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Organization Information
- Position: AVoHC Rapid Responder – Data Management/Health Information Specialist
- Reports to: NA
- Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
- Division: Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR)
- Number of Direct Reports: NA
- Number of Indirect Reports: NA
- Job Grade: Rapid Responder
- Number of Positions: 100
- Contract Type: Volunteer
- Location: NA
Purpose of Job
The Africa CDC seeks to recruit a national and citizen of any Member State of the African Union to be a roster member of the African Volunteers Health Corps. This is not recruitment for employment but volunteer service for Africa CDC. The potential AVoHC Volunteers candidates are those who have experience in Public Health Management, social and behavioural science, epidemiology, communication, Infection Prevention and Control, laboratory, mental health, etc., from Africa Union Member States. The potential applicants are encouraged to be fully employed and willing to volunteer for the skills and competencies any time requested by Africa CDC.
Main Functions
In the context of the Africa CDC Public Health Emergency Incident Management System (IMS), at the different levels, the data management expert will provide technical support to the subnational/national/regional/continental incident management teams, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and other relevant government authorities in the collection, collation, management and analysis of data relevant to the emergency incident, aggregate the relevant information in the form of narrative text, maps and graphics for use in decision-making, health sector situation reports, donor reports, and other relevant documents, throughout the full cycle of public health emergencies as they occur.
Specific Responsibilities
During the deployment, the Data management expert shall perform the following major duties and responsibilities:
- Manage the incident databases (cases and contacts) including content, structure, file location, backup system.
- Collect, collate, manage and analyze data from all partners; aggregate the relevant health related information such as mortality and morbidity, location of hospitals, primary health care units, other health care facilities, etc. and transform it into narrative text, maps and graphics to enable strategic planning and decision-making.
- Aggregate and maintain information from technical teams, field offices and partners including contact lists, event specific information (what, where, who, how many, how quickly, current status), health indicator data, health situation data, health response data, etc.
- Develop, review and update tools to harmonize data collection and processes to facilitate consolidation of information. Respond to specific information requests from the technical teams and partners, ensure dissemination of information and knowledge sharing with all partners.
- Provide technical expertise during initiatives related to information and data management, seeking to improve information sharing between institutions, to strengthen access to information from other organizations and clusters, and to contribute to intersectoral dashboards and reports.
- Verify data quality (completeness, timeliness), identify gaps in health information management, recommend corrective actions and prepare relevant documents to include in project proposals, internal and external situation reports (SitReps), bulletins, health risk assessments, and strategic response plans, etc.
- Participate in any other activity that may be required in connection with the incident data management and perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in information or data management, computer sciences, statistics, biostatistics, applied mathematics, epidemiology or public health with 2 years (for master holder) or 5 years (for Bachelor holders) relevant work experience. Further training in databases development and/or management from an accredited/recognized institute.
Knowledge and experience
Relevant experience at the national and/or international level at least in three of the following areas:
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts;
- Proven ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics;
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent knowledge of online data collection applications, statistical analysis packages (Stata, SPSS, etc).
- Good knowledge of database and GIS programmes.
- Progressive practical experience, at provincial and national levels, in development, advocacy, planning, implementation of data management activities in outbreak, disaster or humanitarian emergency
- Relevant work experience in outbreaks and/health emergency management and related strategy development.
Required Skills
Functional Skills
- Demonstrable technical expertise and experience in supporting and/or managing complex, public health programmes with special emphasis on public health data management
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills and a proven ability to deliver under tight deadlines and works well under pressure.
- Excellent skills and abilities applied to translating technical information into presentations, briefings and report for both technical and lay audiences
- Knowledge of oral communication techniques and skill in presentation delivery, programme consultation and credible verbal response to inquiries.
- Knowledge of interpersonal relationship practices and skills to meet and deal with persons of diverse backgrounds.
Personal Abilities
- 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 Africa CDC.
- 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 solutions oriented
- Knowledge of results-based management