Cybersecurity Specialist Full Time NEW

Project Background:
Palladium is implementing the USAID-funded Translating Data for Implementation (Data.FI) award. Data.FI is a $180 million project which serves as USAID’s primary mechanism for data, technology, and health information systems to support HIV activities across strategic PEPFAR countries.  Data.FI is part of a suite of large-scale global HIV programs that USAID has awarded and represents the next generation of HIV/AIDS programs. Data.FI plays a key role in USAID’s goals of helping partner countries on their Journey to Self-Reliance and transitioning local organizations to prime recipients of USG funding.

The overall goal of the Data.FI project is to improve global, regional, and national in-depth analyses of HIV epidemiologic and program data that can be directly applied to expedite the achievement of PEPFAR targets to attain and sustain control of the HIV epidemic.  The focus also includes directly supporting host country governments and implementing partners to further enhance existing health information system platforms to inform management responses to well-defined gaps in HIV/AIDS programming.  In order to ensure rapid access to high quality data, Data.FI works towards: accelerating data utilization to rapidly course correct and take to scale cost-effective and impactful activities, models and approaches required to attain and maintain HIV epidemic control; scaling and optimizing in-country health information system capabilities to collect, exchange, adapt, govern, and visualize information in order to track the attainment and maintenance of HIV epidemic control; and supporting the transition of prime funding and implementation to capable local partners.

Position Summary: 
The Cybersecurity Specialist is responsible for protecting digital health systems and data in Ethiopia against cybersecurity threats. This role designs and implements security protocols, risk mitigation strategies, and compliance mechanisms across platforms like DHIS2, eCHIS, Bahmni, and national data warehouses. The Specialist works closely with MOH, hosting providers, and infrastructure teams to safeguard sensitive health information and ensure system resilience.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement cybersecurity policies and protocols for national digital health systems.
• Conduct risk assessments, threat modeling, and penetration testing of hosted environments.
• Monitor and respond to security breaches, vulnerabilities, and anomalies.
• Advise on encryption, firewall, access control, and network security configurations.
• Support training and awareness on cybersecurity for MOH, developers, and end-users.
• Ensure compliance with national data protection laws and international standards (e.g., ISO 27001, GDPR).
• Maintain documentation and incident response plans for all critical systems.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or IT Security.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in cybersecurity, with exposure to healthcare systems preferred.
• Experience with security operations, firewalls, intrusion detection, and identity management.
• Familiarity with cloud security and compliance requirements for digital health systems.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CEH, CISM) are an asset.
  

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion 

• Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success, and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.
  

How To Apply

Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability, or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.