Surveillance Officer

SURVEILLANCE OFFICER (x 1)

University of Zimbabwe - Clinical Trials Research Centre (UZ-CTRC) is seeking suitably trained, competent, talented, multi-task and qualified Surveillance Officer based at NMRL in Harare.

UZ-CTRC was established in 1994 and has conducted high impact observational studies, implementation studies and Phase I-IV clinical trials in HIV, TB, COVID -19 and associated co-morbidities funded by National Institute of Allery and Infectious Diseases, AIDS Malignancy Consortium, Bill, and Melinda Gates Foundation among others. UZ-CTRC has served as a center of excellence in the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS and have contributed to global understanding of HIV epidemiology and pathogenesis, global and Zimbabwean health policy, by providing scientific evidence through our highly equipped and resourced network of laboratories that operate in strict compliance with International best practices guided by GCLP and ISO 15189 standard.

UZ-CTRC is implementing a US Center for Disease Control and Prevention-US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (CDC-PEPFAR) funded Laboratory Systems Strengthening (LSS) program in Zimbabwe from 2023 to 2026 supporting the Ministry of Health and Childcare (MOHCC). The LSS program will enhance access to high quality testing towards achievement of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals.

 Qualification and Experience

• Master’s degree in public health, clinical epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, genomics, or other related science-based discipline.
• At least five years' related experience in quantitative epidemiology and the implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response in humanitarian settings.
• Medical laboratory sciences background and experience a must.
• Demonstrated knowledge of surveillance and monitoring systems complemented by skills in the field of epidemiological or statistical data collection, assessment, analysis, and the evaluation and monitoring in a public health context.
• Proven ability to multitask across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency, and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness, and response with particular attention to application of an all-hazard approach and the use of event based and indicator-based surveillance, as well as descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response.

 Responsibilities

• Coordinates and manage laboratory surveillance technical activities and programs in collaboration with MOHCC Directorate of Laboratory Services.
• Provides expert consultation to MOHCC Directorate of Laboratory Services and other partners to improve existing data collection.
• Conducts real-time surveillance data analysis (including genomic sequencing data) for epidemic forecasting and detection in liaison with National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL).
• Recommends shifts in approach and other actions to improve collection, accuracy, and utility of surveillance data.
• Provides technical assistance to NMRL for genomic sequencing and detection of emerging pathogens of public health significance.
• Undertakes regular laboratory site visits to assess and evaluate the implementation of surveillance activities, identify gaps and recommend corrective actions based on key performance indicators.
• Analyses and disseminate scientific information and knowledge based on surveillance data.
• Coordinates laboratory training courses with regards to disease prevention, detection, preparedness, and response activities.
• Supports laboratories to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity including proper handling of specimens with the aim of improving country’s capacity and capability in bio-risk reduction and containment of highly infectious pathogens.
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisors.

To apply

Interested candidates should forward applications and detailed curriculum vitae to the below email address not later than 31 January 2024.

applications@uz-ctrc.org.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  Canvassing candidates will be disqualified.