Surveillance Support Officer

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 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project is a global health initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State, running from 2019 to 2027. In the Philippines, EpiC has two workplans each with its own technical scope and budget, one focused on achieving HIV epidemic control and one focused on strengthening global health security (GHS). The role outlined in this job description supports EpiC’s GHS workplan.

EpiC’s GHS workplan aims to strengthen national, subnational, and local capacities for the prevention, detection, and response to public health emergencies, including pandemic preparedness. Support is delivered across multiple technical areas, including Zoonotic Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Laboratory Systems, Surveillance, Public Health Emergency Management, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging. All activities and sub-activities under each technical area are aligned with and informed by national priorities and strategies, including the National Action Plan for Health Security (2025–2030), the National Framework of the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS), and the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) 2025–2030.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Surveillance Support Officer (SSO) will report to the EpiC/GHS Field Operations Manager to support the implementation of the EpiC/GHS project’s activities through providing technical and operational assistance to the Regional and Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESUs/ LESUs) in the assigned regions in the verification, investigation, and response to suspected outbreaks and public health events in assigned Strategic Depth Regions including III- Central Luzon, IVA- CALABARZON, IVB- MIMAROPA, National Capital Region (NCR), and BARMM, and other regions as needed.

In addition, s/he will support RESUs/LESUs in conducting timely outbreak verification, coordinating field investigations, strengthening subnational readiness systems; in accordance with national guidelines, the 7-1-7 performance framework, and alignment with project priorities across surveillance, laboratory systems, biosafety/biosecurity, IPC, and EMCE.

The position will work closely with EpiC/GHS Zoonotic Diseases, Laboratory and Diagnostics, Surveillance, IPC, Health Emergency Management, and EMCE teams, as well as government stakeholders at national and subnational levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Community Event-based Surveillance and Response (CESR) Technical and Operational Leadership

• Provide overall technical and operational leadership in the implementation of CESR in coordination and collaboration with relevant authorities
• Ensure alignment of CESR implementation with the DOH Epidemiology Bureau priorities, approvals, and national surveillance policies
• Serve as the primary technical focal point for CESR-related coordination across DOH, Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), LGUs, and community counterparts
• Assist in the design and implementation of a robust progress monitoring and tracking system to measure performance against planned schedule, budget, and quality standard for CESR implementation
• Coordinate and monitor deployment of CESR field activities, ensuring adherence to guidelines
• Provide technical guidance in the development and updates of CESR related policies, guidelines, and issuances

2. Surveillance System Strengthening

• Support the project’s Senior Technical Specialist- Epidemiology in implementing different surveillance-related activities under the EpiC GHS workplan, including strengthening PIDSR, revitalizing EBS/ CBS, monitoring of CESR implementation, and modernizing sentinel and syndromic surveillance systems in project sites
• Assist in enhancing surveillance tools, templates, and data directorates and support efforts to improve reporting workflows, timeliness, and data completeness across existing surveillance platforms
• Work with DOH relevant bureaus and teams to support the development and modernization efforts of current digital health information platforms including the integration of automated alerts, early-warning signals, and data visualization modules.

3. Field Surveillance and Outbreak Detection

• Support Regional and Local ESUs in conducting real-time outbreak investigation, event verification, and rapid epidemiologic response in assigned regions.
• Provide technical support to key staff in ESUs, hospital surveillance units, and barangay-level focal points to enhance reporting quality, signal detection, rumor verification, and effective use of digital tools with particular focus in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs)
• Strengthen continuity of reporting through deployment and troubleshooting of frontline reporting kits (tablets, mobile apps, backup power/solar chargers).

4. Zoonotic Disease Surveillance and One Health Coordination

• Support national and local efforts in designing and implementing multi-sectoral surveillance activities with DOH, DA-BAI, DENR, wildlife authorities, LGUs, and One Health stakeholders to detect zoonotic spillover signals.
• Participate in and document joint field investigations for priority zoonotic diseases (HPAI, leptospirosis, rabies, Nipah-like syndromes, etc.) and contribute to multi-agency outbreak simulation exercises, as required by RESUs/ LESUs

5. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer

• Lead and oversee the development, reviewing, and updating activities of CESR training packages and module including trainer and participant guides
• Oversee implementation of Training of Trainers (ToT) and cascading roll-out trainings of CESR for DOH, DA, DENR, LGUs, and community-level implementers
• Support the design and execution of multisectoral outbreak simulations, table-top exercises, and after-action reviews to test subnational response systems.
• Train local responders on outbreak investigation, PPE use, IPC enforcement, triage, safe specimen handling, and reporting tools.
• Support the development and delivery of training programs, SOPs, and protocols for local health responders and teams, based on national and international guidelines and tailored to the local context.
• Provide technical assistance in the development and contextualization of IEC materials, job aides, and audio-visual presentations (AVPs), ensuring accuracy, quality, relevance, and alignment with project objectives
• Provide logistical and management support during the execution and delivery of trainings and other capacity strengthening activities
• Contribute to developing SOPs, outbreak investigation toolkits, verification job aids, EMCE job aids, and training modules for subnational and facility-level teams.
• Deliver capacity-building activities, on-the-job coaching, and competency assessment for key surveillance personnel and frontline health workers.
• Provide guidance to ensure standardized surveillance practices across all project-supported regions and technical areas.

6. Project Management Support, Coordination, & Reporting

• Support development and refinement of annual workplans, activity plans, progress updates, and donor reports.
• Coordinate closely with the Project Lead and technical teams to ensure synchronized implementation.
• Wherever applicable, represent the project in technical working groups, government meetings, and partner coordination sessions as required.

7. Other Responsibilities

• Perform additional duties as assigned, particularly during emergency escalations, surge alerts, and public health incidents.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Usual office working conditions
• Ability to travel domestically at least 25%

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, and/or in any of the fields related to position functions, Master’s degree preferred. Solid background in emergency preparedness and response is also preferred.
• At least 3 years of combined national and international experience working in disease surveillance programs and development of disease surveillance systems, and management of a subteam.
• Training/s in Epidemiology and Surveillance (e.g. Basic Epidemiology and Disease/Events-based Surveillance, Field Epidemiology Training Advanced, Intermediate, or Frontline Course, etc.) and Outbreak Response (e.g. Basic Life Support and Standard First Aid) is preferred.
• Knowledge and practical expertise in the application of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and outbreak control at national and international level.
• Professional expertise in preventive public health, epidemiological research, disease control and health services.
• Demonstrated experience in implementation, rollout, and training of CESR program, including capacity-building of local health responders and coordination with government and community stakeholders
• Ability to analyze current surveillance systems and to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.
• Knowledge on data management software use.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving, leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in leading, mentoring, and training staff and others, including good communication and networking skills
• Proven experience working with government officials, particularly the Department of Health is highly desirable, to support strategy development, implementation plans and decision making.

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.

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