Senior Epidemiology and Surveillance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development. Established in 1980, FHI 360 operates in more than 60 countries and has a diverse workforce of over 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to addressing global health challenges, including infectious diseases, and works collaboratively with governments, communities, and other stakeholders to implement effective health programs.

Job Overview:
The Senior Epidemiology and Surveillance Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the STRIDES Morocco Activity, a program funded by the U.S. Department of State aimed at enhancing global health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. This position is pivotal in providing technical support to government counterparts in Morocco, focusing on the development and strengthening of infectious disease detection and surveillance systems. The Senior Officer will ensure that these systems align with national health priorities and adhere to international best practices. Responsibilities include overseeing the technical implementation of surveillance activities, monitoring progress against established workplans, and ensuring timely delivery of outputs. The role also involves contributing to donor reports, annual workplans, and other technical deliverables, while collaborating closely with the project team and headquarters to evaluate program effectiveness and provide technical assessment reports. The position requires a strong understanding of epidemiology and public health surveillance concepts, as well as the ability to manage projects effectively and set realistic priorities for successful implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Epidemiology and Surveillance Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of epidemiology and surveillance activities in Morocco. Key duties include providing technical direction and guidance to project staff on epidemiological surveillance, supporting capacity building for staff and partners, and maintaining project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports. The officer will work closely with the project team to ensure that implementation remains technically sound and adheres to organizational strategies and standard operating procedures. Additionally, the officer will develop technical briefs and reports, conduct analyses of project implementation to identify areas for improvement, and propose technical strategies and guidelines. Collaboration with national counterparts and government teams is essential to provide technical assistance in support of national objectives, particularly in relation to emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The officer will also be responsible for developing and monitoring technical work plans and budgets, participating in client and funder meetings, and drafting reports and presentations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess in-depth knowledge of epidemiologic research and public health surveillance concepts, practices, and procedures. A strong understanding of infectious disease detection systems, zoonotic disease surveillance, and AMR in the Moroccan and broader MENA context is essential. The ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for successful implementation of activities is crucial. Candidates should demonstrate strong diagnostic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with colleagues and external partners. Leadership skills are also important, as the officer will serve as the in-country technical lead for epidemiology and surveillance activities and may supervise junior staff members.

Educational Background:
A Master’s Degree or its international equivalent in Epidemiology, Public Health, or a related health field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to the epidemiology and surveillance activities under the STRIDES Morocco Activity.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 6+ years of relevant experience in epidemiology, surveillance, or a related public health field. This experience should include a demonstrated track record of supporting infectious disease detection and surveillance programs. Documented experience working on epidemiology and surveillance activities in Morocco and engaging with relevant government ministries, particularly the Ministry of Health, is crucial. Additionally, candidates should have relevant publications, presentations, technical reports, and experience developing guidelines, tools, or manuals in the area of epidemiology and surveillance. Familiarity with current developments, methodologies, and best practices in the field is also required. Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization, government agency, or private organization operating in the public health or global health security space is advantageous, as is experience working on global health security projects and familiarity with international frameworks.

Languages:
Fluency in French and Arabic is mandatory, with professional proficiency in English also required. The ability to read, write, and speak these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, including government counterparts and project team members.

Additional Notes:
This position is a locally hired role based in Rabat, Morocco, and is expected to involve travel requirements of 10% to 25%. The expected hiring salary range for this role is MAD 350,000 - 450,000 annually for gross salary. FHI 360 considers multiple factors when determining an offer amount, including relevant years of experience and education, internal equity, market pay, and budget. The organization is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative action, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without discrimination. FHI 360 also emphasizes safeguarding and requires all personnel to adhere to a code of conduct to prevent abuse, exploitation, and harassment.