Technical Advisor | ReliefWeb

BACKGROUND: The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is a not for profit, networking alliance and service organization that brings together Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs) across Africa working alongside Ministries of Health, regional and international partners. AFENET works across 20 sub-Saharan Africa countries with a secretariat based in Kampala, Uganda.

AFENET in collaboration with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is engaged in a project with the South Sudan Ministry of Health that is aimed to develop human resources capacity for the national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).

AFENET seeks a Technical Advisor in Juba, South Sudan to support these activities. The candidate for the position will be placed in the Ministry of Health EPI programme, and coordinate ground activities related to the project.

RESPONSIBILITIES: All activities are taken in collaboration with the MOH Project Coordinator and close working relations with South Sudan WHO/EPI, UNICEF/EPI and other immunization partners. • Technical Advisor is responsible for the development and implementation of the capacity development EPI project. • Assumes overall responsibility for curriculum development and completes coursework to include the targeted field activities. • Develops the curriculum and training based on the desired competencies. • Develops mechanisms for assessing ongoing student progress including formal assessments at 3-month intervals, and at the completion of the internship. • Delineates the desired competencies for the 4 cadre of staff; notwithstanding input from applicable partners. • Provides on-going support to the MOH Project Coordinator on the supervision of the mentors and mentees. • Plans a refresher training for the mentors before the pilot commences. • Leads the monitoring and evaluation of project activities. • Has primary responsibility for documenting and reporting on the project. • Provides regular feedback to the MOH Project Coordinator, and coordinates all in-country activities in South Sudan. • Other duties, as assigned.

KEY COMPETENCIES: • Knowledge and experience of EPI programmes in sub-Sahara Africa. • Experience working within and closely collaborating with Ministries of Health, WHO, UNICEF and other global partners. • Has knowledge, skills and or experience working on capacity-building. • Strong organizational and communication skills. • Ability to provide feedback on a frequent basis to supervising and collaborating staff in the MOH/EPI, CDC Atlanta, WHO South Sudan and AFENET, Uganda. • Highly motivated, welcomes challenges, has positive attitude, strong work ethic and works well in teams.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: • A Masters’ Degree in Public Health, Statistics, Social Sciences, Development Studies or relevant discipline. • Demonstrable and proven practical experience of at least five (5) years of Post Graduate practice in overseeing or implementing public health or development programs. • Proof of applied skills and experience in project management. • Experience working collaboratively with government ministries and partner agencies as WHO and UNICEF and NGOs. • Knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases, surveillance and immunization programs, particularly in Africa, would be an advantage.