Epidemiology and Surveillance Team Lead

Closing Date of The Position: March 31, 2017

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 17/057

OPEN TO: All Interested Applicants/ All sources

POSITION: Epidemiology and Surveillance Team Lead

WORK HOURS:   Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR): FSN- 12; (Step 1- TZS 90,260,155 through Step 13- 135,390,235 per annum)

Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP- 3*
*Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.

The “Open To” category listed above refers to candidates who are eligible to apply for this position. The “Open To” category should not be confused with a “hiring preference” which is explained later in this vacancy announcement.

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix A for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Epidemiology and Surveillance Team Lead at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The Epidemiology and Surveillance Team Lead oversees the design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of CDC-funded surveillance program activities, epidemiologic studies (public health evaluations) and surveys, and training in epidemiology in Tanzania. The incumbent represents CDC Tanzania with full authority on surveillance and epidemiologic studies issues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. In coordination with other U.S.G. partner agencies, the job holder collaborates with and provides technical assistance and guidance to the Tanzanian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), National AIDS Control Program, and Zanzibar AIDS Control Program (ZACP) in the design and implementation of surveillance program activities, public health evaluations and training in epidemiology. The job holder serves as a key advisor to the Strategic Information Program Chief and directly supervises one program officer in planning, implementing, and evaluating surveillance activities, epidemiologic studies and developing training in epidemiology.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and Coordination: 
30%

1. Job holder serves as a primary advisor in the planning and development of the surveillance programs, epidemiologic studies, and epidemiology-related training activities included in the annual COP for Tanzania. In collaboration with other USG partners, compiles and edits surveillance and epidemiologic studies program activities for the COP. Participates in reviews of the plan and recommends revisions as needed. Drafts technical requirements for program announcements for cooperative agreements supporting surveillance program and epidemiologic studies activities. Reviews cooperative agreement applications from partner agencies for technical soundness and appropriateness of budget requests. Participates with partners in the development of work plans for implementation of activities following cooperative agreement awards. Serves as a technical reviewer on applications for financial assistance from the Global Fund and other USG partners.
2. Job holder represents CDC Tanzania at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies. Acts as an expert national resource, and a recognized regional and international resource on matters pertaining to HIV surveillance, population and facility surveys, modeling of infections averted and public health evaluations. Serves as chair on the USG Strategic Information Inter-Agency Technical Working Group to ensure effective coordination of work plan development, implementation strategies, and evaluation plans for all USG agency surveillance and epidemiologic studies activities in Tanzania.
3. Job holder serves as a member and advisor on the MOHSW surveillance sub-committee for coordination of surveillance and epidemiologic studies issues on a national level. The sub-committee assesses program needs and issues at the local level and communicates these needs/issues to the national level and ensures consistency in the implementation of best practices for HIV, TB and STI surveillance on a national level and recommends revisions to policies and guidelines.

Management and Oversight 
40%

1. Provides epidemiological and research design technical assistance and oversight to the MOHSW and other partners in the implementation of HIV surveillance programs, including epidemiologic studies and surveys for HIV/AIDS, TB, and STIs, design and implementation of public health evaluations, population and facility surveys, and in the development of health management information systems. Ensures that supported activities at multiple delivery sites conform to national standards, guidelines, and CDC technical strategies in all aspects of program activities. Identifies and corrects problems, barriers, and issues impeding the effective implementation of surveillance and epidemiologic studies program activities. Serves as an expert technical resource in the specialized programmatic area to the Government of Tanzania. Serves as an expert technical resource in developing master’s level epidemiology training programs with the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences.
2. Develops and maintains effective liaisons with senior staff in implementing partner organizations to ensure that timelines and quality standards for implementation of program activities are met. Oversees the research design and implementation of surveys and epidemiologic study protocols in consultation with MOHSW, NACP and ZACP partners. Identifies staff training needs in implementing partner organizations and facilitates and participates in the planning and development of training programs, teaching modules, manuals, and educational materials to address identified needs. Builds staff capacity through mentoring. Keeps up to date with scientific developments, innovations, best practices and new approaches in area of expertise.
3. Participates in the design and development of study protocols and program guidelines. Provides expert advice and technical assistance to MOHSW and other in-country partners in the development of policy, guidelines, design and protocols for surveillance projects and studies. Collaborates with CDC Atlanta and local partners to ensure that all appropriate programmatic activities and study protocols meet human subjects requirements and pass through ethical review.
4. Provides technical assistance to MOHSW and collaborating partners in data management and statistical analysis for program and research data arising from collaborative work. Works as a data management lead for data arising from HIV/AIDS activities carried out in collaboration between CDC and MOHSW in Tanzania. Provides technical assistance to ensure that data arising from these program activities is incorporated into required reports in an accurate and timely manner.
5. The incumbent will provide supervision, leadership and guidance to the surveillance program officer in the development, refinement, revision, implementation and overall management of surveillance programs, epidemiologic studies, and public health evaluation activities. The incumbent develops work plans, monitors performance, and oversees training, mentoring and professional development of the surveillance program officer.

Monitoring and Evaluation
30%

1. Provides leadership and technical oversight to the MOHSW and other partners in the design and implementation of tools, reporting instruments, and systems to effectively monitor and evaluate surveillance projects and epidemiologic study program activities. Serves as a programmatic resource in the design and development of information systems and databases to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of surveillance and public health evaluation programs.
2. Coordinates with the Monitoring and Evaluation Team Lead to ensure effective liaisons for partner monitoring and validation of data reported by implementing partners.
3. Maintains effective liaisons with senior partner staff to ensure that partners meet monitoring requirements for supported cooperative agreement activities (e.g., quarterly reports, continuation applications, and supplemental applications). Reviews status of cooperative agreement expenditures for prevention activities in relation to planned budgets.
4. Analyzes and evaluates surveillance program activities, epidemiologic studies, and information systems and writes reports on findings for publication in scientific journals and presentation at national and international conferences and meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

1. Education:
   Graduation from an accredited university with a doctoral level degree in epidemiologic, biostatistics, public health or a related field is required.
2. Experience:
   A minimum of 5 years of experience in public health programs, epidemiologic, and/or statistics in Tanzania. At least 2-3 years of experience must include work with large databases or information systems, designing and implementing evaluations, and 2-3 years of supervisory experience or experience providing guidance and direction to subordinate is required.
3. Language:
   Level IV (fluent) speaking and written communication in English and Kiswahili is required. (This will be tested)
4. Skills and Abilities:
   Excellent writing skills and computer skills is required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: The complete position description listing all of the duties and responsibilities can be obtained on our website and/or by contacting the Human Resources OfficeDarRecruitment@state.gov. 

HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:  Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

1. AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. FS on LWOP**

* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility.  If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process.  Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.

HOW TO APPLY:  Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered.  Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources.  (See “For Further Information” above);
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. resume, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
3. Copy of Form VI and Secretarial studies Certificate.
4. For Tanzanian Nationals:  Copy of Passport, or National ID, or Voter ID
5. For Other Nationals: please attach current Resident/Work Permit and copy of valid Passport. 

WHERE TO APPLY:  Effective immediately only online applications will be accepted via DarRecruitment@state.gov

Applicants MUST follow instructions in the notice on the website.
When sending an online application, please indicate the position title in the subject line.
Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.