JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Epidemiologist (Noumea) French and English-speaking Work Unit: Public Health Division (PHD), Research Evidence and Information (REI) programme, Surveillance and Operational Research (SOR) team. The position will be based in the PHD office in Noumea Responsible To: Surveillance and Operational Research (SOR) Team Leader Responsible For: No staff reports to this position Job Purpose: Strengthen and contribute to disease surveillance and response in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) through: 1) the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) functions and capacity building program; 2) the enhanced surveillance activities during Mass Gatherings in the Pacific; 3) contributing to the PHD operational research plan; and 4) supporting the SOR Team, the REI Program and the PHD strategy (2013-2022). Date: February 2016 Background The Public Health Division (PHD) employs around 35 staff based in Noumea, Suva, Honiara and Pohnpei. It supports members in developing healthier Pacific Island people and communities by providing assistance in public health surveillance, and prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The primary focus of the division is to provide scientific and technical assistance and to support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goals for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, prevent disease and injury, restore and/or maintain health and reduce inequalities in health. PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than individual treatment services. The new PHD Strategic Plan, Healthy Island, Healthy People 2013 2022, has three priority areas for intervention: NCD prevention and control, communicable disease surveillance and response and STI prevention and control. The PHD is comprised of two programmes: Research, Evidence and Information (REI) Programme and Policy, Planning and Regulation (PPR) Programme. The current position is located within the REI Programme. RESEARCH EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION PROGRAMME The REI Programme includes three teams: the Surveillance and Operational Research (SOR) team, the laboratory strengthening team, and the preparedness and response team. Most of the REI Program s activities are carried out in relation to the framework of the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN). The REI Programme is the focal point for the PPHSN Coordinating Body. Working jointly with a number of partners, in particular the World Health Organization (WHO), Fiji National University (FNU), the Pacific Islanders Health Officers Association (PIHOA), and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the REI Programme contributes to supporting countries and the region in addressing priorities to reduce the overall impact and burden of outbreak- and non-outbreak-prone diseases Page 1
through surveillance, operational research, prevention, preparedness, response, and monitoring and evaluation. The REI Programme works across cross-cutting areas such as disaster relief, climate change and environmental issues to gather evidence to inform appropriate policies, strategies and practices. The REI Programme also develops and maintains core public health functions for the Pacific, particular: 1. Surveillance, operational research, investigation and control of the hazards, risks and threats to public health, needs assessment and analysis of health status to identify and solve community health problems; 2. Health Promotion, strategic health communication, community partnerships; 3. Human resources development and training in public health and assure competent public health workforce; 4. Accountability and quality assurance in population based health services, programmes and projects, including monitoring and evaluation; 5. Reduction of the impact of emergencies and disasters on health. The REI Programme has extensive experience in strengthening surveillance systems of the member countries of the SPC. Mass Gatherings are common in the region, and through a well-established process, the PHD works with enhancing surveillance at the time of the Mass Gathering, in order to limit disease risks to the region. A key objective of the Mass Gathering occasions is to achieve sustainable improvements to the surveillance systems. SURVEILLANCE AND OPERATIONAL RESEARCH TEAM The SOR team provides comprehensive surveillance and operational research support to the REI Programme and to PHD. Along with the other REI teams, it provides research, evidence and information for the purpose of enhancing policy, planning and regulation in the Pacific. The SOR team is central to the development and implementation of the: 1) SHIP capacity development program; 2) mass gathering enhanced surveillance initiatives; and 3) operational research plan. In order to respond to the wide range of technical expertise required from the REI Program and SOR team, the main public health issues central to the PPHSN activities are shared between the team members, forming areas of expertise. As a result of the current SPC organisational reform, the overall scope of the role, and in particular the internal and external working relationships, at SPC may be affected. Organisation Context The structure of the PHD is to be finalized and fully resourced, but there is not likely to be large changes to the proposed organizational chart below. Page 2
