Epidemiologist - deadline extended

MSF introduction:

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)  is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people in 70 countries who are affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation and our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

We offer basic healthcare, carry out vaccination campaigns, and provide mental healthcare. Our activities include the treatment of injuries and disease, maternal care and the provision of humanitarian aid.

Responsibilities:

Assessing, implementing and maintaining the epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to contribute to appropriate evidence-based decision making using well managed health data in outbreak and emergency MSF programmes.

Accountabilities:

• Carrying out key epidemiological activities in outbreak investigation (description including time, place, people with emphasis on mapping when it is needed) and advising on the operational response
• Implementing and maintaining a surveillance system to monitor epidemiological trends of relevant outbreak-prone diseases. Guiding activities of medical staff for surveillance and/or active case finding, including ensuring understanding of the need for consistent case definitions and data recording (briefing of all new staff)
• Monitoring and Implementing initial Assessment (for emergency situation), rapid health assessments and (baseline or follow-up) surveys. Where standard protocols are not available or appropriate, developing a protocol seeking extensive feedback and pilot testing of tools to ensure the objectives will be met robustly with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Preparing and adapting routine documentation (survey forms, training materials, letters of request/notification, locally appropriate consent forms etc.) with support of HQ epidemiologist. Preparing an appropriate sampling frame and sample selection guidelines with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Planning and supervising the associated HR processes of the staff under his/her responsibility (recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) and ensuring that staff exhibits required skills after training and pilot test
• Managing data systems and ensuring accurate, high quality databases; analyzing results and preparing regular written reports on progress and findings for medical coordinator/HQ and when appropriate to external collaborators/networks (MoH, other NGOs, etc.)
• Providing training sessions to medical teams on relevant aspects of epidemiology to enhance team response capacity.

Qualifications:

Education: Essential medical or paramedical background, with a degree in Epidemiology

Experience: Essential few years’ experience as an epidemiologist for medical / health actor

                     MSF or NGO experience in Epidemiology is an advantage

Languages:  English & Arabic (fluency is a must), French desirable

Knowledge: Use of epidemiology related analytical software (excel, Epi-info, STATA or SPSS)

Transversal competencies:

Results and Quality Orientation 

Team work and Cooperation 

Behavioural Flexibility 

Commitment to MSF Principles

Stress Management