The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) Cooperative Agreement supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) aims at supporting the strengthening of the Institute’s capacity to provide Leadership to the Nation on
Health Security through its mandate. ZNPHI seeks to recruit suitably qualified and experienced persons to be appointed in the underlisted positions under this project:
PROVINCIAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST (08)
Reports to: Director- Surveillance and Disease Intelligence, ZNPHI
Location: Kabwe, Chipata, Mansa, Solwezi, Kasama, Choma, Mongu and Chinsali Districts
To strengthen disease surveillance, primarily focusing on Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and
pan-respiratory diseases surveillance systems (PRDS). Through surveillance strengthening activities, the Field Epidemiologists
will provide leadership at provincial, district, and health facility levels through technical assistance, stakeholder coordination, health worker capacity building, and policy development. They will also serve as a link between national level (ZNPHI) and sub-national levels.
Responsibilities/Principal Accountabilities
● Routinely review, analyze and interpret surveillance data to inform public health decision making.
● Conduct data quality improvement activities and surveillance system analyses to improve surveillance at provincial and district levels.
● Provide technical expertise to guide implementation of IDSR at all levels.
● Support implementation of sentinel surveillance for respiratory diseases in the PRDS
● Provide technical support to investigate public health alerts/events, conduct field assessments/investigations and
implement surveillance where indicated.
● Provides technical expertise in mentoring FETP-Advanced residents in their program deliverables
● Support outbreak responses under auspices of provincial rapid response teams (RRTs).
● Support drafting surveillance guidelines and protocols for public health problems in Zambia.
● Coordinate capacity building through training and supportive supervision to enhance integrated surveillance in Zambia.
● Develops appropriate training plans for building core surveillance capacities in accordance with the requirement for IHR 2005.
● Strengthen systems to move biological specimens transport from the field (health facilities) to testing laboratories.
● Supports expansion and monitoring and evaluation of electronic surveillance system platforms (e.g., eIDSR).
● Regularly disseminate findings from surveillance data to government officials for action and to inform disease
intelligence in Zambia, including contributing to situational and technical reports.
● Provides technical support in annual planning and preparing surveillance and response plans.
● Perform other incident specific related duties, as required by the immediate supervisor and/or Director of Surveillance
Disease Intelligence cluster at ZNPHI.
Qualifications
● Grade Twelve (12) School Certificate with Five (5) Credits or better including Mathematics and English
● Bachelors Degree in Epidemiology, Public Health infectious diseases or other related health field
● A Masters Degree in epidemiology, public health, infectious diseases or other related health field
Experience and skills
● Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in quantitative epidemiology and the implementation of public health
surveillance, outbreak investigation and response in humanitarian settings, and/or implementation IDSR
● Intermediate to advanced ability using ≥1 statistical software (e.g., STATA, SAS, R, SPSS, etc.)
● Training in Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)
● Training and experience in IDSR, emergency preparedness, outbreak response, and/or disaster management
● Experience working with DHIS2 software
● Experience working with international organizations and/or international assignments
• Proven knowledge and skills in epidemiology, surveillance methods, and data reporting, management, and analysis
• Broad knowledge, skills, and abilities with data collection and data reporting systems in Zambia
• Experience preparing survey and surveillance protocols, technical reports, and scientific manuscripts
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control Experience working with DHIS2 software
• Experience in capacity building on surveillance and epidemiological methods
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural environment with tact and diplomacy
• Experience working well on teams within varying areas of expertise to accomplish project objectives
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multi-tasking/prioritizing work to meet deadlines, and demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision
All interested persons meeting the above qualifications and experience should send their written applications to the undersigned with verified copies of academic and professional qualifications, detailed Curriculum Vitae with three references including their contact numbers.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 31st October, 2023. All applications must be clearly marked on the envelope indicating the position one is applying for. Kindly note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Interested candidates should address their application letters to:
The Director General
Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI)
Stand 1186, Corner Addis Ababa Drive & Chaholi Road,
LUSAKA
