JOB DESCRIPTION. Job title: Epidemiologist Location: Maputo, Mozambique frequent visits to Provinces

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION Job title: Epidemiologist Location: Maputo, Mozambique frequent visits to Provinces Department: Technical Length of contract: 4 years Role type: National Grade: 9 Travel involved: Up to 40% domestic Child safeguarding level: TBC Reporting to: Line manager: Country Technical Coordinator (CTC) Direct reports: None Dotted line manager: Head of M&E Organisational background Established in 2003, Malaria Consortium is one of the world s leading non-profit organisations specialising in the comprehensive prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable and under privileged populations. We increasingly find our work on malaria can be effectively integrated with other similar public health interventions for greater impact and therefore expanded our remit to include child health and neglected tropical disease interventions. We work in Africa and Asia with communities, governments, academic institutions, and local and international organisations, to ensure effective delivery of services, which are supported by strong evidence. Our areas of expertise include: disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment disease control and elimination systems strengthening research, monitoring and evaluation leading to best practice behaviour change communication national and international advocacy and policy development 1

2 Country and project background Malaria Consortium began working in Mozambique in 2005, supporting the development of distribution systems for long lasting insecticidal nets in the country. Our work grew from there to focus on public health communications that sought to increase malaria awareness and preventive behaviours, particularly among school children and teachers. Using malaria as an entry point, we expanded into integrated community health projects that focused on diagnosing and treating the most common childhood illnesses mainly malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea. Throughout, we have consistently strived to integrate our work into government-led health programmes and ensure sustainability. Malaria Consortium Mozambique has 4 operating offices, located in Maputo (Head Office), Inhambane, Nampula and Niassa, with allocated projects. These projects range from national level policy support to direct implementation of control programmes for malaria, tuberculosis, diarrhoea diseases and neglected tropical diseases. Malaria Consortium is leading a consortia of organisations on a project to Achieve malaria elimination through strengthening malaria surveillance in Southern Mozambique. This is a 4 years Gates-funded initiative which aims at providing the national Malaria Control Program (NMCP) with support from implementing partners to transform surveillance into a core intervention and to outline a phased approach for attaining elimination in Mozambique. This project is in partnership with CISM, and WHO. The project will be implemented in 3 provinces of southern Mozambique, namely Gaza, Inhambane Maputo City and Maputo Province. Malaria Consortium will implement in Maputo province, Maputo City and Inhambane whilst CISM implements in Gaza with technical support from Malaria Consortium. Job purpose As part of the malaria elimination country team, the epidemiologist will provide technical support in strengthening surveillance systems at all levels, contribute to improved monitoring and evaluation, and generation and analysis of data from routine information systems at various administrative levels. The Epidemiologist will work closely with and provide technical guidance project partners to achieve the goals set by the grant as well as provide support to the overall national malaria programme and strategy. Responsibilities will also include providing support in setting up relevant operational research and to support manuals and guidelines writing. He/she will provide technical support to Malaria Consortium activities in Mozambique and will work under the line management of the Country Technical Coordinator in Mozambique. Scope of work The position will work actively with NMCP and project partners regarding harmonisation of malaria indicators and surveillance activities to be incorporated in an integrated malaria information system through regular meetings covering surveillance, data management and data use (e.g. Technical Working Groups). However, key internal technical oversight is necessary, including but not limited to: Country Technical Coordinator (in-country); Project Coordinator (in-country); and Principal Investigator (in-country). 2

3 The Epidemiologist will provide technical oversight to the project to see that sound technical approaches are used throughout different provinces and approaches and tools aligned across provinces and technical partners involved, so that technical quality is assured. He/she will also need to keep up-to-date with technical developments in malaria surveillance and elimination and work closely with the Head of Surveillance and M&E to see that the strategic approach of the project is at the cutting edge of malaria surveillance. Key working relationships This position necessitates management of multiple ongoing working relationships. Externally, the role primarily facilitates a close partnership with NMCP (particularly at province and district levels) and partners, and regular interaction with all representatives is crucial to executing the position s key responsibilities. Internally, communication with the technical team and various other programme teams is essential. Key accountabilities Technical support to Elimination project s data management and analyses (80%) Support development of a Data to Action Framework across all levels of the malaria information system Conduct routine data analyses of malaria key indicators to inform progress and identification of areas that need follow up through working groups, stakeholder s meeting, etc. Provide regular support to the national programme to improve and strengthen the overall Malaria Information System (MIS) in Mozambique Provide support for the harmonization of routine monthly reporting of malaria community health workers and health facility data, and integration of village-level data through a central Malaria Database and providing data quality assurance Support coordination of use of malaria epidemiological data by gathering key indicators and support NMCP to present them in a succinct clear way according to the needs Provide ongoing technical advice on use of relevant data by counselling on best strategies to target specific identified problems from malaria reported data Support the development of tools and evidence needed for project reports either through creation of graphics/tables/maps or through support of protocol designs and research project follow up Assist in the implementation and design of operational research activities as identified to test new strategies and systems for surveillance Maintain regular coordination with key partners for data harmonisation and flow between various sectors and sources Support capacity-building, through training and systems support in relevant areas, including systems usage surveillance, epidemiology, and monitoring and evaluation Support preparation of and participation in relevant project meetings and workshops, including information dissemination and updates Support and assess the need for other relevant activities as identified by Country Technical Coordinator Strategy and Representation (20%) In collaboration with the Country Director, Country Technical Coordinator, and Project Coordinator, contribute to the development and implementation of MC Mozambique strategy 3

