The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Nairobi has an opening for the position of Public Health Specialist (Medical Epidemiologist) - IEIP. The position will be available immediately. The closing date for this position is September 19, 2013.
Qualifications Required:
- Medical Doctor (MBChB, MD DVM or equivalent) and Master’s degree in Public Health or Social Sciences is required.
- At least 5 years progressive medical and/or public health experience in clinical or academic setting; two years experience managing and participating in disease surveillance activities is required
- Level IV (fluent) English ability and Level III (fluent) Kiswahili are required.
Other Criteria
- Must have a high level of detailed understanding of the structure and functions of Kenya’s Ministry of Health (MOH). Must have technical knowledge of clinical medicine, epidemiology, and public health relevant to the African setting.
- Must have technical experience and knowledge in managing programs and resources.
- Must have ability to lead projects teams and workgroups and to develop effective workingrelationships with national and international working partners.
- Must have training and experience with MS Office, and statistical analysis software such as SAS, STATA, or SPSS.
Job Specification
This position will report to the Deputy Director for Science of the International Emerging Infections Program within the Global Disease Detection Division (GDDD). Specifically, the incumbent will provide technical assistance and management for outbreak response and surveillance activities that improve detection of communicable diseases within population-based sites in Central and Western Kenya, and throughout the broader East African region, including but not limited to Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Somalia.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Coordinate activities related to public health and disease surveillance activities. S/he will maintain current surveillance activities while at the same time setting up new disease surveillance and public health research activities. S/he will provide direct guidance and technical assistance to health staff affiliated with disease surveillance activities in the population-based surveillance sites of Kibera and Lwak and conduct surveillance for emerging and re-emerging infectious and non-infectious diseases, hospital acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance in hospitals and clinics throughout the region. (30%)
Responsible for the development and implementation of public health research studies. Responsibilities will include conceptualization of study, protocol development, solicitation of funding, work plan development, oversight of activities, ensuring protocol adherence and scientific standards are maintain, maintain data quality, and publication of study findings. Includes developing a system for recording, managing and analyzing diagnostic and surveillance data. Ensure data collection and management is timely, accurate and complete. (30%)
Work with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other partners on the development of a regional surveillance and diagnostic network to enable sharing of information to characterize risk, prevent diseases spread, and enhance control efforts. (15%)
Work with CDC laboratories and local laboratories to identify appropriate diagnostic mechanisms and assist in laboratory guidance on necessary supplies and reagents. S/he will ensure collection, storage, and transportation of specimens are carried out according to laboratory and project Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). S/he will ensure that correct procedures are applied when collecting necessary specimens and providing guidance on testing algorithms necessary for achieving appropriate results for program success. (15%)
Be involved in national and international travel for assessment, supervision, activity participation, and conference attendance as necessary. S/he will produce write-ups on surveillance and other program activities as abstracts, manuscripts, presentations, etc. to be presented at conferences or submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. S/he will represent CDC-Kenya and the Kenya Medical Research Institute/CDC Collaboration for Public Health Research (KEMRI) at national and international conferences and meetings. S/he will produce training material for various diseases of public health concern and facilitate trainings of field stakeholders. (10%)
