Under the technical supervision of the Surveillance Coordinator and administratively under the Federal Polio Team Leader, with the overall supervision of the WHO Representative, the National Surveillance Coordinator will undertake the following duties
Major Duties and Responsibilities
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- To provide strategic guidance to the state level and district teams on all aspects of poliovirus surveillance.
- To ensure all districts, regions and states develop Annual and Quarterly Work Plans.
- To ensure all districts, regions and states have and submit monthly activity plans to respective supervisors and to the Federal Office.
- To plan regular evaluations and review of program and assist the federal surveillance lead in policy guidance.
- To conduct regular supportive supervisory visits to the states and ensure implementation of planned surveillance activities at all levels and strict adherence to SOPs, guidelines and protocols.
- To assure a line list of AFP cases is maintained by each district and an updated list is sent to the state each week, and that a computerized line list of all cases from each district is maintained in the state and provided to the Federal level weekly.
- To compile surveillance indicators for each state for use in improving AFP and Measles surveillance.
- Regularly monitor the quality of surveillance data in your state of responsibility.
- Participate actively in the detailed epidemiological investigations of AFP cases which are of concern like urgent cases and cases with zero dose status.
- Ensure the achievement and/or maintenance of certification standards for AFP surveillance system; supervise implementation of active surveillance and routine reporting.
- Transfer knowledge and skills to district, regional and state surveillance teams through trainings and direct coaching.
- Participate in meetings of the Provincial Expert Committee to review AFP cases, requiring expert review; provide strategic guidance to the Committee.
- Assist in coordinating surveillance activities with NGOs and other groups working with minority populations such as within IDP camps.
- Participate in the planning and implementation of AFP surveillance training workshops within the state for Ministry of Health staff, private sector health care practitioners, NGOs and district polio officers in the state.
- Support the environmental surveillance for polioviruses including:
- providing assistance to the districts in the selection of the sites for environmental surveillance, in coordination with the National Technical Team;
- monitor the receipt of the samples as per schedule, while keeping a liaison with the national level.
- provide feedback to the states.
- Assist in preparing / performing situational analyses and reports for the advisory bodies and other organizations / institutions.
- Support the establishment/strengthening of an integrated communicable disease surveillance system at the state level.
- In addition to polio, ensure that all other disease surveillance activities are coordinated and streamlined including but not only Measles and COVID-19.
- Work closely with Public Health Emergency officers in ensuring surveillance and response activities are integrated.
- Support SSOs and DPOs as part of the state and district RRT respectively to perform their function effectively as per the requirements of integrated functions.
- Undertake any other task, duty and/or activity assigned by supervisor and/or WHO Representative.
Qualifications
Educational background
Essential: Medical degree. Public health or epidemiology training is mandatory.
Desirable:
Professional experience and knowledge
Essential: At least 3 years experience in public health and especially surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, and disease prevention and control activities.
Experience in complex emergency situations and disease outbreaks.
Knowledge and experience with management and community-based health care programs.
Able and available to travel across all states on planned and emergency missions without restrictions.
Desirable:
Language Skills
Essential: Fluency in local language and a good knowledge of English.
Good understanding of data analysis and epidemiological software.
Good computer ability, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other programs.
Must be a Somalian national
Desirable:
Competencies
Describe the core, management competencies required – See WHO competency model – list in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones.
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- Teamwork*
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*
- Communication*
*4. Producing Results
Functional Knowledge and Skill
*Describe the essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position
- Broad knowledge of EPI strategies and policies and interventions.
- Ability to work well under pressure.
- Proven ability to take initiatives and make recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to assess and analyse data.
How to apply
Your application should be sent to the below email address, please indicate the title of the position you have applied in the email subject by close of business Tuesday 18 April 2023. It should include a cover letter & a detailed CV (as one document in PDF format) with your contact details.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Qualified Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.