Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organization: African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)
Deadline: June 20, 2025
Job Description
Department: Africa CDC Headquarters
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.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) was officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 31, 2017. The Africa CDC is Africa’s first continent-wide public health agency and 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 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 programmes.
The Saving Lives and Livelihoods (SLL) program is a strategic partnership among Africa CDC, the African Union Member States, and the Mastercard Foundation. The main objective of the programme during Phase I was to acquire vaccines against COVID-19 and to vaccinate vulnerable groups as a priority, while reaching millions of other people across the continent. The program also laid the foundations for local vaccine production in Africa, with a particular focus on human capital development and capacity building at Africa CDC. In Phase II of the programme, the partnership has revised its objectives, with a focus on geo-mapping, vaccination of health workers and priority groups, and integrating COVID-19 management into routine immunization.
Additionally, the initiative aims to prepare for future pandemics by investing in genomic
sequencing, enhancing bioinformatics laboratories, supporting local vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic manufacturing, and strengthening the Africa CDC’s capacity.
Africa CDC now invites applicants who are citizens of African Union Member States to apply for the position of Programme Officer-Technical Assistance Team for the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Programme.
1. Post
Job title: Programme Officer-Technical Assistance Team (Saving Lives and
Livelihoods)
Number of posts: 1 (one)
Supervisor: Senior Technical Officer for NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Purpose
Under the supervision of the Senior Technical Officer for NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health, the Programme Officer for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support will provide technical guidance to support conceptualization and implementation of the overall Africa CDC NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health Strategy with a focus on the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into emergency preparedness and response within AU Member States and holistic Non Communicable Diseases and Injuries.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Officer will be responsible for the following:
• Support the implementation of Africa CDC NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health strategy and existing programs and initiatives at Africa CDC aiming at promoting Mental health and
psychosocial support on the continent.
• Support the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Africa CDC
Mental health and psychosocial support projects and the integration of MHPSS into the
African Volunteers Health Corps amongst other existing projects,
• Support the implementation of policies to strengthen existing and establishing Mental
health prevention and control programs in Member States; including advancing multi
sectoral action for mental health promotion.
• Support the implementation of inter-country collaboration on Mental Health surveillance
monitoring and reporting, including data sharing and use and promote engagement of
countries as per the Africa CDC continental guidance on strengthening surveillance
systems for NCDs, Injuries and Mental health prevention and control.
• Regional and inter-regional prevention and control activities and programs; Support the
processes of strengthening quality of data collection, management, analysis and reporting
as per the Africa CDC continental guidance on strengthening surveillance systems for
NCDs, Injuries and Mental health prevention and control.
• Work with Member States to support the process of improving Africa CDC access to
mental health education, knowledge and human resource development and capacity
building through coordination, collaboration and technical assistance.
• Support efforts to strengthen National Public Health Institute capacity for integrating
Mental health into mainstream primary health care and Mental Health Psychosocial
Support (MHPSS) into emergency response plans for Member States.
• Manage the daily activities within the Mental Health Unit and work closely with other units at the division of Disease Control and Prevention to identify and build cross-sectoral
programming.
• Develop, review, and disseminate guidelines, standards of practice, protocols and other
tools to improve quality delivery in Member States through the continental network of
Mental health leads,
• Provide logistic and technical support for information sharing and training activities
regional meetings, and other onsite trainings and workshops.
• Performs any other relevant functions as assigned by the Supervisor.
Qualifications and work experience:
- Master’s Degree in public health, epidemiology, medicine, health science, health services research or related field with at least two (2) years of professional experience.
OR
- Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, medicine, health science, health services research or related field with at least five (5) years of experience.
Required Experience:
• Technical skills and experience in supporting public health programs with special emphasis on Mental health in Africa, epidemiology and surveillance, health information systems and related workforce capacity development.
• Resourceful and skilled 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.
• Knowledge of public health programs, health sciences research and health systems
strengthening, and experience in supporting projects and programs under government
ministries and external donors.
• Familiarity with administrative and management practice and processes typically
employed by public health and other public sector programs, particularly in the context of
emergency response.
• Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of operations of the Africa CDC,
Regional Collaborating Centers National Public Health Institutes.
• Knowledge of public health issues in Africa and previous experience working in Africa.
• Knowledge of oral communication techniques and skill in presentation delivery, program
consultation and credible verbal response to inquiries.
• Skills in translating technical information into presentations, briefings and reports and
funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
• Understanding of the African Union way of working and managing associated relationships with Member State entities and partners.
Required Competencies and Skills:
A. Functional Skills
• Knowledge of public health principals and practice as they relate to the implementation
of public health programs and service delivery.
• Diplomatic, representational, interpersonal and communication skills, including
experience successfully interacting with stakeholders and decision-makers in technical
and other professional settings.
• Collect, analyze, and use data to recommend, make and communicate decisions of a
technical nature to both scientific and lay audiences.
• Technical and scientific writing skills, in addition to narrative and financial reporting
skills.
• Translate technical information into presentations, briefings and report and funding
proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
• Project planning and management skills for organizing, planning and executing public
health projects from conception through implementation.
• Demonstrated ability with regard to computer skills, particularly with statistical and other analytic tools, e.g., R and State, and with office software applications such as MS Excel, Power Point and Word.
B. Personal Abilities
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to use clear, concise language in correspondence as well as including
content fitting for the purpose and audiences when preparing written briefs and reports.
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and works well under pressure Able to operate in
a multicultural environment.
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team-spirit.
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient and flexible.
• Pro-active and solutions oriented.
Language Requirement
- Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Kiswahili and Portuguese) is required. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be an added advantage.
Tenure of Appointment
The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract up to December 2025, of which the first three 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$ 31,073 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g.
Post adjustment (ranges from 42% – 57% of basic salary as per the Duty Station), Housing allowance ranges from US$ 16,819.80 – US$24,561.00 (per annum), education allowance (100% of tuition and other education related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10, 000.00 per child per annum), etc. for internationally recruited staff.
How to apply:
Submit your resume, application letter, and relevant documentation to:
• The Administration & Human Resource Office
• African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)
• https://recruitment.afenet.net and a copy on Email: sec@afenet.net. – REF: AFE\POTAT\10062025 (MUST Appear in Email Title for the position of Programme Officer – Technical Assistance Team)
*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)
Friday June 20, 2025
Note: More details about this position can be obtained from our website: www.afenet.net.
