Rationale/Objective for Position
The Epidemiological Advisor is responsible for leading the epidemiological activities across MSF-EA, planning and advising context specific diseases, surveillance and outbreak investigation and response.
This position will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to the Medical Data Science Advisor.
Tasks & Responsibilities
Strategic Responsibilities
Technical and Operational Responsibilities
Support to Operations - Headquarters/Regional level
- Provide a regional overview of the epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases, nutrition situations or other relevant information, through interagency surveillance monitoring, etc.
- Perform horizon scanning and give advice regarding epidemic-prone diseases, nutrition, etc. in the supported countries and in the region.
- Develop and enable utilization of the existing MSF-EA regional public health intelligence and anticipatory action system development.
- Train MSF staff and partners in surveillance methods, outbreak response, and data interpretation.
- Develop tools and guidelines for field epidemiology and data use.
- Consolidate regional epidemiological data to inform advocacy efforts.
- Participate in public health forums, conferences, and dissemination events.
- Support the Medical and Healthcare Advocacy Unit with evidence for policy dialogue.
- Represent headquarter meetings with Epi advisors, epidemiologists, technical advisors such as GIS experts and referents such as HIV/TB malaria, health promotion, environmental health, vaccinations, nutrition, mental health, etc. in the technical collaboration with MSF-EA.
- Provide technical guidance and support decision making in Operational Research Planning, Epidemiological activities, Outbreak response preparedness and monitoring and evaluation.
- Create a collaborative project with the other Epidemiology Advisors of other MSF Operational centers, Epicenter, or others.
MSF-EA Epidemiology Support Structure
- Lead the ongoing implementation of the MSF-EA Epidemiology support model.
- Collaborate with the other Epi Advisors and relevant units (In Nairobi and other operation centers and cells) in developing the strategy on a broader Public Health Intelligence Framework of MSF-EA.
- Lead the evaluation and improvement of the epidemiology support structure in MSF-EA.
Operational Research (OR) Activities Support
- Work with the Operational Research advisors in the MSF-EA and other OC researchers and external collaborators supporting operations, projects and the medical department to define and prioritize the operational research areas across the missions of MSF-EA.
- Review operational research agendas and provide general operational research support, including confirmation of the ethical review requirements and approvals.
- Lead the OR project cycle, write concept notes, study protocols, advanced data analysis, follow up the ethical approval procedures, editorial and manuscript writing, dissemination of research findings (publications and presentations).
- Build the local capacity for operational research infrastructure including human resource skills and log and technological advances in operational research.
Surveillance and Emergency Response
- Design and implement surveillance systems for disease monitoring in humanitarian settings.
- Lead or support outbreak investigations, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Collaborate with emergency response teams to assess health needs and guide interventions.
Data Management and Analysis
- Collect, clean, and analyze epidemiological data from field missions and external sources.
- Develop DHIS2 dashboards and visualizations for real-time monitoring and reporting of medical data.
- Apply statistical and modeling techniques to predict disease trends and inform response strategies.
- Conduct and support epidemiological and data related training.
Other Responsibilities
- Ensure confidentiality of personal/medical information of staff through compliance to General Data Protection Regulation and be the GDPR champion for the Staff Health area.
- Be part of the occupational health and safety committee for the MSF EA office and ensure compliance with the Occupational safety and health (OSH) ACT, through license acquisition and following up implementation of the OSH recommendations.
- 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 process including objective setting, performance monitoring and performance evaluation.
Qualifications
Education
- Formal postgraduate training in Epidemiology or Public Health with a focus on epidemiology and medical statistics is required.
- Knowledge of health information software (HIS e.g. DHIS2) and GIS software suites (e.g. ArcGIS or QGIS are an advantage).
- Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) or equivalent an added advantage.
- Strong analytical skills and proficiency in statistical software (R, Python).
Experience
- Essential; 3–5 years of relevant field experience as an epidemiologist in MSF or another humanitarian medical organization is required.
- Medical or paramedical profile required.
- Fluency in spoken and written English. French is an added advantage.
- Expertise in outbreak investigation, surveillance systems, and operational research.
- Experience working in emergencies or outbreak settings.
- Proven experience conducting public health assessments, surveillance, outbreak investigations, and survey design/implementation.
- Experience leading or supporting multi-country or complex projects is an asset.
Competencies
Technical Competencies
- Demonstrated ability in protocol development and data-driven reporting.
