Posted on: Thu 26-11-2020

Background: 

The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is a non-profit organization established in 2005 with a mission to improve human health through the strengthening and expansion of applied epidemiology and laboratory capacity in partnership with Ministries of Health, Non-Governmental Organizations, international agencies, private sector and other public health agencies. AFENET has its headquarters in Kampala, Uganda with operations in more than 30 African Countries. 

The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. 

Officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2017 as a specialized technical institution of the African Union, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is Africa’s first continent-wide public health agency. Africa CDC envisions a safer, healthier, integrated and stronger Africa, where Member States are capable of effectively responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. The agency’s mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health institutions’ capabilities to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other health burdens through an integrated network of continent-wide preparedness and response, surveillance, laboratory, and research programs. Towards meeting its mission, the Africa CDC will work with African Union (AU) Member States, WHO, and partners in the five geographic regions of the AU to strengthen their capacity in at least five strategic priority areas: (1) public health surveillance and disease intelligence; (2) public health emergency preparedness and response; (3) public health laboratory systems and networks; (4) public health information and technology systems; and (5) public health research and public health institutes. In general, the ultimate purpose of the Africa CDC Strategic Plan, in line with Agenda 2063, is to attain an integrated and prosperous Africa that has healthy, well-nourished citizens with long life spans by controlling and/or eradicating all communicable and non-communicable diseases. 

Robust, integrated systems will be in place to significantly reduce non-communicable and lifestyle-related diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and deaths from HIV/ AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis will be reduced to zero. Integrated and comprehensive health services and infrastructure will be in place, where services are available, accessible, affordable, appropriate and of quality. 

In seeking to achieve this objective, the Africa CDC in partnership with AFENET intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the reinforcement of its organizational structure and expertise.

Job Title: Technical Officer 

Grade: AU P2/1 equivalency 

Number of posts: 1 (one) 

Department: Africa CDC Headquarters 

Supervisor: Head, Division of Public Health Institutes and Research. 

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Job Purpose 

Under the supervision of the Head of Division, National Public Health Institute and Research (NPHI), the technical officer will be responsible for providing technical assistance in the implementation of the activities in the area of NPHI with special focus on PACT. S/He will be responsible for working closely with Member States’ NPHIs and the Regional Collaborating Centres (RCCs) to coordinate and monitor all PACT activities. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Technical Officer shall perform the following major duties and responsibilities: 

• Support and coordinate the daily activities of NPHIs in planning and implementing PACT initiative. 
• Provide technical assistance in achieving the Africa CDC PACT initiative targets. 
• Assist in coordination of the Africa CDC support to Member States to significantly increase the current testing volume while employing targeted tracing to identify more cases. 
• Work closely with Member States’ NPHIs and the RCCs to coordinate and monitor all PACT activities. 
• Support technical working groups undertaking PACT activities. 
• Prepare quarterly programme evaluation and maintain up to date PACT reports. 
• Assist and Coordinate the Africa CDC events that need representatives from NPHI such as meetings, workshops and Conferences. 
• Coordinate the Africa CDC trainings for healthcare workers on COVID-19 response and other public health emergencies. 
• Contribute to organizational success by ensuring that models, strategies, tools, results and lesson learned are well documented.
• Assist in Conducting research and producing technical publications related to PACT initiative components for the Journal of Public Health in Africa (JPHIA) and other reputable journals. 
• Assist in writing and reviewing technical documents to be published in Africa CDC Website that are related to PACT initiative components. 
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor. 

Minimum Qualification: 

The minimum qualification requirements are: 

1. Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management or a related health field from an accredited academic institution with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience; or 
2. University degree in the above fields with over 5 years of relevant professional experience in Public Health, Health Systems Management, or related fields. 

Required Professional Work Experience: 

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in supporting implementation of public health programmes with emphasis on health emergencies, public health research, coordination, health planning, or other related activities.
• Experience working with an international organization is a valuable asset.
• Previous experience working in Africa that reflects an in-depth knowledge of public health issues in general.
• Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of operations of the Africa CDC, Regional Collaborating Centres and National Public Health Institutes is preferred.
• Understanding of the African Union’s way of working and managing associated relationships with Member States and partners is a valuable asset. 

Skills and competencies required: 

Functional Skills: 

• Demonstrable technical expertise and experience in supporting and/or managing complex, public health programmes with special emphasis on PACT.
• Demonstrable analytical skills as needed to respond to myriad programme management support issues.
• Demonstrable skills to conceptualize, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate resource management support requirements.
• Demonstrable familiarity with accepted tools and techniques to discharge duties effectively.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills and a proven ability to deliver under tight deadlines and works well under pressure.
• Ability to translate technical information into presentations, briefings and reports
• Knowledge of oral communication techniques and skill in presentation delivery, programme consultation and credible verbal response to inquiries.
• Knowledge of interpersonal relationship practices and skills to meet and deal with persons of diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrable proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel, Power Point, data visualization and statistical packages as well as data analysis skills are mandatory. 

Personal Skills: 

• Ability to work under pressure, stay on track and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to produce precise and intelligible reports and office briefs in line with the requirements of the African Union.
• Able to operate in a multicultural environment.
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team-spirit
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient and flexible.  
• Pro-active and solutions oriented.
• Knowledge of results-based management. 

Language requirement: 

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French and Portuguese) is required. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be an added advantage. 

Tenure of appointment: 

The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be renewed annually subject to satisfactory performance and fund availability

Remuneration 

Competitive based on qualification and experience. 

How to apply: 

Submit your resume, application letter, and relevant documentation to: 

The Administration and HR Office email;[email protected] 

ONLY successful candidates shall be contacted for an interview. 

Please note that all applications should be sent online by close of business 5:30 pm (EAT) Friday November 27, 2020

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