Key Result Areas: The position encompasses the following major functions or Key Result Areas (KRAs): 1. Contribution to team management, administration and communication 2. Strengthen capacity for integrated regional surveillance 3. Enhance evidence-based service delivery through operational research 4. Improve health information systems 5. Strengthen preparedness and response to public health threats The requirements in the above Key Result Areas (KRAs) are broadly identified below. Jobholder is accountable for Jobholder is successful when KRA 1 Contribution to team management, administration and communication Contributing to an environment that fosters effective and harmonious working relationships Being visible, showing initiative and contributing to PHD and SPC activities Developing work plans in coordination with SOR Team, REI Programme, PHD and SPC programme activities Partnerships with external partners are developed and maintained, as measured by wellfunctioning networks, productive meetings, Monitoring of and meeting work plan targets and successful joint projects and quality publications evaluating projects outcomes when required Inputs to programme, divisional and corporate Forming effective relationships with member publications that are evidence-based and timely countries and partner agencies in the Pacific to optimise implementation of the SOR activities Work plans address the needs of SPC members as assessed by PHD and partners, and are timely Assisting SOR Team Leader and PHD Deputy produced, updated and implemented Director and REI Programme in developing funding applications Surveillance priorities and issues within area of expertise are communicated to SOR team and Contributing to programme, divisional and PHD corporate publications, and annual as well as divisional reports for CRGA Supporting PPHSN Coordinating Body recommendations, REI Programme and PHD Managing, monitoring and reporting on funds objectives through PHD Deputy Director REI Programme as directed by SOR Team Leader Funding applications and reports are sent to donors through PHD Deputy Director REI Programme on time, meeting requirements and according to project monitoring and evaluation framework. In particular, playing a lead role with French-speaking donors. KRA 2 Strengthen capacity for integrated regional surveillance In collaboration with SOR Team Leader and other REI Programme officers, planning and scaling up training in field epidemiology and core public health functions in PICT health professionals (i.e., SHIP), particularly the Francophone PICTs Maintaining and strengthening surveillance and response capacity at regional and national levels through increasing skills and improving systems Developing and providing training and advice to PICTs in data collection and analysis, surveillance and outbreak investigations, with special focus on communicable diseases Providing technical assistance, support and training to PICTs in a coordinated public health systems-strengthening approach Contributing to assessments of public health surveillance and capacities in PICTs and the strengthening of preparedness and response plans to address gaps identified Actively participating in the development and delivery a Pacific epidemiology and core public health functions training program through teaching and field as well as distance supervision Training programmes and workshops receive positive evaluations and improve routine surveillance and response outputs from PICTs and regional services Supervised field projects lead to publication and policy change/implementation Requests from PICTs for technical assistance in public health surveillance and response to public health emergencies are met in a timely manner Collaborative discussions and projects are underway and a network of professional colleagues established in related areas of responsibility Page 3
Forming effective relationships with PICTs and partner agencies to coordinate surveillance of PPHSN target diseases and other public health emergencies, including national Disaster Management Offices KRA 3 Enhance evidence-based service delivery through operational research Participating with crosscutting technical bodies within PHD and SPC, and to identify public health priorities, and develop joint approaches for action Contributing to the REI Programme operational research activities Documenting the results of operational research for publication as scientific papers, technical reports and presenting findings to regional and scientific meetings Contributing to the effective dissemination of surveillance and operational research findings KRA 4 Improve health information systems New knowledge/recommendations are published in appropriate literature (e.g., peer-reviewed scientific literature, Inform Action, etc) in a timely manner Collaborative research programs/projects are underway and reported Partnerships with other research institutions are developed and maintained, through joint networks, studies, protocols, attachments, funding and publications Contributing to development of surveillance systems that support timely reporting of PPHSN target diseases and other public health emergencies Strengthening of surveillance systems such as syndromic surveillance and systems addressing CD and NCD surveillance, including management of outbreak and other public health emergency investigation and response in PICTs Contributing to the promotion and increased harmonisation of surveillance activities across PHD and SPC, and at regional and national levels in PICTs Specific projects are implemented, monitored, evaluated and reported according to work plans and further national plans Visibly contributing to early detection and confirmation of outbreaks and other public health emergencies to appropriately dealing with unplanned emerging needs at best possible standards PICTs reporting/sharing surveillance information (using SitReps) on PacNet, including on the response to outbreaks and other public health emergency activities. Evidence on this is documented in REI Programme databases KRA 5 Strengthen preparedness and response to public health threats Maintaining and strengthening regional surveillance and response communication mechanisms, through the PPHSN functions Collaborating with PPHSN members and partners to strengthen surveillance and response, and improve the dissemination of information and the exchange of competencies, materials and experiences through the PPHSN functions and communication tools (i.e., Inform Action and PacNet) Representing REI at various forums Actively contributing to PPHSN functions, including: Supporting continuous communication by PICTs on PacNet and PPHSN website, as well as directly contributing to PacNet technically informed discussions and to the updating of the PPHSN and PHD websites Publishing regularly and supporting PICTs publishing in Inform Action Strengthening, supporting and maintaining close contacts with EpiNet National Teams in country and through distance support Participating or leading EpiNet Regional Teams as required Note The above performance standards are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this position will need further discussion between the jobholder and supervisor as part of the performance development process. Page 4
