*The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Epidemiologist – Project Coordinator within its Public Health Division located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.*
Description
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The Public Health Division (PHD) supports members in developing healthier Pacific Island communities by providing assistance in public health surveillance, and in the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The primary focus of the division is to provide scientific and technical assistance and to support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goals for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, help communities prevent disease and restore and/or maintain health, and reduce inequalities in health. PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than providing individual treatment services. PHD is comprised of three programmes: Surveillance, Preparedness and Response (SPR), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Prevention and Control; and Clinical Services (CS). This position is located within the Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme.
The role – The Epidemiologist – Project Coordinator *–* will strengthen and contribute to public health surveillance, research and response in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and the Pacific region through: (1) capacity enhancement and competency building on data utilization and epidemiology; (2) enhanced surveillance system and activities, including but not limited to, mass gatherings in the Pacific; (3) collaborative conduct of operational/implementation research studies with PICTs; (4) strengthening preparedness and response to public health threats or events through application of epidemiological skills. The position will work with Fiji National University and with other stakeholders in the delivery of the SHIP-DDM programme. The position will be supported with funds provided by the European Union.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
1. Team management, administration and communication
· Contributing to an environment that fosters effective and harmonious working relationships with PICTs and partner agencies in the implementation of the SHIP-DDM programme.
· Monitoring and evaluation of capacity development activities’ implementation.
· Providing technical inputs in the development of concept papers, protocols, and proposals.
· Contributing to programme, divisional and corporate publications and reports.
· Contribute to management, monitoring and reporting on utilization of funds.
2. Strengthen capacity for coordinated regional surveillance
· Guiding the assessments of public health information systems in PICTs.
· Developing capacity development plans for the implementation of SHIP-DDM in coordination with, or in consideration of, PHD and SPC’s programme activities, and the Pacific island countries and territories’ priorities.
· Supporting planning and scaling up training in field epidemiology.
· Supporting planning and building capacity in the conduct of operational research studies among PICT health professionals.
· Strengthening surveillance and response capacity at regional and national levels through system improvements.
3. Enhance evidence-based service delivery through research
· Consulting with crosscutting technical bodies within PHD and SPC to support the identified public health priorities in the SHIP-DDM course and develop joint approaches for action.
· Supervising the conduct of research activities as part of the output of PGDAE programme.
· Documenting the results of research studies, and findings presented in appropriate medium and forums.
4. Strengthen health information systems
· Developing in-country capacity to apply core epidemiologic skills in strengthening surveillance systems and activities that support timely reporting of PPHSN target diseases, syndromes, and public health events.
· Promotion and increased harmonisation of surveillance activities across PHD and SPC, and at regional and national levels in PICTs.
· Develop in-country capacity to systematically analyse health data to address specific health problems and use data for decision making and policy development.
5. Strengthen preparedness and response to public health threats or events
· Supporting the development and strengthening of in-country capacities in surveillance and response.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
1. Qualifications
• Masters-level qualification in public health, epidemiology, or related discipline.
2. Technical expertise
• Ten years prior experience in public health surveillance, including communicable and non-communicable disease surveillance.
• Experience in grant management and coordination.
• Experience in operational research and writing scientific reports and papers.
• Highly developed oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently (up to 30% of the time) in the Pacific region and international.
3. Language skills
• Good communication, written and oral, skills in English.
4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
• A team player, with the ability to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment.
• Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated understanding of developing country environments.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on performance and funding.
Remuneration – The Epidemiologist – Project Coordinator is a Band 11 position in SPC’s 2020 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 4,113–5,045 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 605,702–742,953 (USD 5,676-6,962; EUR 5,076–6,226). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.
Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance, and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Equal opportunity – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit; in cases where two short-listed candidates are judged to be of equal rank by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.
Child protection – SPC is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. SPC’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Police clearance – Successful candidates will be required to provide a police clearance certificate.**Languages** – SPC’s working languages are English and French.
How to apply:
Application procedure
Closing date: 31 May 2020 – 11:00 pm Noumea time
Job Reference: AL000286
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
· an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
· a cover letter detailing your skills and experience relative to the key selection criteria, and interest in this position
· responses to all screening questions
Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.
Screening questions
Describe your experience in designing training materials, developing training curriculum and in conducting an epidemiology-training course.
Describe your experience in working in the field in an outbreak management situation.
Describe your experience in using epidemiological evidence to inform policy formulation and decisions.