Surveillance Advisor

The Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Associations (CCRDA) and Project HOPE Health Security Activity (HSA) project support and coordinate Community Based Disease Surveillance (vaccine preventable diseases and priority zoonotic disease surveillance). USAID-HSA project is being implemented in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regional state.

Job Summary:

The National Surveillance Advisor will provide strategic and technical support to strengthen early disease detection capacities under IR1 (Early Disease Detection Capacity Improved). He/she is collaboration and stering productive relationships, identifying areas for collaboration, and supporting the growth and development of local partners to ensure mutual success.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive surveillance strategies aligned with IR1 objectives.
• Coordinate with National and Regional government and partner offices to ensure cohesive execution of surveillance activities across HSA implementation regions.
• Coordinate Regional Surviellance coordinators and Woreda Surviellance officers.
• Facilitate collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors to enhance One Health surveillance efforts.
• Support the CGPP Deputy Director in maintaining smooth working relationships with Regional Surveillance Coordinators, and other field staff.
• Identify challenges and obstacles impacting IR1 project area implementation and present them to the Secretariat Director, Deputy Director and program staff for solutions.
• Collaborate with Deputy Director to oversee and review technical surveillance reports, ensuring they meet quality standards and are submitted timely.
• Oversee the functioning of multi-sectoral Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) activities at the kebele level, ensuring effective community engagement and early detection of targeted diseases.
• Manage the development and deployment of user-friendly electronic surveillance tools for field staff, facilitating near real-time data collection, sharing, and reporting.
• Coordinate cross-border surveillance activities by mapping land crossing points, establishing cross-border committees, and facilitating collaboration with neighboring countries to mitigate the risk of importing infectious diseases.
• Strengthen sentinel surveillance at Points of Entry (PoEs) through targeted capacity-building initiatives and training programs, enhancing the ability to monitor and respond to travel-related illnesses.
• Develop and facilitate training programs for surveillance coordinators and officers Community Health Workers (CHWs) (HEWs and CAHWs), and Community Volunteers (CVs) Committee Members.
• Organize Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions to build local capacity for ongoing surveillance activities.
• Conduct workshops and seminars to share the best practices, innovations, and lessons learned in disease surveillance.
• Oversee the selection and training of Community Volunteers (CVs), Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), and other community-based actors.
• Ensure timely and accurate data collection, management, and reporting through digital surveillance tools.
• Analyze surveillance data to identify trends, outbreaks, and areas requiring intervention.
• Prepare and submit comprehensive surveillance reports to the CGPP Secretariate Director and Deputy Director, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain data integrity and confidentiality in accordance with Project HOPE and USAID guidelines and local regulations.
• Provide technical guidance on the development and implementation of surveillance protocols and tools.
• Assist in the revision and updating of the National Community and Event-Based Surveillance (CEBS) guidelines.
• Promote the use of digital tools and technologies to enhance surveillance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Conduct other public health emergency management (PHEM) and other activities advised by the CGPP Secretariat Director and Deputy Director to support implementation of project objectives and organizational goals.

Terms of Employment: One-year contract with possible extension

Salary: Negotiable

• MD, or BS in public health, nursing or other health related degree with Post Graduate Degree in Public Health (MPH)
• Minimum of seven years of progressive experience in disease surveillance, public health programs, or One Health initiatives at national and regional levels (at least 2 years of NGO experience on disease surveillance).
• Strong leadership and coordination abilities.
• Proficient in data analysis and familiar with digital surveillance tools
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, community members, and international partners.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Amharic is preferred.
• MSc in field epidemiology is added value