Work complexity: Most challenging duties typically undertaken: K Remaining abreast of literature and scientific knowledge in expertise area Coordinating surveillance activities with external partners in a changing environment Establishing and maintaining good working relationships internally within SPC and with PICTs, WHO and other partners, including research institutions Ensuring continuity of corporate knowledge and skill when staff are on short-term, project-based contracts Improving data quality at national level, and obtaining timely and quality surveillance data despite the region being geographically spread out Functional Relationship and Relationships Skills: Key internal and/or external contacts External WHO, US CDC, PIHOA, FNU and other research/academic institutions and development partners PICT counterparts and key implementing partners PPHSN Core and Allied members, Coordinating Body, and National and Regional EpiNet Teams Regional bodies and technical working groups Representatives of donors and financing bodies under supervision of the SOR Team Leader and as instructed by PHD Deputy Director REI Programme Internal PHD Director, PHD Deputy Director (REI Program), PHD Deputy Director (PPR), REI Programme Team Leaders and colleagues, and other PHD colleagues Colleagues and Teams across SPC technical divisions Crosscutting and taskforce teams. Section s Managers and staff of the Operations and Management Division, especially in IT, Translation and interpretation, and publication services Nature of the contact most typical Requesting and providing information, providing training and advice, resolving conflicts, negotiating, explaining, gaining cooperation Coordination Facilitating, giving and receiving information, resolving minor conflicts, advising, explaining, gaining cooperation and cooperating Level of Delegation: This position does not hold delegated authority under the SPC Manual of Delegations. Person Specification: This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level. (This does not necessarily reflect what the current position holder has.) This may be a combination of knowledge / experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies. Qualifications Essential: Masters-level qualification in public health, epidemiology, or related discipline Desirable: PhD in epidemiology, public health or related discipline Medical qualification (MD, MBBS or equivalent) Page 5
Knowledge / Experience Essential: At least 10 years prior experience in public health surveillance, including communicable disease surveillance Fluent in written and oral French and English Experience in operational research and writing scientific reports and papers Cross-cultural skills and ability to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds Highly developed oral and interpersonal communication skills Willingness to travel frequently (up to 30% of the time) in the Pacific region and international. Desirable: Experience in the provision of capacity building or on the job training in field epidemiology Experience in developing, maintaining and evaluating surveillance systems Experience in responding to outbreaks and public health emergencies Experience in vector-borne diseases Knowledge and understanding of principles of development effectiveness, and human development and international health concepts, principles, practices, and challenges Knowledge and understanding of bilateral and multilateral policies and mechanisms of donor and other health agencies Solid knowledge and experience of the Pacific Experience in development of funding applications and research protocols Key Skills /Attributes / Job Specific Competencies The position would typically need to have the following levels in relation to the skills/attributes/competencies listed in the table below to be considered 100% fully effective. Levels Expert level (i.e., the person needs to be an expert in these skills/attributes/competencies) Advanced level (i.e., the person needs to have an advanced level with these skills/attributes/ competencies) Working Knowledge (i.e., the person needs to have a working knowledge with these skills/attributes/ competencies) Awareness (i.e., the person needs to be aware in relation to these skills/attributes/ competencies) Skills/attributes/competencies Knowledge of public health surveillance and response Written and spoken French Analysing relevant information, identifying issues and determining priorities Setting priorities with minimal supervision Written and spoken English Oral and interpersonal communication skills Operational research and writing scientific reports and papers Capacity building or on the job training in field epidemiology Developing, maintaining and evaluating surveillance systems Responding to outbreaks and public health emergencies Cross-cultural skills and ability to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds Project management skills Laboratory procedures Principles of development effectiveness Development of funding applications and research protocols Goals and mandates of partner agencies and organizations Page 6
Key Behaviours All employees are measured against the following Key Behaviours as part of Performance Development: Change and Innovation Interpersonal Skills Teamwork Promotion of Equity and Equality Judgement Building Individual Capacity Personal Attributes Ability to engage and motivate people Clear and effective communicator Ability to think creatively and solve problems Ability to sum up the situation and make decisions quickly if required Able to handle high pressure, high workload environments Change to Job Description: From time to time it may be necessary to consider changes in the job description in response to the changing nature of our work environment including technological requirements or statutory changes. Such change may be initiated as necessary by the Director Corporate Services. This Job Description may be reviewed as part of the preparation for performance planning for the annual performance cycle. Page 7