Principal Technical Officer for Data Science and Informatics (AfCDC)

Job Title: Principal Technical Officer for Data Science and Informatics
Job Grade: P4
Contract Type: Appointment for Limited Duration (ALD)
Reports to: Head of Division, Surveillance and Disease Intelligence

Purpose of Job

Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a specialized technical institution of the African Union established to support public health initiatives of Africa Union Member States (AU MS) and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions to detect, prevent, control, and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats. Africa CDC supports AU MS in providing coordinated and integrated solutions to the inadequacies in their public health infrastructure, human resource capacity, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and preparedness and response to health emergencies and disasters.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) was officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 31, 2017. Africa CDC is Africa’s first continent-wide public health agency and envisions a safer, healthier, integrated and stronger Africa, where Member States are capable of effectively responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. Africa CDC emphasizes data-driven interventions and programs to improve epidemic surveillance and response across its Member States.

In line with this vision, Africa CDC has been enhancing its data science, analytics and digital health capabilities. Within this context, the Data Science and Analytics unit within the surveillance and Disease intelligence division at Africa CDC Headquarters leads the agency’s advanced data science and analytics initiatives. The Senior Data Scientist (P4 equivalent) position has been created to drive this data science portfolio, ensuring that robust analytical tools and integrated data systems support evidence-based decision-making for health security in Africa.

Main Functions

The PTO on Data Science and Informatics (P4) will provide strategic leadership in data science and Informatics for the SDI Division Data Science and Analytics Unit. The purpose of this role is to design the structure and governance of data and informatics functions of the unit and execute advanced analytical initiatives that inform public health surveillance, predictive modelling, and high-level decision-support for disease prevention and control.

The incumbent will spearhead the development of integrated data platforms and innovative analytical tools, transforming complex health data into actionable insights for the Africa CDC leadership and Member States. By fulfilling this purpose, the PTO will enhance Africa CDC’s capacity to implement timely, data-driven interventions that strengthen health security on the continent. This position also aims to build internal data infrastructures, systems and solutions for data mining, cleaning and archiving and improve analytics capacity by supervising junior staff and fostering a culture of data excellence in the organisation.

Specific Responsibilities

Lead Data Integration and Systems Development for the Africa CDC Public Health Data Management: 

• Lead and coordinate the development, integration, and maintenance of data management systems, solutions and platforms that consolidate key health data from multiple sources (e.g., surveillance databases, laboratory information systems, demographic and geographic data).
• Lead and coordinate the existing surveillance and data platforms, and databases for better data governance and advanced analytics; these platforms and systems include the Surveillance Event Management System (EMS), the Central Data Repository, a unified database initiative for Public Health Emergency Management. e-PHEM
• Ensure these platforms are secure, interoperable, and capable of real-time analysis to support Africa CDC’s early warning and response activities.
• Ensure system scalability, usability, and alignment with Africa CDC’s Continental Data Repository (CDR) and digital health standards.

Lead Advanced Analytics Projects: 

• Provide technical leadership in the design and implementation of advanced data analytics initiatives for public health surveillance and modelling.
• Develop and apply predictive models, statistical analyses, and machine learning algorithms to support outbreak detection, disease trend forecasting, and policy decision-making at a continental scale.
• Support other technical divisions in Africa CDC in matters related to advanced data analytics and capacity building
• Capacity development of Africa CDC and AUMS to establish a pool of data analytics experts

Lead and design Analytics Product Development: 

• Lead the design and dissemination of data-driven products such as user-friendly dashboards, bulletins, maps, and visualization tools that translate complex data into clear insights for Member States and leadership.
• Ensure regular production of analytical reports on disease surveillance findings and modelling results for Africa CDC leadership, Member States, and partners.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: 

• Work closely with other Africa CDC divisions and units – such as Laboratory Systems, Information Technology, and Regional Coordination Centers – to identify data needs and align analytics efforts with public health priorities.
• Coordinate with external partners (e.g., WHO, ECDC, academic institutions) and Member State public health institutes on data sharing initiatives, joint modelling projects, and harmonization of data standards.

