Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Deadline: Monday, January 22, 2024
Job Description
Background:
The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is a non-profit organization established in 2005 with a mission to improve human health through the strengthening and expansion of applied epidemiology and laboratory capacity in partnership with Ministries of Health, Non-Governmental Organizations, international agencies, private sector and other public health agencies. AFENET has its headquarters in Kampala, Uganda with operations in more than 30 African Countries.
The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.
Officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2017 as a specialized technical institution of the African Union, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is Africa’s first
continent-wide public health agency. Africa CDC envisions a safer, healthier, integrated and stronger
Africa, where Member States are capable of effectively responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. The agency’s mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health institutions’ capabilities to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other health burdens through an integrated network of continent-wide preparedness and response, surveillance, laboratory, and research programs. Towards meeting its mission, the Africa CDC will work with African Union (AU) Member States, WHO, and partners in the five geographic regions of the AU to strengthen their capacity in at least five strategic priority areas: (1) public health surveillance and disease intelligence; (2) public health emergency preparedness and response; (3) public health laboratory systems and networks; (4) public health information and technology systems; and (5) public health research and public health institutes.
The Africa CDC invites applications who are citizens of AU Member States to apply for the position of Principal Technical Officer: Community Health System.
Job title: Principal Technical Officer: Community Health System
Number of posts: 1 (one)
Grade: AU/P4 equivalency
Department: Community Health System Division
Supervisor: Head of Division, Community Health System
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job purpose:
The Principal Technical Officer, Community Health system will serve as a principal officer in the Division of Community System, Africa CDC to strengthen public health security by providing technical support to ensure a robust community health system across the continent for health system strengthening and disease/outbreak, pandemic response on the continent.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal technical Officer Community Health System shall perform the following major duties and responsibilities:
• Support the Head of Division in the Implementation of Africa CDC strategy for capacities building
of Member states, scaling-up, and strengthening of the Community Health Workforce on the
African continent.
• Support the engagement of stakeholders within Members States and RCCs in designing and
implementing strategies to develop community health components and programs.
• Support to coordinate efforts to develop Africa CDC legal frameworks, technical standards and
tools, and operational platforms and policies, guidance, mechanisms to guide and facilitate the
implementation, evaluation and provision of feedback on Infection Prevention & Control on the
continent as appropriate;
• Manage infectious diseases, implement operational strategic frameworks and monitor the
development and progress of operations, involving diverse stakeholders in situations requiring
innovative approaches for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority highthreat infectious hazards;
• Lead the CHW Unit Strategy development as part of the overall Africa CDC strategic plan
• Lead the advocacy and coordination role for harmonized approaches and optimal resource
utilization at Africa CDC, RCCs, Partners and Member States for strong and sustainable
Community Health Systems at all levels.
• Ensure coordination and provide advice on implementation and operational issues; contribute to
Africa CDC’s organization-wide work in the development, implementation and oversight of
Community Health Workers policies, strategies, programmes of work.
• Develop strategic partnerships and networks and oversee collaborations in developing and
operating Community Health Systems and manage the execution of community health systems
engagements, partners & project management.
Provide scientific and technical leadership, coordination and managerial support to Africa CDC Regional Collaborating Centers (RCCs) and National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) during an outbreak response by applying extensive medical epidemiology experience;
• Contributes to the Community Health Systems Programme of work by identifying research
priorities and developing research projects as well as related policies and strategies, within the
context of Africa CDC’s comprehensive work in Community Health Services.
• Lead the Community Health Systems project team to complete deliverables, reporting, budget, and
knowledge management for projects.
• Apply subject matter expertise and extensive writing expertise to the development of CH guidance
and policy documents at the continental level;
• Lead the Community Health Worker Unit Resource Mobilization through Community Health
System proposal’s development.
• Ensure the monitoring and reporting of outputs, outcomes, lessons learned, and challenges for
activities of the CHW unit of the Division of disease control and prevention.
• Undertake any other duties/responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.
