Special Advisor for Field Epidemiology Program Full Time

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: EFELTP Country Director / HRDI LEO
Salary: Per Ministry Scale
Employment Type & Duration: Full-time (Contract duration subject to program requirements)
Salary: 84,197.00 (Eighty-four thousand, one hundred and ninety-seven)
Required Number: 1 (one)

Functional Responsibilities:
Under the overall guidance of the Human Resources for Health Development and Improvement Lead Executive Officer and in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, the Senior Special Advisor will be responsible for the following:
1. Strategic Leadership and Policy Support:

• Lead the development and operationalization of national strategies, policies, standards, and guidelines related to field epidemiology and public health emergency management (PHEM), ensuring alignment with national priorities and international best practices.
• Facilitate high-level engagement with government counterparts, partners, and donors to strengthen program ownership and sustainability.

2. Technical Advisory and Knowledge Management:

• Provide technical advice to the Human Resources for Health Development and Improvement Lead Executive Office, advisory bodies, and technical working groups on health workforce development, surveillance systems, emergency preparedness and response, and epidemiological best practices.
• Promote evidence-based decision-making through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of strategic information and lessons learned

3. Programme Development and Implementation:

• Lead the design, development, and quality assurance of Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (EFELTP) concepts, proposals, and annual work plans.
• Ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and reporting of program activities in line with approved frameworks and donor requirements.
• Ensure efficient planning and management of program operations across national and sub-national levels, including budgeting, financial oversight, logistics, and compliance with the MOH rules and regulations.
• Monitor program performance and ensure timely delivery of outputs and results.

4. Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening:

• Strengthen national and sub-national capacity in applied epidemiology through the development and delivery of competency-based training programs (Advanced and Intermediate), including curriculum enhancement, mentorship, and field supervision.

5. Surveillance, Preparedness, and Emergency Response:

• Support the strengthening of integrated disease surveillance systems, including data analysis, interpretation, and use for action.
• Coordinate and provide technical oversight for outbreak investigations and public health emergency responses, ensuring timely and effective interventions.

6. Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:

• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with key stakeholders, including multilateral and bilateral agencies, academic institutions, and professional networks.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, including proposal development and donor engagement.

• EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
• Master of Public Health (MPH) in Field Epidemiology is required.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum Experience: At least 16 years of proven professional work experience across public health sectors.
• Of the total experience required, a minimum of 10 years of proven work experience dedicated to high-level advisory and coordination roles within the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), including:
• Senior EFELTP National Resident Advisor/Program Coordinator (Intermediate): Leading the development of agency-wide strategies, curriculum revision, and technical design for health research.
• Special Advisor for FELTP: Providing technical solutions to national PHEM advisory councils and managing day-to-day FETP operations at the university and regional levels.

Required Skills

• Strong analytical capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and personal qualities of integrity and credibility
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to details
• Ability to work under pressure, stay on track, and meet deadlines
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Proven ability to produce precise and intelligible reports and office briefs in line with the requirements of the African Union.
• 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 solution-oriented
• LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:
• Proficiency in English.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Both the Civil Service and MoH/RHB rules and regulations will be applied to guide the advisor’s day-to-day activities and performance. As new priorities emerge, the MoH may periodically revise the Terms of Reference (TOR) for this position