HAI Surveillance Consultant at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is the government agency with the mandate to coordinate the surveillance, detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks. Over the last three years, NCDC has deployed a new tool for disease surveillance. The Surveillance, Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) is a system jointly developed between the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) to improve disease surveillance as well as detection and management of outbreaks and thus strengthen the public health service in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: HAI Surveillance Consultant

Location: Abuja
Department: Infection Prevention & Control
FTE: 1 FTE
Accountable to: National IPC Program Coordinator

Job Summary

• NCDC is recruiting an HAI Surveillance Consultant to join the Global Fund- COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) funded IPC project. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the development of a comprehensive national HAI surveillance program in Nigeria.
• S(he) will be based in Abuja in the National Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program domiciled within the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
• S(he) will collaborate with various stakeholders across the Nigerian Health System and other key subject matter experts to develop and implement strategies to monitor and prevent HAIs nationwide.
• The position holder shall work in consultation with the National Coordinator of the National IPC Program and the IPC Project Manager and shall serve as the point of contact in providing information on surgical site infection surveillance to the Global Fund and other critical stakeholders.
• S(he) will ensure that relevant IPC policies and guidelines are adequately disseminated to all stakeholders and implementing facilities.
• S(he) will provide technical support and guidance to state and facility IPC programs in accordance with the national and global IPC guidelines and best practices.
• The post holder requires strong data management and quantitative skills with a 30% travel expectation to the field.

Main Activities and Responsibilities
Knowledge Generation:

• Provide substantial technical input to support the development of a comprehensive national HAI surveillance program.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to establish standardized surveillance protocols and guidelines aligned with international best practices and adapted to the local context for use in healthcare facilities nationwide.
• Collaborate with the IT Consultant to create an electronic national IPC data platform for data entry, storage, management, analysis, and visualization.
• Oversee the collection, collation, and analysis of HAI data from healthcare facilities throughout Nigeria. Ensure uniform data collection and reporting practices.
• Utilize data to identify trends, emerging threats, and areas needing intervention.
• Generate regular reports and make recommendations based on findings.
• Develop and implement education and training programs on HAI surveillance.
• Provide guidance and resources to healthcare facilities for staff training and development.
• Establish a national framework for responding to and managing outbreaks of HAIs.
• Coordinate with regional and local authorities during outbreaks to ensure effective control measures.

Internal Contribution:

• Undertake activities that support the IPC unit in meeting its National Objectives
• Reflect NCDC's goals in your work and behaviour
• Participate and support other NCDC's broader mission objectives.

External Contribution:

• To demonstrate good external relationship with all stakeholders
• Contribute to learned society/conference events, journals and grant reviews.

Professional Development

• To keep up to date with the latest research/thinking in the field of IPC
• Undertake and complete all mandatory training required by NCDC as appropriate to the role and in accordance with HR policies for personal development 

Essential Criteria

• Degree in Medicine, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, Public Health, Biochemistry or related field from an accredited/recognized university (master's or doctoral degree preferred) with at least five years of experience implementing IPC programs and conducting HAI surveillance in low- and middle-income countries.
• IPC certification, preferably a postgraduate diploma, is highly desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of HAI surveillance methods and prevention strategies.
• Strong data management, analysis, and reporting skills, particularly specific to surveillance data.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), leadership, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to demonstrate empathy.
• Positive and professional attitude, including working independently and in a team setting.
• High flexibility and strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, and prioritize.  Can work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks, and maintain attention to detail.

Desirable Criteria:

• Good command of Microsoft Office, especially Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Proficient in the use of Project management tools and statistical analysis package

Person Specification:

• The post holder needs the following essential and desirable requirements. Applicants will be shortlisted solely on the extent to which they have met these requirements.

Application Closing Date
17th April, 2024.