Senior Field Epidemiologist

ABOUT FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,200 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

FHI 360 has worked in the Philippines for over 30 years and have taken a comprehensive approach by providing holistic and cutting-edge solutions to help address the country’s health and development challenges. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services – including HIV and epidemic control (COVID-19 and TB), health system strengthening, and global health security.

The U.S. Government’s (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USG’s GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust in a country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sr. Field Epidemiologist will provide technical support, manage staff, and monitor epidemiological surveillance strengthening activities of the USG’s GHS program funded STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity in the Philippines. Will provide technical support to the relevant local ministries on 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, supporting technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Requirements:

• Contributes 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 STRIDES 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 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 relevant national and regional ministries and 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 Philippines Disease Surveillance Advisor.
• Leads some technical activities and sub-activities within the project 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 represent STRIDES in meetings and forums as required.

Operations Management:

• Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation.
• Assists in the development of donor reports and presentations.
• 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 in coordination with other technical project 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 the Philippines,
• 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 software 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.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent 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:

• Supervises five Field Coordinators.
• Reports to the Technical Advisor I, Disease Surveillance.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree or its international equivalent in epidemiology, public health, or health-related fields related to the functions of the position.
• 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 multisectoral 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,
• Prior work experience with US government funded projects and familiarity with US government regulations and reporting requirements is preferred.
• Fluency in Tagalog required. Proficiency in English preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• 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 is Personal computer/laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
• Up to 40% of travel in-country

Safeguarding:

FHI 360 is committed to providing a safe environment for all employees, beneficiaries, and anyone contracted by FHI 360. This includes taking measures to protect vulnerable people from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by either FHI 360 employees or associated personnel. FHI 360 abides by child safeguarding principles. FHI 360’s Safeguarding Policies apply and flow out to all FHI 360 staff, board members, volunteers, and partner staff (subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and subrecipients), regardless of the funding mechanism or amount of contract, agreement, or purchase order.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.
FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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