• Manage infectious diseases, implement operational strategic frameworks and monitor the
development and progress of operations, involving diverse stakeholders in situations requiring
innovative approaches for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority highthreat infectious hazards;
• Lead the advocacy and coordination role for harmonized approaches and optimal resource
utilization at Africa CDC, RCCs, Partners and Member States for strong and sustainable
Community Health Systems at all levels.
• Ensure coordination and provide advice on implementation and operational issues; contribute to
Africa CDC’s organization-wide work in the development, implementation and oversight of
Community Health Workers policies, strategies, programmers of work.
Qualification and work experience required:
The minimum Academic qualification requirements are:
A postgraduate qualification in public health, epidemiology or infectious diseases with at least ten (10) years of continuous and combined experience in Community Health Systems strengthening, medical epidemiology, emergency preparedness and response, public health capacity building, reproductive health, Community Health Systems strengthening or other related public health programmed activities out of which 6 years at managerial level and 3 years at supervisory level.
Or
Candidates with a University degree and at least twelve (12) years of continuous and combined experience in Community Health Systems strengthening, medical epidemiology, emergency preparedness and response, public health capacity building, reproductive health or other related public health programme activities out of which 6 years at managerial level and 3 years at supervisory level.
Required Professional Work Experience:
• Strong scientific leadership with proven skills in facilitation and coordination of public health
programmes and motivating and developing people.
• Experience working with an international organization is a valuable asset.
• Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of operations of the Africa CDC, Regional
Collaborating Centers and National Public Health Institutes will be preferred.
• Clear understanding of the health systems on the Continent and fair knowledge of operations of the Ministries of Health in Member States.
• Knowledge and experience in supporting Community Health Systems strengthening, or other
public sector projects and programmes under government ministries and external donors.
• Knowledge of public health issues in Africa and a minimum of 7 years previous experience working
in Africa.
• Understanding of the African Union’s way of working and managing associated relationships with
Member States and partners will be a valuable asset.
Other Relevant Skills
Skills and competencies required:
Functional Skills:
• Technical expertise and experience in supporting public health programmes with special emphasis
on Community Health Systems strengthening.
• Resourcefulness and skills at collecting, analyzing and using data to recommend, make and
communicate decisions of a technical nature to both scientific and lay audiences.
• Strong technical and scientific writing skills, in addition to narrative and technical reporting skills.
• Skills in translating technical information into presentations, briefings and report and funding
proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
• Familiarity with administrative and management practice and processes typically employed by
public health and other public sector programmes.
• Skills and abilities to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals and
provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and
teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills and a proven ability to deliver under tight
deadlines and works well under pressure.
• Excellent skills and abilities applied to translating technical information into presentations,
briefings and report and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
• Knowledge of oral communication techniques and skill in presentation delivery, programme
consultation and credible verbal response to inquiries.
• Good interpersonal relationship practices and skills to meet and deal with persons of diverse
backgrounds.
• Demonstrable computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with
e-mail and internet applications and experience in using office software applications such as MS
Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
Language Requirement
Applicants must be proficient in at least one of the AU languages (Arabic, English, French, Spanish
and Portuguese). Knowledge of one or more additional African Union working languages would be an added advantage.
Tenure of Appointment
The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a
period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will
be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be renewed annually subject to
satisfactory performance and fund availability.
Gender Mainstreaming
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$42,879 (P4 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post
adjustment 46% of basic salary (US$19,724.34), Housing allowance of US$ 26,208.00 per annum. Thus, a total of U$88,811.34 per annum plus Gratuity of 15% of Gross Salary per annum.
How to apply:
Submit your resume, application letter, and relevant documentation to:
• The Administration & Human Resource Office
• African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)
Your Documents MUST be Submitted to:
- https://recruitment.afenet.net
AND COPY to - sec@afenet.net – REF: AFE\PTOCHS\01082024 (MUST Appear in Email Title for the position of Principal Technical Officer: Community Health System)
- Deadline – January 22, 2024
*ONLY successful candidates shall be contacted for an interview.
Please note that all applications should be sent online by close of business 5:30 pm (EAT) Monday
January 22, 2024
Note: More details about this position can be obtained from our website: www.afenet.net
