Epidemiology and Surveillance Specialist

About FHI 360:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in
lasting ways 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 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.
Job Summary:
The Epidemiology and Surveillance Specialist will provide technical support, manage
staff, and monitor epidemiological surveillance strengthening activities of the USAIDfunded STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity in
Cameroon. Will provide technical support to the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and
Environment and their structural divisions on developing and/or updating infectious
disease detection and surveillance strategies. Take the lead on planning and
implementing activities to improve the quality and performance of epidemiology and
surveillance services. Provide technical support and guidance around the issues,
challenges, and strategies for improving quality affecting STRIDES. Contribute
technical inputs to the annual work planning at the country level, lead in developing
guidelines and policies for epidemiology and surveillance strengthening activities,
participate in technical meetings, and provide thought leadership at the country level.
The position will work closely with the STRIDES country and headquarters (HQ) teams
by evaluating program effectiveness, oversee technical aspects, and provide 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
● 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.
● Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training
materials, and reports related to the technical area 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 assessments best practices, policies, and procedures.
● Conducts analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement
and propose appropriate technical strategies and guidelines.
● Coordinates closely with the global surveillance team to ensure synergies and
experience sharing within and across global health security countries.
● Provides onsite and on-the-job technical assistance to epidemiologists and others
as required and requested as part of overall capacity-building and continuous
improvement schemes.
● 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.
● Provides technical assistance to strengthen national expertise to manage health
management information system platforms (including laboratory managing
information systems), analyze data, and produce surveillance reports and other
visualizations aligned with evidence-based best practices, and international
standards.
● 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.
● 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.
● Assist with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan
● Participate in client and stakeholder meetings and draft reports and presentations.
Project Design Implementation:
● Supports the STRIDES Country Project Director in collaborating with the
Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and relevant national and regional
institutions for project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
● Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of
epidemiologic and public health surveillance components.
● Monitors project deliverables and reports to the STRIDES Country Project Director.
● Leads technical project activities and sub activities and assists with project
implementation.
● Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff.
Client Support:
● Provides local leadership to the 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.
● Collects data for inclusion in proposals, which consists of assisting with
proposal research and developing proposal strategies.
● Draft proposals, budgets, and work plans.
● Participate in and represents STRIDES 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 spend under broad supervision.
● Monitors activities and ensures that activities are in line with activities’ approved
budget.
● Coordinate with suppliers for procurements.
Project/Program Reporting:
• Provides strategic leadership and guidance to the M&E specialist of the project incoordination with other project technical areas:
a. Assists in reviewing and updating the M&E frameworks to reflect changes in
the project context and best practices with a focus on surveillance, and
b. Oversees and ensures timely submission of accurate reports to funder, and
other stakeholders summarizing project progress, achievements, and
lessons learned.
● Prepares reports and papers summarizing project results and analyzing data
sets and technical assessment findings.
● Creates technical content (e.g., summary reports, presentations,
manuscripts) related to project activities, results, and outcomes
Quality Assurance:
● Develops in-depth knowledge of quality standards through formalized system
that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving
quality policies and objectives.
● Coordinates and direct activities to meet client/funder and regulatory requirements.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
● In-depth knowledge of public health surveillance concepts, practices, and
procedures in Cameroon,
● Extensive experience in strengthening disease surveillance systems at the
national and subnational levels.
● Experience developing scopes of work and deliverables for partners, consultants,
etc.
● Broader knowledge of quality standards
● Proficiency with database management softwares and online search tools required.
● 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.
Must be able to read, write, and speak English and French
● Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
● Excellent demonstrated project management skills.
● Ability to influence and collaborate with others.
● 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.Problem Solving & Impact:
● Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require review of various
factors.
● Exercises good judgment in selecting methods and techniques to determine
appropriate action.
● Identifies and raises issues to STRIDES Management
● Networks with key internal and external personnel.
Supervision Given/Received:
● Serves as technical lead for surveillance activities and may mentor other lower-level
personnel.
● May supervise junior-level staff.
● Reports to STRIDES Country Project Director.
Education:
● Master’s Degree or its international equivalent in epidemiology, public health, or
health-related fields related to the functions of the position.
Experience:
● Requires 6+ years of relevant experience working in epidemiology and public
health programs related to the control of infectious diseases, health analysis,
and statistics.
● Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government
agency, or private organization.
● International or Domestic (US) Program Development or Program management
experience preferred.
● Proficiency in data quality assurance, data analysis, and interpretation.
● Relevant training in epidemiology and surveillance, either through formal
education or participation in training programs, such as the Field Epidemiology
Training Programs (e.g., advanced, intermediate, or frontline courses), is
desirable.
● Knowledge and experience implementing Cross sectoral Health approaches,
including experience in zoonotic disease management, health systems
strengthening, and cross-sectoral collaboration, are preferred.
● 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.
● Demonstrated experience working with government officials, particularly the
Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture,
● , is highly desirable to support strategy development, implementation plans, and
decision-making.
● Prior work experience with USAID-funded projects and familiarity with USAID
regulations and reporting requirements is preferred.
● Fluency in the French language is required.
● Proficiency in the English language is preferred.
Typical Physical Demands:
● Typical office environment.
● Ability to spend long hours looking at a 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:
● Up to 40% in-country travel
Required documentation:
● Resume
● Cover letter
● Other documentation (such as Biodata Form) upon request
HOW TO APPLY :
Interested candidates are required to submit their offers by email to the following address:
CameroonRecruitment@fhi360.org no later than 15th July 2025.