Provincial Outbreak Officer (2)

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 interrelated development challenges, FHI 360 employs a diverse team of experts in various fields including health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, and technology. The organization operates in over 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories, showcasing its extensive reach and commitment to global health and development.

Job Overview:
The Provincial Outbreak Officer for Zambezia Province will play a crucial role in providing technical leadership and operational support for outbreak preparedness, detection, and response at both provincial and district levels. This position is integral to the EpiC Global Health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (GHS) Project and will be seconded to the Provincial Health Directorate (DPS) or Provincial Health Services (SPS) to ensure effective collaboration with government counterparts. The Officer will be responsible for enhancing the functionality of Provincial Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs) and implementing the Incident Management System (IMS) to facilitate rapid and coordinated responses to public health emergencies. The role emphasizes strengthening preparedness as a foundation for effective response through various activities such as capacity building, simulation exercises, outbreak resource mapping, emergency stock management, surge planning, and real-time outbreak response support. By improving coordination, decision-making, and resource mobilization, the Provincial Outbreak Officer will contribute to achieving the 7-1-7 targets for timely detection, notification, and response, and will report primarily to the Senior Technical Advisor for Quality Improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Provincial Outbreak Officer include providing technical support to enhance the functionality of provincial PHEOCs in accordance with national frameworks and IMS principles. This involves developing, adapting, and operationalizing PHEOC standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency response tools, reporting forms, contact lists, and incident logging systems. The Officer will also support the activation, coordination, and deactivation of IMS structures during outbreaks and public health emergencies, and provide on-the-job mentoring to provincial staff across IMS functions. Additionally, the Officer will support the planning and delivery of Public Health Emergency Management trainings, facilitate simulation exercises, and ensure that lessons learned are documented and incorporated into updated plans and SOPs. The role also includes coordinating outbreak resource mapping and needs assessments, managing emergency stock, supporting rapid resource deployment, and providing technical support during active outbreaks. The Officer will serve as the primary EpiC GHS focal point for outbreak response in Zambezia Province, maintaining strong relationships with various health authorities and partners.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of public health emergency preparedness and outbreak response systems, including IDSR and PHEOC operations. They should demonstrate technical expertise in outbreak investigation, rapid response coordination, and incident management. Practical experience in supporting or leading field-based outbreak responses at provincial or district levels is essential. Familiarity with infection prevention and control (IPC) principles and their application during outbreaks is also required. Candidates should have strong coordination and facilitation skills, the ability to work under pressure, and excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort using digital reporting and emergency coordination tools are necessary.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, emergency management, or a related field is required. Candidates should have a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in these areas. Training in outbreak investigation, emergency response, incident management systems (IMS), or IPC is considered a strong asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have proven experience supporting or coordinating outbreak responses at the provincial or district level in Mozambique. Experience working closely with provincial health authorities and supporting emergency coordination mechanisms is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience mentoring or coaching government staff to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacity. Prior experience with USAID-, CDC-, or other donor-funded health security or emergency response programs is preferred.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is required, while proficiency in English is preferred. This language requirement is crucial for effective communication and collaboration within the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Zambezia Province, with frequent travel required for outbreak response, field investigations, and district support. Occasional travel to Maputo and other provinces for coordination meetings, trainings, and national-level response activities is also expected, comprising about 10-20% of the role. The last day for receiving applications is 19 March 202

• FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to safeguarding against abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments and programs. The organization emphasizes a healthy work/life balance and offers a competitive benefits package.