Technical Advisor: Field Epidemiology- I- TECH

Vacancy Announcement

Technical Advisor: Field Epidemiology

Program overview:

International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) Tanzania, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) through the Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), will implement an Intermediate course on Field Epidemiology. The goal of the intermediate course is to strengthen capacity of the workforce to conduct surveillance, outbreak investigation, epidemiologic research, and data-driven decision-making at all levels of the public health system with emphasis on the regional and district level in Tanzania. The Intermediate course is curriculum-based 6-9-month training that includes four 2-week in-class sessions didactic sessions and mentored field assignments that occur at the trainee’s worksite. The course has four cohorts of trainees and implemented until 2020. Cohort Two will begin in July 2017. The course aims to generating highly skilled field epidemiologists at the regional and district levels.

Position Description:    

The Field Epidemiology Technical Advisor (TA) will be responsible for ensuring successful implementation and evaluation of the FELTP Intermediate course. The TA will report directly the Principal Investigator, based at I-TECH Headquarters in Seattle, Washington. The TA will also work closely with the CDC Tanzania FELTP Resident Advisors and staff, I-TECH Tanzania staff, Seattle-based Senior Fellow/Epidemiologist, the Ministry of Health Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHDGEC), and other key stakeholders. 

Under direction from the Principal Investigator, the TA will be responsible for the following activities, including, but not limited to:

Technical Assistance, Collaboration, and Support (50%)

·         Ensure that all aspects of the standardized FELTP curriculum are implemented according to I-TECH/CDC/FELTP learning objectives, procedures, and timelines

·         Coordinate all didactic sessions and field activities, including guest lecturers and site visits

·         Lead in-class lectures and group exercises on surveillance systems, reporting, and outbreak investigation

·         Work with the Senior Fellow to manage the course website on Canvas  (an on-line learning management system)

·         Review homework and other written assignments and other reports during the course

·         Manage the implementation of final group project that aligns with the course objectives and public health need

·         Work with CDC FELTP to ensure all trainees receive training in outbreak investigation

·         Lead adaptions to course content and objectives based on pilot testing

·         Collaborate with CDC and MoHDGEC leadership to secure local accreditation of the course

·         Provide regular updates to I-TECH and CDC collaborators (Tanzania and US) and the MoHDGEC on course progress, and work together to address any technical or operational problems

·         Serve as a primary point of contact between and represent I-TECH and the Tanzania FELTP (FELTP) at stakeholder meetings and technical working groups

·         Coordinate human subjects ethical approval submissions

·         Lead the recruitment process for Cohorts 2-4

·         Collaborate closely with other I-TECH program teams to ensure efficient use of resources

Mentorship and Supportive Supervision (30%)

·         Provide supervision to trainees both in-class and in the field to ensure successful completion of assignments

·         Provide oversight and support to the trainees’ mentors, and help them to cultivate successful mentor-mentee relationships in-class and in the field

·         Work with Regional and District leadership and FELTP Tanzania to help foster a supportive work environment for the trainees’ to complete their field assignments successfully

·         Support trainees to develop scientific presentations at the end of the course

·         Work with I-TECH/CDC collaborators, FELTP, MOHCDGEC, and other local collaborators to establish a professional network to support the new cadre of graduates

Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (15%)

·         Collaborate with the Senior Fellow and CDC  to implement an evaluation of the FELTP Intermediate course

·         Contribute to quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports to I-TECH headquarters and donors

·         Give presentations to local and international audiences on the FELTP Intermediate course

·         Respond to other reporting requests from donors and stakeholders in a professional and timely manner

Other duties as assigned (5%)

·         Perform other duties as assigned by the I-TECH Program Director and Principal Investigator

Required Qualifications

·         Master’s Degree in Public Health  or equivalent advanced public health training

·         Graduation from a Field Epidemiology Training Program, OR at least 2 year of experience working in disease surveillance,  outbreak response, and/or observational epidemiology

·         Demonstrated management experience

·         Experience in training and mentorship

·         Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in written and oral formats

·         Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and respectively with diverse partners

·         Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adhere to timelines

·         Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, and sensitive to confidential information

·         Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

·         Familiarity with software for data analysis (e.g. SPSS, Epi Info, STATA)

·         Fluency in written and spoken English

·         Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of time

Desired Qualifications

·         Experience with adult education strategies and curriculum design

·         Experience conducting public health research and data analysis

·         Experience working in the Tanzanian public health system

·         Fluency in Kiswahili

DURATION                          1 Year, with the possibility of renewal based on performance

SALARY                                                Competitive salary, based on experience

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please submit a cover letter summarizing your interest and qualifications, Curriculum Vitae with three referees, and copies of highest degree earned by mail or email to the following address:

Human Resource: Email address: hr@itech-tanzania.org

International Training and Education Centre for Health-(I-TECH-Tanzania)

Mezzanine Floor, Plot 1127 Chole Road, Masaki, P.O.Box 72868,Dar es Salaam

Deadline for applications is 4:00 p.m. Monday 30th January 2017. Only shortlisted applicants will be acknowledged.