Epidemiologists at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

EPIDEMIOLOGIST

MAIN PURPOSE
Carry out investigation, implement assessment and epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring (if needed) according to MSF protocols in order to contribute to appropriate evidence-based decision making using well managed health data in outbreak and emergency MSF programs.


ACCOUNTABILITIES
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 Jakusko.
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 (HIS) and support analysis of this data.
Monitor data quality in data collection tools used (HIS) through follow up with appropriate staff on missing, erroneous and duplicate data, correcting data errors in a timely manner, and liaising/training with staff to ensure data integrity is maintained.
Ensure timely reporting for monthly and quarterly indicators.
Support preparation for Health Management Information System (HMIS) implementation with the support of the HMIS department in HQ.
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 programme improvement, and sharing with the medical coordinator on a weekly basis.
Ensure external data management tools (e.g MOH, 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
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 (not in public health).

Experience
At least few years of tropical medicine experience (having assumed coordination position is a plus).
Experience in field epidemiology

Languages           
Mission working language essential.

KNOWLEDGE
Use of epidemiology related analytical software (excel, Epi-info, STATA or SPSS).

COMPETENCIES
Commitment to MSF’s Principles
Cross-cultural Awareness
Behavioral Flexibility
Stress Management
Results and Quality Orientation
Service Orientation
Initiative and Innovation
Teamwork and Cooperation
People Management and Development.

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS:
English spoken and written.
Good computer skills (excel, word, outlook is an advantage).
Capacity to work as a team, respectful and good working attitude.
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
 Identification with Humanitarian, Cross Cultural Awareness, Self-Control, Quality and Results Orientation, Commment, Stress Management.

TO APPLY
Applicants should send CVs to msfe-abuja-recruitment@barcelona.msf.org