Epidemiology & Surveillance Officer

Job description

Job Summary:

Position Title: Epidemiology & Surveillance Officer

Reports to: Associate Director, Technical, STRIDES ZambiaZambia Job Market

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in a long – lasting way by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries including Zambia and all U.S. states and territories. We currently seek qualified candidates to fill the role of Epidemiology & Surveillance Officer to be based in Lusaka.

Job Summary:

The Epidemiology and Surveillance Specialist will provide technical support, manage staff, monitor epidemiological surveillance strengthening activities, and implementation of the STRengthening Infectious Disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) project in Zambia. S/He will provide technical support to the Ministries of Health, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Department of Livestock Services, Central Veterinary Research Institute, and priority regions and provinces in the design and implementation of infectious disease detection and surveillance strategies.   S/He will take the lead in planning and Implementing activities to improve the quality and performance of epidemiology and surveillance interventions. technical meetings and provide thought leadership at the country level. S/He will make technical inputs to the annual work planning, lead in developing guidelines and policies for epidemiology and surveillance strengthening activities, participate in technical meetings, and provide thought leadership at the country level.  S/He will work closely with the project and headquarters (HQ) teams by evaluating program effectiveness, overseeing technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

Provides project staff with overall technical direction and guidance on epidemiological surveillance in line with the project’s expected outcomes
Provides strategic leadership and guidance to the epidemiology and public health surveillance component of the project in coordination with other project technical areas.
Supports the design and implementation of technical activities to establish or strengthen event – and indicator-based surveillance, and community-based surveillance for priority pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
Coordinates closely with the global surveillance team to ensure synergies and experience sharing within and across global health security countries.
Provides technical assistance to develop and implement plans to expand passive surveillance systems into active surveillance for priority diseases and to serve as an enhanced early warning surveillance system.
Conducts analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategies and guidelines.
Provides technical expertise in preparing training materials, standard operating procedures, and job aids and delivers training to epidemiologists, disease surveillance officers, project staff and partners.
Contributes technical support to efforts to improve real-time data reporting, data quality, data sharing, and the linkage of surveillance and laboratory data
Provide technical assistance to strengthen linkage of epidemiology and laboratory surveillance data, data analysis, and interpretation.
Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports related to technical areas of expertise.
Works closely with national counterparts and teams to provide the technical assistance required to fulfill national objectives and targets, especially those related to epidemiologic surveillance strategies, policies, plans, and procedures for priority emerging infectious diseases, and zoonotic diseases.
Develops technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate and document research, best practices, policies, and procedures.
Assists with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan.
Works with project management and technical teams to define, develop, implement, monitor and adjust technical work plans, budgets, presentations, and reports.
Utilizes evidence-based methods and best practices to implement work plan activities.
.Provide technical support in the development and dissemination of tools, materials, reports, papers, and intervention for projects.
Provides support to work planning and workplan preparation and finalization.

Project Design Implementation:

Supports the Country Project and Technical Directors in collaborating with the Ministries listed above and other relevant national, provincial and regional structures in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of health security surveillance interventions.
Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of epidemiologic and public health surveillance components
Leads technical project activities and sub-activities and assists with project implementation.
Works closely with the STRIDES project team to ensure activities are implemented according to standard operating procedures (SOP’s).
Monitors and maintains protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and reports.

Client/Funder Support:

Provides final authorization and approval of assigned technical portions of project design, based on the direction set by technical leadership.
Builds productive working relationships internally and externally by fostering partnerships with national and international organizations, government agencies, academia, and other relevant entities.
Assists with the preparation and drafting of work plans, presentations, and reports for the donor and other key stakeholders
Participates in and represents the project in meetings and forums as required

Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):

Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation.
Assists in the development of donor reports and presentations.
Tracks technical project spending under broad supervision.
Establishes and maintains Statement of Work (SOW) and budget tracking systems for activities under the leadership of this position; provides reports to supervisors.
Coordinate with suppliers for procurements

Project/Program Reporting:

Supports preparation of quarterly and annual reports, and other documents.
Gathers information, data and statistics needed to provide evidence to reports, presentations, papers, and other documentation produced.
Participates in data review and support data for decision making.
 Assists with creating technical content (e.g., summary reports, presentations, manuscripts) related to project activities, results, and outcomes.
Prepares reports and papers summarizing project results and analyzing data sets and technical assessment findings.
Performs other duties as assigned.

 Applied Knowledge & Skills:

Proficiency with database management software and on-line search tools required.
Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
Basic working knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with providing technical support for technical research studies.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.
 Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.

Supervision Given/Received:

Has no supervisory responsibility.
Receives general instructions on routine work, detailed instructions on new assignments or projects
 Typically reports to an Associate Director or Director.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent in epidemiology, Public Health, or related field.

Experience:

Typically requires 4+ years of relevant experience of combined national and international experience working in epidemiology and public health programs related to the control of infectious diseases, health analysis, and statistics.
Prior work experience, knowledge, and practical expertise in applying the WHO International Health Regulations and in outbreak response at the national and international levels.
Proficiency in data quality assurance, data analysis, and interpretation.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in implementing infectious disease surveillance methodology, including analysis of epidemiologic investigation data utilizing new methodologies or existing techniques.
Ability to analyze current public health surveillance systems and to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.
Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated experience in training and mentoring staff and others.
Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private company.

Typical Physical Demands:

Typical office environment.
Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
 Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

Ability to travel 10% – 25%

The last day of receiving applications is 3 February 2026.