Surveillance Technical Officer at PATH

We are seeking the Surveillance technical officer who will be responsible for supporting the technical and operational activities of the surveillance systems component of the USAID Usalama wa Afya Duniani project to ensure improvement in timely disease detection, reporting and response including outbreaks, laboratory-surveillance data exchange, ensure understanding of local microbial epidemiology and addressing quality assurance issues.

Under the supervision of Surveillance Lead, s/he will support an integrated surveillance system that captures zoonotic diseases data from human and animal health sectors to detect significant events and analyze disease trends for consumption and inform policy decision. S/he will work with stakeholders for better integration of epidemiological and laboratory data and strengthen collaboration and communication across sectors.

Additionally, the role involves participating in planning sessions, assisting in data management and analysis, and performing other assigned duties to meet project targets and deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

• Build capacity for national and subnational staff for strengthening coordination mechanism on disease surveillance strengthening and integrating epidemiological and laboratory data for early detection, reporting, and response across human, animal, and environmental health sectors
• Participating in workshops and other platforms to identify interoperability requirements and ensure surveillance data/events are integrated with laboratory results and reported in real-time at both intermediate and national levels
• Support the creation and operationalization of a digital platform for visualizing prioritized epidemic, zoonotic, and AMR data.
• Provide logistics and technical support for operationalization of national laboratory information management system (LIMS) sub-TWGs in human and animal health sectors and efforts to create interoperability between LIMS and electronic Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response (e-IDSR) through HIM
• Provide logistics and technical support for adoption and operationalizing the 7-1-7 strategy based on potential risks.
• Support training and meetings to ensure the rolling out of electronic event-based surveillance (e-EBS) in selected councils for early detection, reporting, and response to health threats and increasing e-EBS uptake
• Provide logistics and technical support for the implementation of a multi-hazard public health emergency response plan and related hazard-specific plans.
• Provide logistics and technical support in strengthening multiple pathogen sentinel surveillance and early warning systems.
• Supporting the government in creating linkage between veterinary and human electronic Event-Based Surveillance (eEBS) systems at the intermediate and community level
• Support and capacitate subnational multisectoral Rapid Response Teams (RRT) for early detection, reporting, and during response activities
• Provide logistics and technical support to strengthen national and subnational emergency operating centers’ (EOC) capacities and incident management systems.
• In collaboration with MoH, provide technical support to PORALG for establishing sub-national EOCs and strengthening capacity.
• Support collection and analysis of data for multisectoral risk communication and community engagement including working with Tanzania Metrological Agency (TMA) to access climate data and developing national staff capacity for climate-sensitive preparedness planning.
• Participate in joint planning sessions, provide updates on project milestones, and seek feedback to continuously improve surveillance systems and practices.
• Assist in data management and analysis, review, and interpretation of project results. Reviews deliverables for completeness, accuracy, and continuous quality improvement.
• Compile quarterly reports, submit and present to the stakeholders and donors.
• Support the Surveillance Lead in the preparations and coordination of International Regulations 2005 (IHR-2005) technical working group (TWG) workshops
• Provide technical writing inputs, documentation of project activities, and support monitoring and evaluation
• Any other duty as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Doctor of Medicine degree or bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline, Veterinary Medicine, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Lab Management, Public Health, or a related field.
• MSc. in Epidemiology, Public Health and/or microbiology will be an added advantage
• At least 5 years of experience of implementing laboratory and surveillance systems strengthening programs or a related area.
• Demonstratable knowledge of surveillance systems, protocols, outbreak investigations, laboratory policies and guidelines
• Experience in conducting training and capacity building.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment.

PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.