Technical Officer – Mortality Surveillance AfCDC at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Technical Officer – Mortality Surveillance AfCDC

Requisition ID: 2463
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethopia
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Fixed term
Division: Surveillance & Disease Intelligence
Reports to: Programme Lead Mortality Surveillance
Directorate/Department/Organ: Center for Public Health Emergency Management 

Purpose of Job

• Africa CDC is looking for an experienced technical officer to support the organisation’s mortality surveillance programme.
• The technical officer will assist the Africa CDC and AU Member States with planning and implementing interventions to improve mortality data collection, collation, analysis, interpretation, and communication of resulting information to the different users and stakeholders.
• The aim is to improve the availability of quality data and its use to inform policy and public health practice. The position is based at the Africa CDC headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Main Functions

• This role is instrumental in the implementation of Africa CDC Continental Framework for Mortality Surveillance Strengthening in collaboration with AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities and both technical and strategic Partners.
• The aim is to assist Africa CDC and AU Member States with planning and implementing interventions to improve mortality data collection, collation, analysis, interpretation, and communication of resulting information to the different users and stakeholders for evidence based decision-making.

Specific Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of Africa CDC Continental Framework for Mortality Surveillance Strengthening in collaboration with AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities and both technical and strategic Partners 
• Develop and maintain a continental repository for mortality data 
• Design and implement analytical approaches to describe mortality patterns and trends and synthesize technical information for strategic and programmatic decision-making.
• Responsible for the development of appropriate tools and technical guidance to enhance capacities and skills for mortality data analysis and visualisation to provide meaningful insights for the targeted users. 
• Support efforts to collect and integrate mortality data from diverse sources and synthesize knowledge to build the evidence for policy and programming in collaboration with regional and national health authorities 
• Generate regular reports on mortality trends, patterns, and other relevant insights to inform public health initiatives and policies; and disseminate findings with scientific papers and presentations, reports, and policy briefs for public health action.
• Represent Africa CDC in a professional manner, which creates a positive image and enhances the credibility of the organization.  
• Liaise with Strategic and Technical Partners to strengthen skills and technical capacity for mortality surveillance in AU Member States, 
• Perform any other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, Population Health, Data science, Health Services Research, or a related field with 5 years of experience working conducting, managing, and disseminating public health information, using ICD standards for mortality data generation, infectious disease prevention and control, outbreak response, or strengthening of health systems.

Or

• Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, Population Health, Data science, Health Services Research, or a related field with 2 years of experience working in working conducting, managing, and disseminating public health information, using ICD standards for mortality data generation, infectious disease prevention and control, outbreak response, or strengthening of health systems.
• Proven experience in database development, data management, or a similar role, preferably within the healthcare or public health sector.
• Proficiency in mortality data analysis tools and software packages such as the WHO ANACoD, STATA, R/Python, SAS, and SPSS is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in implementation research design, methods, analysis, and dissemination using quantitative approaches. 
• Experience leading and coordinating multi-country or multi-institutional research projects or networks involving diverse stakeholders and partners. 
• Experience developing and implementing research policies, strategies, and plans aligning with organizational goals and priorities.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to advance research projects independently while being accountable for their behaviour. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrable knowledge of public health principles and practice as they relate to the implementation of public health programmes and service delivery.
• Excellent communication skills for both technical and lay audiences.
• Demonstrated skills in planning, management and execution of public health projects from conception through implementation.
• Resourceful and skilled at collecting, analysing and using data influence decisions and practice at different level
• Research and data interpretation skills
• Attention to detail
• Cultural intelligence
• Negotiation and diplomacy skills
• Creative problem-solving
• Knowledge of international health frameworks and policies
• Results-oriented mindset
• Passion for public health 
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages is required (English, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Portuguese or Spanish). Fluency in English and knowledge of any additional language is an added advantage 

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

Tenure of Appointment

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables. 

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Language:

• 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 is an annual lump-sum of USD 85,212.07 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  66,751.81  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
11th November, 2024; 11h59 p.m. EAT.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click Here to Download CV Template (MS Word)

Note

• 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.