Senior Technical Specialist - Epidemiology

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing research, resources, and relationships to ensure that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full and healthy lives. Established with a mission to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities, FHI 360 employs over 2,000 experts and operates in more than 50 countries worldwide, focusing on various global health initiatives and programs.

Job Overview:
The Senior Technical Specialist - Epidemiology plays a crucial role in managing and monitoring epidemiological analysis and surveillance activities for the EpiC project in the Philippines. This position involves providing technical support to the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, particularly in developing and updating strategies for infectious disease detection. The specialist will lead the planning and implementation of epidemiological results, ensuring that all activities align with national priorities and strategies. This role requires a deep understanding of public health emergencies, pandemic preparedness, and the integration of various technical areas such as zoonotic diseases and public health messaging. The specialist will also contribute to the annual work planning process and develop guidelines and policies for epidemiological activities, participating in technical leadership at both regional and country levels.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Technical Specialist - Epidemiology will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Leading the implementation of surveillance activities, enhancing early warning systems, and developing risk assessment tools.
• Providing technical assistance to improve national surveillance systems and workflows.
• Supporting outbreak detection and verification in collaboration with local health units and mentoring teams on data interpretation.
• Strengthening operational linkages between epidemiological data and laboratory results, particularly for zoonotic diseases.
• Supporting public health emergency preparedness and response by delivering timely epidemiologic analysis and participating in rapid response teams.
• Developing interactive dashboards and predictive analytics tools to enhance analytical capacity at subnational levels.
• Conducting capacity building and quality assurance through structured mentoring and the development of standard operating procedures.
• Coordinating program documentation and representation in national technical working groups and inter-agency meetings.
• Performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate technical knowledge and practical application of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and have proven experience in public health, epidemiologic research, and outbreak investigation. Proficiency in data management and analysis software is essential, along with the ability to deliver training and mentorship to various public health professionals. Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability in fast-paced environments are also required. Candidates should have high proficiency in English and Tagalog, with knowledge of additional local languages being an advantage.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in Epidemiology, Medicine, Public Health, or a related field is required, with a Master’s degree preferred. Formal training in Epidemiology and Surveillance is highly desirable, including courses in Basic Epidemiology and Event-Based Surveillance.

Experience:
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in epidemiology, infectious disease control programs, and public health emergency response is required. Candidates should have experience in implementing surveillance systems and health data analysis at both national and international levels.

Languages:
High proficiency in English and Tagalog is mandatory, with additional local languages considered advantageous.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Manila, Philippines, and may require domestic travel of at least 25%. FHI 360 is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative action, ensuring a non-discriminatory work environment. The organization emphasizes safeguarding against abuse and exploitation and requires all personnel to adhere to a code of conduct. Employment offers are subject to screening checks, including reference and criminal record checks. FHI 360 offers a competitive benefits package and promotes a healthy work/life balance.