Epidemiologist at Idmibok International (Nationwide)

Idmibok International, also known as 360 HSDC is a health community-based organization registered in Nigeria, that works in a targeted yet comprehensive manner to address critical health, institutional and development related issues. 360 HSDC achieves this by collaborating with global and local development and private entities, such as governments, bilateral and multilateral donors, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector. The organization has a multifaceted team of experts with proficiency and experience in emergency environments, humanitarian activities and development in diverse environments and ecosystems, globally and across Africa, including in South Sudan, and extensively in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Epidemiologist

Location: Nationwide

Job Overview

• This is a consultancy for a proposal the organization is working on. The Epidemiologist is responsible for carrying out investigations, implementations, assessment and epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring (if needed) according to the organization’s protocols in order to contribute to appropriate evidence-based decision making using well managed health data in outbreak and emergency programs. The research study will be done in Kwara and Osun states.

Responsibilities

• Carry out key epidemiological activities in outbreak investigation (description including time, place, people with emphasis on mapping when it is needed) and advise on the operational response
• Supervise epidemiological activities in community-based surveillance (mortality, malnutrition), in outbreak investigations (description including person, place and time with emphasis on mapping when needed) and advise on operational response.
• Monitor data quality in the data collection tools used through follow up with appropriate staff on missing, erroneous and duplicate data, correcting data errors in a timely manner, and liaising with staff to ensure data integrity is maintained.
• Develop and maintain community-based and hospital-based surveillance systems to monitor health status of beneficiaries.
• Monitor epidemiological trends of relevant outbreak-prone diseases.
• Guide activities of medical staff and community staff for surveillance and/or active case finding, including ensuring understanding of the need for consistent case definitions and data recording (briefing of all new staff).
• Develop and maintain accurate and high-quality data systems/databases.
• Performs quantitative data analysis using descriptive, statistical, and spatial methodologies and computerized statistical software,
• Prepare regular written reports on progress and findings for medical coordinator, and when appropriate to external collaborators/networks (MoH, other NGOs).
• Conduct initial assessments (for emergency situations), rapid health assessments and (baseline or follow-up) surveys to inform appropriate response.
• Where standard protocols are not available or appropriate, develop a protocol seeking extensive feedback and pilot testing of robust tools to ensure the objectives will be met with support of HQ epidemiologist.
• Prepare / adapt routine documentation (survey forms, training materials, letters of request/notification, locally appropriate consent forms etc) with support of HQ epidemiologist.
• Prepare an appropriate sampling frame and sample selection guidelines with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Hire, train and supervise survey staff, including ensuring staff exhibit required skills after training and pilot test.
• Analyze results and report on findings
• Manage data systems and ensure accurate, high quality databases
• Analyze results and report on findings
• Implement/maintain relevant epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring
• Provide training sessions to medical teams on relevant aspects of epidemiology to enhance team response capacity.
• Follow up, monitor, and provide result interpretation of community-based nutrition and mortality surveillance system in the projects where implemented.
• Support implementation of remote surveillance system in project site.
• Follow up on reported cases of communicable diseases and conduct analysis of the data to support early detection and to help inform appropriate response.
• Monitor epidemiological trends of relevant outbreak-prone diseases (e.g meningitis, measles, cholera etc.), and provide appropriate technical advice and support to the PMRs.
• Follow up and harmonize project’s Health Information System (HMIS) and support analysis of this data.
• Ensure timely reporting for monthly and quarterly indicators.
• Support and manage surveillance data tools when requested Provide technical support to field team in building capacity regarding surveillance for meningitis outbreak preparedness.
• Update the medical dashboard to support program improvement and sharing with the medical coordinator on a weekly basis.
• Ensure external data management tools (e.gMOH, Nut 5W cluster) are updated with weekly and monthly data for external sharing purposes.
• Ensure regular reporting on progress, challenges and findings at medical meetings or coordination meetings if applicable.
• Support emergency team on analysis of the data during/after exploratory missions if relevant.
• Participate in relevant team, inter-sectional and inter-agency/ governmental meetings if requested by medical coordinator
• Design/develop protocols of epidemiological study carry out epidemiological study and publish results in norms with studies internal regulations.
• Being flexible to any other task to be carried out asked by the supervisor according to the mission need.

Requirements
Education:

• Medical Doctor (preferable), Nurse or Biomedical background with a Degree in Epidemiology.

Experience:

• At least 3 years' experience in tropical medicine (having assumed coordination position is a plus).
• Experience in field epidemiology
• Experience working in Nigeria
• Demonstrate experience in conducting research funded by large donor

Competencies:

• Commitment to the organization’s principles.
• Cross-cultural Awareness
• Behavioral Flexibility
• Stress Management
• Results and Quality Orientation
• Service Orientation
• Initiative and Innovation
• Teamwork and Cooperation

Other Required skills:

• Organization and planning skills, initiative and proactive.
• Committed to humanitarian principles.
• Due to the nature of MSF operations, flexibility is indispensable and unavoidable.
• Committed to humanitarian principles.
• Sensitive and respectful of religious and cultural differences

Language Requirements:

• Excellent ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing. Knowledge of the Yoruba language is desirable.

Application Closing Date
10th July, 2020.