4 Represent and promote Malaria Consortium as a quality partner and specialised technical agency at every opportunity Support documentation and dissemination of results through technical reports, presentations, and publications Contribute to preparation of donor reports and assessment of progress of projects Represent Malaria Consortium at appropriate international and national technical discussions and meetings Support the capacity development of the Mozambique country team Person specification Qualifications and experience: Essential Graduate degree in epidemiology, public health, or other related fields with at least 5 years of relevant experience Experience working at the national level on health systems management and coordinating with both governmental (e.g. Ministry of Health) and technical partners Experience in leading ongoing data analysis for relevant use for malaria control/elimination programs, key indicators and data visualization tools Strong analytical skills in monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects; Fluency in Portuguese and English required Desirable Degree in systems management and/or database management Experience working with solutions for vector-borne or communicable diseases, specifically for malaria Experience of working in Mozambique Understanding of operational disease surveillance methodology Familiarity with statistical analysis and software packages such as STATA, EpiData, and SPSS Work-based skills: Essential Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team in a challenging context with fluctuating external conditions Demonstrated capacity to summarize and present in succinct way health data with significant relevance and focused on the operational context that data is trying to capture. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to work and interact with government and non-government colleagues and partners Demonstrated skills in effective verbal and written communication, particularly for technical content Experience in programme or project management, particularly for national monitoring and evaluation progress 4

5 Desirable Capacity to manage several sources of information Experience with proposal writing Results-oriented approach Creative thinker, keen to be at the cutting edge of public health practice Ability to communicate with impact and respect Ability to manage resources to optimize results Good advocacy skills Core competencies: Delivering results LEVEL C - Supports others to achieve results Displays a positive and enthusiastic approach and is not deterred by setbacks, finding alternative ways to reach goals or targets Supports others to plan and deliver results Supports others to manage and cope with setbacks Analysis and use of information LEVEL C - Works confidently with complex data to support work Interprets complex written information Works confidently with data before making decisions: for example, interpreting trends, issues and risks Acquainted with the validity, relevance and limitations of different sources of evidence Interpersonal and communications LEVEL C - Adapts communications effectively Tailors communication (content, style and medium) to diverse audiences Communicates equally effectively at all organisational levels Understands others underlying needs, concerns and motivations and communicates effectively in sensitive situations Resolves intra-team and inter-team conflicts effectively Collaboration and partnering LEVEL B - Collaborates effectively across teams Proactive in providing and seeking support from expert colleagues Raises difficult issues with teams/ partners and stakeholders with a view to positive resolution Proactive in building a rapport with a diverse range of people 5

6 Leading and motivating people LEVEL C - Effectively leads and motivates others or direct reports Gives regular, timely and appropriate feedback Acknowledges good performance and deals with issues concerning poor performance Carries out staff assessment and development activities conscientiously and effectively Develops the skills and competences of others through the development and application of skills Coaches and supports team members when they have difficulties Flexibility/ adaptability LEVEL B - Remains professional under external pressure Able to adapt to changing situations effortlessly Remains constructive and positive under stress and able to tolerate difficult situations and environments Plans, prioritises and performs tasks well under pressure Learns from own successes / mistakes Living the values LEVEL B - Promotes Malaria Consortium values amongst peers Shows a readiness to promote Malaria Consortium s values amongst peers Promotes ethical and professional behaviour in line with Malaria Consortium s values Strategic planning and thinking and sector awareness LEVEL C - Keeps up to date with the internal and external environment Takes into account economic, political and other business factors when drawing up medium and long term plans, covering both public and private sectors Looks beyond the immediate operations to prospects for new business Engages with appropriate internal and external sources to establish major influences on future plans 6