Technical Advisor I - Surveillance

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency has a collaborative, mission-driven culture aimed at improving the lives of the poor globally, and it emphasizes the importance of integrity, accountability, and trust in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor I - Surveillance position is part of the anticipated CDC-PEPFAR health systems strengthening project. The role involves delivering expert guidance and hands-on support to government ministries, departments, and agencies to enhance health systems through technical advisory on surveillance. The advisor will facilitate and coach facility-based quality improvement teams, drive rapid learning cycles, and support the development and implementation of effective measurement strategies and change packages. The position aims to foster collaborative learning environments that advance high-quality health outcomes within Nigeria’s health sector. The advisor will also be responsible for providing strategic leadership and expert advisory support for surveillance systems, ensuring alignment with global standards and national priorities for disease detection and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Technical Advisor I - Surveillance include providing strategic leadership and expert advisory support for surveillance systems, guiding the development and implementation of national surveillance strategies, guidelines, and SOPs. The advisor will recommend user-friendly, scalable solutions tailored to local needs and advise on integrating electronic medical records (EMRs), lab data, and other sources while ensuring interoperability and data security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The role also involves strengthening event-based and case-based surveillance, supporting the implementation of systems for real-time reporting of cases and events, and developing workflows for timely notification, investigation, and response. Additionally, the advisor will build capacity for surveillance at all levels by developing and delivering training for health workers, surveillance officers, and data managers, ensuring data quality and timeliness through mechanisms for data validation and routine audits, and coordinating stakeholders to harmonize surveillance efforts. The advisor will monitor and evaluate surveillance system performance, tracking progress against work plans and indicators, and documenting lessons learned and best practices for scale-up and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Informatics, Biostatistics, or a related field. A Master's Degree in a relevant discipline is preferred. Candidates should have a minimum of eight to ten years of relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, including at least five years of field-based experience in surveillance. Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in HIV/AIDS programming and surveillance is essential, along with a general understanding of related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach. Proficiency in MS Office packages, web conferencing applications, and information management systems is also required, along with experience in project design, proposal development, and program monitoring and evaluation.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Informatics, Biostatistics, or a related health data sciences field. A Master's Degree in a relevant area is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight to ten years of relevant work experience, with progressive responsibilities ideally gained in an international NGO setting. Candidates should have at least five years of relevant field-based experience specifically in surveillance, demonstrating a strong understanding of technical principles and concepts in HIV/AIDS programming and surveillance.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential given the context of the role in Nigeria. Additional languages relevant to the local context may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve supervisory responsibilities and requires the candidate to be willing and able to travel up to 50%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates is informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.