Senior Technical Officer – Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Established with a mission to address today's interrelated development challenges, FHI 360 employs a diverse team of experts across various fields including health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, youth, research, and technology. The organization operates in multiple countries, leveraging its unique mix of capabilities to create impactful solutions. FHI 360 is committed to fostering a work environment that promotes equality and inclusivity, ensuring that all employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Job Overview:
The Senior Technical Officer – Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) plays a crucial role in providing technical implementation support for infection prevention and control within the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Global Health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security components of the EpiC program. This position is based in Maputo, Mozambique, and involves close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, national public health institutions, and various health authorities. The Senior Technical Officer will focus on strengthening IPC interventions, enhancing workforce capacity, ensuring compliance with national standards, and promoting the integration of IPC and WASH into routine health services and emergency preparedness systems. The role is pivotal in supporting national and subnational health authorities to develop systems and practices that prevent, detect, and control infectious disease threats, particularly in healthcare facilities and high-risk settings.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Technical Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties including:

• Infection Prevention and Control: Collaborating with health authorities to plan and implement national IPC priorities; strengthening IPC systems and guidelines; leading assessments and translating findings into actionable improvement plans; providing technical leadership for IPC programs; supporting surveillance and analysis of healthcare-associated infections; and ensuring effective integration of WASH and IPC activities.
• Global Health Security and Outbreak Preparedness: Supporting preparedness and response for waterborne diseases; participating in outbreak investigations; contributing to the development of preparedness plans; and providing technical support during public health emergencies.
• Capacity Strengthening: Developing and delivering training and mentorship for healthcare workers; conducting field visits to monitor implementation; and assessing training effectiveness.
• Program Implementation: Supporting the development and monitoring of workplans and indicators; coordinating with various stakeholders; and contributing to the sustainability of IPC and WASH interventions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong technical knowledge of IPC standards and practices, including environmental cleaning and healthcare waste management. They should have skills in outbreak preparedness and response, as well as the ability to develop technical guidance and monitoring tools. Strong analytical, coordination, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills are essential. The ability to work effectively with government institutions and multidisciplinary teams is also required, along with fluency in Portuguese and professional proficiency in English.

Educational Background:
A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Medicine, Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Epidemiology, or a related field is required. A Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biomedical Sciences, IPC, Global Health, Environmental Health, or WASH is strongly preferred. A clinical background as an MCH nurse or medical doctor is also highly desirable.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in IPC, WASH, public health, or related areas with a Bachelor's degree, or six years with a Master's degree. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in implementing IPC programs in healthcare settings, conducting assessments, and developing improvement plans. Preferred experience includes using IPC/WASH assessment tools and supporting rapid response teams during outbreaks.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is mandatory, along with professional working proficiency in English. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This position may require domestic travel within Mozambique, with an expected travel rate of 30-40%. The expected hiring salary range for this role is USD 47,000 - 57,000 annually, with considerations for relevant experience and education. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to safeguarding against abuse and harassment in the workplace. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks.