Epidemiologist for Zoonotic Disease

Terms of employment: Contract

Duration of contract: 12 months with possible extension

Work Place: Ethiopian Public Health Institute

Reporting to: Zoonotic Disease Division  

Number needed: One 

Background

Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can naturally be transmitted/spread between animals and humans. These diseases can be caused by viruses, fungi, parasites, and bacteria. The convergence of people, animals, and our environment has created a new dynamic in which the health of each group is inextricably interconnected. The challenges associated with this dynamic are demanding, profound, and unprecedented. Of the many diseases now recognized in humans, approximately 61% are due to multi-host pathogens characterized by their movement across species lines. And over the last three decades, approximately 75% of new emerging human infectious diseases originate from animals (zoonotic). There for zoonotic disease epidemiologist can play a great role to strengthen “One Health” implementation which is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animal and ecosystems.

As part of implementing zoonotic diseases surveillance plan, the EPHI would like to announce a vacancy for competent and interested individuals for Zoonotic Disease Epidemiologist position. The qualified individual will coordinate and assist priority zoonotic disease surveillance and assessments data entry, analysis and manipulation and provide monthly/quarterly report to the National zoonotic disease research base and be a member of zoonotic disease research team at EPHI.

 The intended candidates should have the following roles, responsibilities, qualifications and experiences.

Roles and responsibilities

·         Coordinate in zoonotic diseases surveillance and surveys.

·         Provide technical support for public health and veterinary professionals at regional and national level.

·         Organize workshops and meetings involving stakeholders at regional and national level 

·         Develop and implement appropriate standard protocols (SOP’S, manuals, etc.) to strengthen zoonotic diseases prevention, detection and response at regional and national level.

·         Involve in outbreak investigation and response efforts through collection of epidemiological data and support undertaking laboratory investigation, etc.

·         Facilitate trainings on zoonotic diseases in line with the institute’s interests and goals in collaboration with other agencies and sectors.

·         Support reporting and communication between public health and veterinary agencies at regional level.

·         Support implementation of public education activities at regional and national level.

·         Coordinate and supervise project activities in selected pilot regions.

·         Communicate results of disease investigation to respective departments and bureau’s and higher levels as necessary.

·         Support the regional veterinary clinics and public health/veterinary laboratory performing diagnostic testing and surveillance.

·         Maintain a database of disease reports for surveillance and response purposes.

·         Disseminate educational materials to professionals and community level facilities to increase awareness on zoonotic diseases.

·         Ensure documentation of community sensitization activities including location, time spent, and number of people sensitized.

·         Monitor and maintain stockpile of animal euthanasia drugs, vaccines at each level.

·         Disseminate survey and surveillance findings through technical reports, articles, proceedings, etc.

·         Provide technical support to strengthen laboratory information management system.

·         Daily and monthly report of the project progress to the project lead and respective heads.

·         Responsible for ensuring procurement of all necessary laboratory equipment’s and supplies.

• Use statistical software such as EPI-INFO, SPSS, State as required

Communication and coordination

• Communicate effectively with Bacterial, Parasitic & Zoonotic Research Directorate and  teams, surveillance sites, EPHI relevant directorates, relevant national stakeholders and international partners as appropriate on data related issues
• Create an efficient data management schedule in line with field support activity

·         Minimum of MSc degree in Epidemiology or any other related field of study.

·         8 years’ experience for PhD and above demonstrated experience

·         10 years’ experience for MSc and above demonstrated experience

Desired skills and experiences

·         Knowledge of computer systems and operations

·         Ability to organize and schedule data entry work

·         Ability to operate computer software packages relevant to the work

·         Demonstrated communication skills