The
Division of Other Epidemic Infectious Diseases is seeking to recruit one
competent and qualified epidemiologist.
Position: Senior
Epidemiologist Advisor
Source of funding: East Africa Public Health Laboratory Networking
Project/World Bank
Location: The head office of
the Other Epidemic Infectious Diseases Division (EID Division)
Rwanda Biomedical Centre – Institute of HIV/AIDS, Disease Prevention &
Control
Kigali-Rwanda
Duration: Position is for a
period of one year renewable
Supervising
authority:
Successful candidates will be reporting to the Head of EID Division
Background
The
purpose of the project is to establish a network of efficient, high quality,
accessible public health laboratories for the diagnosis and surveillance of TB
and other communicable diseases.
The
project will:
(i)
strengthen capacity to diagnose communicable diseases of public health
importance and share information to mount an effective regional response
(Component I);
(ii)
support joint training and capacity building to expand the pool of qualified
laboratory technologists (Component II); and
(iii) fund
joint operational research and promote knowledge sharing to enhance the
evidence based for these investments and support regional coordination and
program management (Component III).
Objectives of the assignment
The
proposed regional laboratory network aims to:
(a)
enhance access to diagnostic services for vulnerable groups to contain the
spread of diseases in cross border areas;
(b)
improve capacity to provide specialized diagnostic services and disease
surveillance monitoring at regional level;
(c)
contribute to disease surveillance and emergency preparedness efforts through
the availability of timely laboratory data to provide early warning of public
health events; and
(d) serve
as a platform for conducting training and operational research.
The
project will facilitate the adoption of harmonized policies, strategies, and
protocols to ensure prompt and high quality results. Priority attention will be
given to networking of World Bank project satellite laboratories that serve
cross border and migrant populations, and central public health labs that
provide specialized services.
In order to ensure proper implementation of this project, 1 epidemiologist will
be hired with the overall responsibilities of planning, organizing and
implementing surveillance and emergency preparedness activities within the
scope of the project.
Reporting
The
epidemiologist will be based in the Division of EID. He/She will participate in
planning and follow-up of activities by providing technical and managerial
leadership in pursuance of developing, execution and maintaining integrated
disease surveillance and response. He/She will supervise the execution of all
laboratory tests on biological samples.
Scope of work
- Plan, organize and implement
National trainings on Integrated Disease Surveillance for District
Hospital Focal Points - Plan, organize and implement
National trainings on Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program
for District Hospital Focal Points - Regional trainings on Disease
Surveillance and Response - Collaborate with EAC partner states
for the elaboration of a regional weekly epidemiological bulletin - Ensure harmonization of
reporting tools and guidelines for sharing information on priority
diseases of public health importance. - Participate in National and
Regional cross border outbreak investigations once notified. - Ensure collaboration with the
Ministry of Agriculture to render operational the One Health Approach - Represent RBC/EID Division in
National, Regional and International meetings, conferences and forums with
regards to prevention and control of communicable diseases and control of
pandemics and epidemics of communicable and vector-borne diseases - Plan and Implement Operational
Research in line with the EAPHLN Project
QUALIFICATIONS
AND EXPERIENCE:
The ideal
candidates should have:
- Any Nationality
- Medical Doctor with Master
Degree in Epidemiology or Field Epidemiology with 3 years of
experience working at central or district level - Have good knowledge of the
National Health System and specifically the Integrated Disease Surveillance
and Response systems - Practical skills in project
management - Have computer skills in MS
Word, Excel, and Power point Epi-Info, SPSS and STATA; - Hold a certificate of Outbreak
Detection, Investigation and Response of Rwanda Field Epidemiology
and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) is an advantage - Excellent analytical,
interpersonal, leadership, communication, technical writing and
organizational skills - Fluency in English and/or
French is required (speaking and reading).
Reporting
requirements.
The
selected candidate will be under direct supervision of RBC-IHDPC/EID Division
Satellite
Interested
candidates may send their application letters, detailed CV, certified copies of
educational and professional certificates to: Deputy Director General of
Institute of HIV/AIDS Disease Prevention and Control Not later than
11/01/2012.
