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.
Africa CDC has been at the forefront of the continent’s fight against the pandemic. The agencyhas set a goal to vaccinate 60 percent the continent’s population before the end of 2024.
To achieve this ambitious and critical goal, the Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation are launching “Saving Lives and Livelihoods,” “partnership for COVID-19 Vaccination in Africa.” The planned Saving Lives and Livelihoods partnership is a unique initiative due to its scope and scale, the critical topics it focuses on, as well as the way it will be governed.
Africa CDC now invites applicants who are citizens of African Union Member States to apply for the position of Senior Behavioral Scientist for the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Programme.
1. Post
Job title: Senior Behavioral Scientist (Saving Lives and Livelihoods)
Number of posts: 1 (one)
Supervisor: Director Science and Innovation
Job Purpose
Under the supervision of the Director for Science and Innovation, this role will support the
application of behavioural science across the work of the Directorate for Science and Innovation. The post holder will work with the lead of health systems research, ethics and regulatory, clinical trials and development, to support the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of a range of social and behavioural initiatives.
The post holder will work on agreed priority projects under the direction of the Director for Science and Innovation contributing to:
- Qualitative and quantitative project assessment and evaluation including proposal development, data collection , management and analysis, and the drafting of reports
- Undertaking behavioural analyses including gathering and synthesising of current evidence from behavioural science, as well as local and national data to inform project design and development
- Contributing to co-creation activities that support strategy and policy development for thebenefit of programs
- Supporting the team to embed behavioural science within the directorate and other business initiatives
- Develop Social and behavioural science training materials and contribute to capacity building of continental pool of young researchers including opportunities for internship
Present research findings in diverse forums.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Behavioral Scientist will be responsible for the following:
• Work with programme/project teams to support robust project evaluations and directly
contribute to the application of behavioural science knowledge and skills to key priorities
and projects.
• Contribute to data analysis including pre-trial parameter setting (e.g. power analysis) and post-trial/programme hypothesis testing using recognised statistical software such as
MaxQDA, STATA, Epi and qualitative methods as use of NVIVO, NVivo, Atlas.ti,
MAXQDA, and Quirkos. as appropriate in collaboration with other business units and the
Head of Clinical Trials Research and Development
• Work with other business units to support the analysis local and national data e.g. demgraphics and other characteristics for the segmentation and targeting of interventions.
• Contribute expertise on the use of appropriate tools and resources by colleagues for the
application of effective behaviour change.
• Support a project management approach to the planning and delivery of programmes of
work.
• Develop an up-to-date knowledge of current and emerging issues, tools and techniques in the behavioural science field and alongside good practice inform future policy and strategy adoption development
• Support the generation of technical reports and publications for scientific and professional audiences under the guidance of the Science Writers.
• Work with Senior colleagues in the directorate to identify priorities and ensure effective
management of workload.
• Participate in reflective practice as part of own professional development and maintain
professional registration including requirements for continuing professional development
as appropriate.
• Undertake additional duties, in agreement with the line manager and consistent with the
grade of the post.
• Provide excellent written and verbal communication skills and present complex
information in an accessible format.
• Provide high quality research and information support, including commissioning research, and presenting this either verbally or in writing
• Support the exploration of research collaborations that further behavioural science
application across other business units
• Support the development, implementation and maintenance of a culture and framework for innovation, continuous improvement, and learning
• Ensure that equalities, diversity and cohesion are considered within behavioural science
projects and reports.
Qualifications and work experience:
- A Master’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Cultural studies, Behavioural Economics, and Social sciences with 7 years of professional experience and 3 years at a supervisory level.
OR
- A Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Cultural studies, Behavioural Economics, and Social sciences with 10 years of professional experience and 3 years at a supervisory level.
- A PHD will be an added advantage
Functional Skills:
• Proven experience in the application of behavioral insights to public health
• Experience in research, implementation and/or evaluation of policies and programme
informed by behavioral insights and sciences
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including experience with successfully
interacting with stakeholders and decision-makers in technical and other professional
settings
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Demonstrated project planning and management skills for organizing, planning and
executing projects from conception through implementation.
• Skills in translating highly technical information into presentations, briefings and report
and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences
• Excellent computer skills, including word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail
and internet applications, experience in using office software applications such as MS
Excel, Power Point and Word
Leadership Competencies
• Strategic Perspective
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk
• Managing multicultural teams
Core Competencies
• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact.
Functional Competencies
• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fosters Innovation
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$ 37,453 (P3 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\SBS\10062025 (MUST Appear in Email Title for the position of Senior Behavioral Scientist)
*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.
