Epidemiologist (M/F) Based in Lubumbashi (DRC) – 12 months At Epicenter

Company Description

Created by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 1986, Epicentre conducts field epidemiology, training and medical research activities in support of MSF’s humanitarian objectives. We have 3 research centres in France, Niger and Uganda and relocated epidemiologists. Our areas of expertise cover infectious diseases (malaria, TB, HIV, cholera, Ebola, etc.), neglected diseases (leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, etc.) and chronic diseases that are on the rise in African countries, such as diabetes and cancer.

Job Description

CONTEXT: Urgepi Project, responses to emergencies in the Katanga region

MSF regularly intervenes in the Katanga region (4 provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo) in response to epidemic emergencies and/or those linked to clashes. At the epidemic level, however, operational decisions are difficult to make in a context of limited surveillance and multiple and simultaneous alerts. The ambition of the UrgEpi program is to develop and evaluate innovative strategies to prevent and combat epidemics, particularly measles epidemics. MSF-OCP has therefore also planned preventive vaccination activities in health zones at high risk of measles epidemics. It is in this context that Epicentre is looking for an epidemiologist in charge of identifying high-risk areas for measles epidemics, epidemiological surveillance in these areas, and operational research. The position is based in Lubumbashi, with travel to the Katanga region.

MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

The epidemiologist works closely with the field in Lubumbashi, to analyze surveillance data to guide preventive actions and if necessary response to epidemics and to implement operational research projects to identify and evaluate new intervention strategies. The main activities are:

1. Identification of high-risk areas for measles epidemics to guide preventive activities

• Collection and analysis of surveillance data, vaccination coverage and other risk factors to identify areas for preventive activities

1. Support for the collection of epidemiological data in health zones before and after preventive activities.

• Strengthening the surveillance system in selected health areas;
• Epidemiological monitoring;
• Sharing data with the Ministry of Health / other MSF sections / other NGOs in the field.

1. Operational research

• Analysis of surveillance/operational data to evaluate and improve intervention strategies;
• Design and implementation of operational research studies to identify and evaluate innovative strategies for preventing and responding to epidemics (e.g. vaccination coverage surveys, seroprevalence surveys, feasibility studies, etc.);
• Analysis of data collected during surveys/studies;
• Writing reports and scientific articles to disseminate research results.

1. Centralization & analysis of epidemiological data to guide MSF interventions.

• Centralization & analysis of epidemiological surveillance data and measles vaccination coverage:
  • Identification of high epidemic risk areas;
  • Alert detection;
  • Prioritization of alerts for interventions;
  • Evaluation of the impact of interventions;

1. Support for investigation/response to epidemics

• Depending on ongoing activities, support for routine monitoring activities may be requested.

Qualifications

Training:

• Degree in epidemiology, public health, or other relevant degree (with epidemiological component);

Professional experience:

• Professional experience in epidemiology is mandatory, preferably in NGOs in developing countries;
• Field experience with MSF or Epicentre is a plus
• Experience in cholera and/or measles epidemiology is an asset.

Required skills:

• Experience in surveillance, investigation and response to epidemics in developing countries.
• Experience in data analysis with R or STATA
• Experience in implementation, data analysis and writing of survey and protocol reports (vaccination coverage survey, mortality, nutrition, etc.)

Additional information

What we offer you

You will work within a multicultural team in the fields of research and epidemiology.

You will work in the environment of humanitarian medical action in a satellite organization of Doctors Without Borders.

Your contributions and ideas will be valued and greatly appreciated.

The position is a fixed-term contract based in Lubumbashi with occasional travel within the region.

Start date: ideally February 20, 2025.

Gross annual remuneration: according to current scales and experience

To join us

Please submit your application (a CV and a cover letter) no later than November 20, 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Epicentre is committed to protecting the personal data of its members, employees and people wishing to join the association. The data collected during this application will be strictly transmitted, for fair and quality processing, to the people involved in the recruitment process, regardless of where the Epicentre structure to which they belong is located.