Principal Technical Officer / Lead Emergency and Response (Ebola Preparedness)

About the role

Africa CDC is recruiting a Principal Technical Officer / Lead Emergency and Response (grade P4, 11-month appointment, first three months probation) to provide technical leadership and operational oversight for Ebola preparedness and response in the assigned affected or at-risk countries. The post reports to the Country Director (Cross Border Country Lead) and works with national and subnational authorities, PHEOCs, implementing partners and frontline responders.

Key responsibilities

• Support implementation of national Ebola preparedness and response plans, contingency plans and readiness reviews, and monitor preparedness indicators
• Coordinate deployment supervision of rapid response teams, activation of emergency response mechanisms and field coordination with PHEOCs and local authorities
• Support surveillance, early warning, case investigation, contact tracing and digital surveillance platforms
• Coordinate risk communication and community engagement with local authorities, community leaders and civil society
• Support IPC measures, IPC readiness assessments, training of healthcare workers and safe and dignified burials

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, Emergency Management, Health Security, Nursing or a related field
• At least 10 years of progressive experience for Master's holders or 12 years for Bachelor's holders in public health emergency preparedness and response, including 6 years at expert level and 3 in a supervisory role
• Experience with Ebola, VHF or infectious disease outbreak preparedness and response, surveillance systems and field coordination
• Experience with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and development partners; experience in fragile and complex environments is desirable
• Proficiency in one AU working language (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, Spanish); fluency in another is an advantage
• Frequent travel to Ebola-affected areas, high-risk districts and border locations required

Required skills

• Emergency preparedness and response, Ebola and VHF preparedness and response
• Surveillance and epidemiology, IPC, monitoring and evaluation
• Team coordination, stakeholder coordination, planning and implementation of emergency preparedness activities
• Analytical and reporting skills, ability to work under pressure in emergency environments