surveillance and mortality surveillance initiatives.
• The Program Officer will provide support for epidemiological data collection, analysis, and use for monitoring the trends of HIV sentinel events among people living with HIV. The Program Officer will provide technical assistance to site and above-site level personnel to ensure surveillance data are used for improving the quality of patient management and public health response.

Job Responsibilities

• Performs HIV/AIDS surveillance data analyses and monitors surveillance data for change in epidemiological trends.
• Participates in planning and conducting outbreak and other epidemiologic investigations by assisting with the onsite review of facilities and procedures; interviewing patients, health care providers, and others involved; and assisting in collecting data from local agencies or other health entities.
• Participates in rapid/emergency response to suspected/confirmed outbreaks as needed.
• Assists in preparing reports from analyses of surveillance data, literature reviews, and other information using behavioural science, demographic and epidemiologic analytic techniques, and evaluation.
• Perform data quality assurance activities; undertake periodic field supervision visits to assess and evaluate the implementation of surveillance activities, identify gaps and recommend corrective actions based on key performance indicators.
• Participates in writing grants and other funding proposals.
• Analyses, systematizes, and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical information and knowledge.
• Participate in capacity building initiatives for surveillance data use

Job Requirements
Education:

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or Biostatistics is essential.
• Medicine, Pharmacy, Statistics or related medical degree is desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in disease surveillance especially in HIV/AIDs program.

Knowledge / Skills:

• Applied knowledge of principles and practices of epidemiology.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS surveillance initiatives in Nigeria
• Research methods, procedures, and techniques used in identifying and evaluating disease characteristics.
• Contemporary medical methods and practices used in the control of a variety of diseases.
• Principles and practices applicable to the surveillance and investigation of communicable diseases.
• Public health surveillance, computerized database management, data analysis, program evaluation, literature search, effective verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly
• Proficiency in the use of basic computer program such as Microsoft Excel and Word, Google doc and analytic software such as STATA, R and SPSS.
• Ability to write simple reports; to write technical and non-technical information material.
• Ability to follow oral or written instructions; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Interpersonal relations, as applied to contacts with representatives of governmental agencies and other implementing partners