- Proficiency in statistical software (R, Python, Stata, or Julia highly valued).
- Experience in dashboard creation (e.g., Shiny, Power BI).
- Competence in data analysis, visualization, and interpretation.
- Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research designs.
- Ability to conduct rapid assessments, establish Epi Alert systems, and manage surveillance frameworks.
- Strong scientific rigor, attention to detail, and data ethics.
Behavioral/General Competencies
- Commitment to MSF’s Principles.
- Cross-cultural Awareness.
- Strategic Vision.
- Results and Quality Orientation.
- Service Orientation.
- Planning and Organizing.
- Initiative and Innovation.
- Teamwork and Cooperation.
- People Management and Development.
- Networking and Building Relationships.
- Security awareness and Management.
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Main Purpose
Planning, coordinating and monitoring all logistics related activities in the project or capital and providing support to medical assistance activities, according to MSF protocols and standards in order to ensure an optimal running of the project
Accountabilities
- Monitoring maintenance activities of infrastructures, management of non-medical stocks and equipment according to MSF standards
- Ensuring the check and follow-up of facilities under the line manager's supervision through daily visits to the facilities and reporting any anomalies or problems, evaluation of the rehabilitation needs and following up minor building rehabilitation work according to supervisor's instructions; checking that premises observe security norms and monitoring the consumption of mechanical and electrical vehicles/machines/devices
- Planning together with the line manager the required checks and maintenance activities of energy systems/set-up according to MSF standards
- Coordinating and leading the logistics team under his/her responsibility which includes daily supervision, monitoring of the quality of work and the definition of each person's task, drawing up their working schedules; organizing and leading team meetings; participating in the recruitment of team personnel and attending logistics meetings and accounting for his activities
- Ensuring the vehicle fleet maintenance which includes planning and overseeing timely preventive and curative maintenance of all project vehicles according to MSF standards and Instructing and monitoring drivers on correct driving habits and standard checks
- Managing and following up orders which includes collecting logistics orders coming from different departments or health facilities; drawing up and following up orders according to the procedures in force; providing technical support to the storekeeper, makes local purchases according to MSF supply procedures and ensures reception conditions of freight or arriving material as well as the organization and setting up of materials before its shipment.
MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities
- Supervise all WATSAN activities within the project and act as a referent to all departments. Support Medical and Logistics activities in medical facilities where MSF works.
- Ensuring the maintenance and repair of technical equipment in the project to guarantee adequate running of Watsan activities.
- Guarantee compliance with MSF standards regarding WATSAN and Planetary health in all MSF facilities and also in outreach activities.
- Participating in data collection and reporting as required
- Responsible for WATSAN stock, inventory and store. This includes stock cards, international or-ders, periodic orders and all necessary steps to guarantee an adequate inventory according to the project’s needs.
- Conduct all WATSAN and Planetary Health trainings as required.
- Ensuring the day-to-day implementation and administration of assigned construction-related ac-tivities at project level, including but not limited to, blueprint designs, drawings, BoQs, tendering processes, supervision of works, technical support to Log Manager, and at project level.
- Ensuring the maintenance and repair of premises in the project to guarantee adequate and safe working spaces.
- Identify, draw and follow a work plan ensuring that the MSF procedures and standards are fol-lowed by contractors to guarantee the operational quality of the project and the inherit safety of the buildings themselves.
- Coldchain management – to prepare the passive coldchain equipment for respecting conditioning of icepacks for transportation, as well as active coldchain equipment should be maintained.
- Biomedical equipment management – all equipment should be maintained based on chronogram, the technical protocols are well respected, users to be trained.
- Energy – Solar system should be maintained accordance to maintenance protocols, the con-sumption of power is monitored and report on monthly basis. All the technical require-ment/recommendation to be addressed to Log Manager in appropriate time frame.
- Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning- ensure providing suitable temperature and humidity conditions for medicines. Follow the maintenance chronogram.
Requirements
- Education
- Essential secondary education and formal technical training
- Experience
- At least one year in MSF or 2 years in a similar post out of MSF
- Languages
- Mission language essential; local language desirable
- Knowledge
- Essential computer literacy (Word, Excel)
- Competencies
- Results and Quality Orientation L2
- Teamwork and Cooperation L2
- Behavioural Flexibility L2
- To MSF Principles L2
- Stress Management L3
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