Medical Data Science Advisor at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Rationale/Objective for Position

• The Medical Data Science Advisor is responsible for leading operational research and reflection, and develop strategies on data acquisitions, analysis, visualization and reporting in MSF EA public health unit. The incumbent will also lead investigations,healthcare research, reflections on healthcare delivery, scanning and monitoring public health emergencies and networking with partner organizations and contribute in internal and regional external platforms.

This position will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to the Senior Health Advisor.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Develop MSF EA operational research framework
• Contribute to MSF EA Public health strategy
• Develop and recommend strategies to control and prevent disease spread,including vaccination campaigns, public health advisories, and community education.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities
Research and Development

• Lead and coordinate operational research projects
• Contribute to research projects led by other entities aimed at advancing medical knowledge and improving healthcare practices through data-driven insights.
• Participate in conducting research to improve understanding of diseases,their transmission, and effective public health interventions.

Predictive Modeling

• Lead the development of models to predict disease outbreaks, patient outcomes, or the effectiveness of treatments, which helps in proactive healthcare management.

Collaboration

• Provide actionable insights in humanitarian medical field by working closely with healthcare professionals, researchers, and IT specialists within MSF and external academic institutions to understand their data needs.
• Coordinate responses to health threats and implement public health initiatives in collaboration with health departments, government agencies,and other stakeholders based on specific requests to MSF.
• Collaborate with MSF field teams for gathering data through surveys,interviews, and laboratory tests.
• Support MSF teams to analyze this data to identify trends, risk factors, and potential interventions.

Data Acquisition, Management and Analysis

• Develop systems that avail data and information to MSF operations and external regional and mission specific platforms.
• Define and ensure application of relevant statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to analyze large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can inform clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes.
• Collaborate with anthropology and other units to provide a comprehensive analysis.

Surveillance, Visualization and Reporting

• Create visual representations of data findings to communicate results effectively to MSF operations, health advisors, medical representatives, and policymakers.
• Monitor disease patterns and trends over time to detect potential outbreaks early.
• Share findings to MSF health advisors, public health officials, and operation managers in order to inform decision-making and promote awareness.

Outbreak Investigation

• Enable response to disease outbreaks by identifying the source, mode of transmission, and affected populations.

Training and Education

• Provide training to healthcare workers and community members on disease prevention, surveillance methods, and outbreak response.

Ethics and Compliance

• Ensure compliance to MSF ethical standards, regulatory compliance, funding and resource allocation, collaboration and partnership, Data management and Data sharing protocols, biological materials/specimen collection and sharing protocols, use of technology, capacity building, evaluation and impact assessment, equity and inclusivity in research.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Senior Health Advisor.
• Integrate EDI & Safeguarding aspects in area of work responsibility, including policies and practices.
• Recognize, respond, and document any form of abuse or inappropriate behavior and alert the safeguarding unit of any suspected potential abuse.
• Proactively participate in the individual performance management processincluding objective setting, performance monitoring and performance evaluation

Qualifications

Education

• A Master’s degree in Medical Data Science, Business Intelligence,
• Epidemiology or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• A PhD in Medical Data Science, Business Intelligence, Epidemiology or anequivalent qualification from a recognized institution will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of programming and analysis tools like Python, R, or SQL, Power Bi, Stata
• Domain knowledge in Public Health (e.g., Epidemiology)
• Knowledge of the East Africa region context and health systems is a considerable plus.

Experience

• At least five (5) years of experience in field medical-humanitarian projects,with at least two (2) years of experience in data management and manipulations.
• Previous experience with MSF or other humanitarian organizations is an added advantage.

Competencies
Technical Competencies

• Statistical data analysis and modeling
• Programming skills (Python, R, or SQL)
• Data Management and Manipulations
• Domain knowledge in Public Health (e.g., Epidemiology)
• Data visualization
• Medical Research methodology

Behavioral/General Competencies

• Understanding ethical considerations
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Collaborative
• Learning and adaptability to changing contexts
• Commitment to MSF’s Principles
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Cross-cultural Awareness
• Strategic Vision
• Results and Quality Orientation
• Service Orientation