Innovation and Strategy: 

• Validate and use emerging data science techniques, tools, and best practices (e.g., artificial intelligence in health, geospatial analytics, big data technologies).
• Introduce innovative approaches to improve the Africa CDC’s analytical capability and efficiency.
• Provide expert input into Africa CDC’s strategic plans, policies, and guidelines related to data management, digital health, and epidemic intelligence, ensuring that data analytics considerations are embedded in organisational strategy.

.Lead Data Governance and Quality Assurance:

• Establish and enforce data governance standards and quality assurance protocols for all analytics activities. This includes ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and timeliness, as well as safeguarding data privacy and security in compliance with applicable policies.
• Develop standard operating procedures for data validation, documentation of methodologies, and archiving of analytic outputs for institutional memory.
• Lead data sharing agreements with AUMS and other relevant organisations to ensure Africa CDC has the quality and granular data that can support its MS and its own decision.

Supervision and Mentorship:

• Supervise and mentor a team of junior data scientists, data analysts, and interns. Provide guidance in project methodologies, review analytical work for quality assurance, and build the team’s capacity through coaching and training. Foster a collaborative team environment and oversee workload distribution and performance of junior staff.

Other Duties:

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Head of the Centre for Data and Analytics, including contributing to resource mobilization (e.g., drafting technical content for proposals) and representing Africa CDC in technical working groups or conferences on data science and public health analytics, as needed.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Education: A minimum of a master’s degree in data science, Statistics, Epidemiology, Computer Science, Public Health (with a focus on biostatistics/epidemiology), or a closely related field.
• A Ph.D. in one of these fields is an added advantage.
• The advanced degree should be complemented by a strong quantitative background.

OR 

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in data science, Statistics, Epidemiology, Computer Science, Public Health (with a focus on biostatistics/epidemiology), or a closely related field.
• A Ph.D. in one of these fields is an added advantage.
• The advanced degree should be complemented by a strong quantitative background.

Experience:

• At least ten (10) years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in data science, statistical analysis, or epidemiological analytics, including experience applying these skills in public health or biomedical contexts.
• At least three (3) of those years should be at a Managerial level, managing other analysts or data professionals.
• Experience working with public health surveillance data or health information systems in an international or African context is highly desirable for those with a master’s degree

OR

• 12 years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in data science, statistical analysis, or epidemiological analytics, including experience applying these skills in public health or biomedical contexts.
• At least Six (6) of those years should be at a Supervisory level, managing other analysts or data professionals.
• Experience working with public health surveillance data or health information systems in an international or African context is highly desirable for those with a Bachelors Degree,

Required Skills

• Demonstrated capacity and leadership experience in designing the structures, governance and systems and solution for data and informatics in public health or other related field;
• Demonstrated expertise in statistical analysis and modelling (e.g., time-series analysis, regression, machine learning techniques)
• Proficiency in programming for data analysis (such as Python, R, SAS, STATA or similar languages).
• Experience with database systems and data visualization tools (e.g., SQL, Tableau, Power BI) and familiarity with integrating disparate data sources.
• Knowledge of epidemiological modelling, GIS mapping, or public health information systems (for example, DHIS2 or other health management information systems) is an asset.
• Strong background in epidemiological modelling, machine learning, and AI techniques.
• Knowledge of data integration, database systems, and digital health interoperability standards (e.g., DHIS2, HL7/FHIR).
• The candidate should be adept at translating data into actionable insights and developing user-friendly analytical dashboards or tools.
• Other Skills and Competencies: Excellent leadership and project management skills – able to initiate, plan, and execute complex analytics projects and to mentor team members. Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, with a capacity to innovate and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication skills are essential: the candidate must be able to present complex data findings in a clear, concise manner to non-technical audiences and to prepare high-quality technical reports. Ability to work effectively in a multicultural, team-oriented setting, and to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders (from government officials to technical partners) is required. High level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability, including the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The Appointment will be for a period of Eleven (11) Months, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

Africa CDC is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

LANGUAGES:

Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the position for the eleven month period is US$  101,705.53  (P4 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 85,128.97 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applications must be submitted no later than February 27 ,2026 11h59 p.m. EAT.

-Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.

-Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.

-The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

-Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles.

These countries: include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia.