Position: Technical Officer – Community Health Systems (AfCDC)
Purpose of Job
The African Union (AU), established as a unique Pan-African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion, and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and the African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Ethiopia.
Officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2017 as a specialized technical institution of the African Union, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is Africa’s first continent-wide public health agency. Africa CDC envisions a safer, healthier, integrated, and stronger Africa, where the Member States can effectively respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. The agency’s mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health institutions’ capabilities to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other health burdens through an integrated network of continent-wide preparedness and response, surveillance, laboratory, and research programs.
Africa CDC has six strategic priority pillars: (1) Public health surveillance and disease intelligence; (2) Public health emergency preparedness and response; (3) Public health laboratory systems and networks; (4) Public health information systems; (5) National public health institutes and research and, (6) Disease Control and Prevention
In seeking to achieve these strategic objectives, a grant agreement was signed between Africa CDC and the World Bank to ensure the program delivery capacity is adequate at Africa CDC in three main components: (1) Support to the Africa CDC’s COVID-19 response, (2) Enhancing Africa CDC’s technical and programmatic functions to support AU Member States’ preparedness capacities and, (3) Strengthening Africa CDC’s institutional capacity and operational structure.
Hence, Africa CDC invites applicants who are citizens of Member States to apply for the position of Technical Officer – Community Health Systems for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Division of Disease Control and Prevention.
Main Functions
Under the supervision of the Head of the Division of Disease Control and Prevention, the Technical Officer – Community Health Systems will provide technical support for the conceptualization and implementation of the continental coordination mechanism for Community Health on the continent towards institutionalized, integrated, and sustainable community health programs in Africa
Specific Responsibilities
The Technical Officer will be responsible for the following:
- Support the development process, validation, and implementation of the Africa CDC Community Health systems strategy and ensure linkages to existing cross-cutting programs and units at Africa CDC as well as in Member States;
- Support the design and implementation of advocacy activities within Member States for community health systems strengthening across the continent.
- Support Member states to develop community health policy and guidance documents for Community Health Workers’ advocacy activities.
- Support the conceptualization and implementation of the continental coordination mechanism for Community Health on the continent towards institutionalized, integrated, and sustainable community health programs in Africa.
- Conduct Member States’ Capacity building on cross-cutting community health workers programs challenges;
- Support the implementation of Africa CDC initiatives/partnerships to scale up community health workers programs on the continent.
- Conduct regional workshops & Webinars for cross-country learning, experience, and best practices sharing on the role of CHWs in Pandemic Preparedness and Response/ CHWs sustainability.
- Lead and or support country engagement processes for community health Workers deployment for pandemic response
- Support community health workers’ deployment processes, and define and assess the deployment impact.
- Support and organize regional Community Health Worker advocacy workshops for political prioritization and sustainability
- Support Member states to harmonize Community training curriculum towards integrated community health service delivery at the community.
- Work with Member States to support the process of improving African CDC access to health-related data through coordination, collaboration, and technical assistance;
- Support the Community Health workforce development including developing specific training curricula and manuals for various audiences, partner engagement, and management, and ensure delivery of various workforce development activities,
- Develop, review, and disseminate guidelines, standards of practice, protocols, and other tools to improve quality delivery in Member States;
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
- University Bachelor’s degree in Public health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health science, Health services research, or related health discipline with at least 5 years of experience
OR
- An Advanced Degree in, Public health, Epidemiology, Medicine, Health science, Health services research, or related health discipline is an asset with a minimum of 2 years of experience.
- Knowledge of public health programs, health sciences research, and health systems strengthening, and experience in supporting projects and programs under government ministries and external donors.
- Familiarity with administrative and management practices and processes typically employed by public health and other public sector programs, particularly in the context of emergency response.
- Knowledge of public health issues in Africa and previous experience working in Africa;
- Knowledge of oral communication techniques and skill in presentation delivery, program consultation, and credible verbal response to inquiries.
- Skills in translating technical information into presentations, briefings reports, and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
- Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of the operations of the African CDC, Regional Coordinating Centers, and National Public Health Institutes will be an added advantage.
- Understanding of the African Union’s way of working and managing associated relationships with Member State entities and partners
Required Skills
- Knowledge of public health principles and practice as they relate to the implementation of public health programs and service delivery.
- Diplomatic, representational, interpersonal, and communication skills, including experience successfully interacting with stakeholders and decision-makers in technical and other professional settings.
- Collect, analyze, and use data to recommend, make, and communicate decisions of a technical nature to both scientific and lay audiences.
- Technical and scientific writing skills, in addition to narrative and financial reporting skills.
- Translate technical information into presentations, briefings reports, and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
- Project planning and management skills for organizing, planning, and executing public health projects from conception through implementation.
- Demonstrated ability concerning computer skills, particularly with statistical and other analytic tools, e.g., R and State, and with office software applications such as MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Insight
- Developing Others
- Change Management
- Managing Risk
Core Competencies
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Accountability awareness and Compliance
- Learning Orientation
- Communicating with Influence…
Functional Competencies
- Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Job Knowledge and information sharing:
- Continuous Improvement Focus
- Drive for result:
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TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:
- The Appointment will be made on a fixed-term contract for 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.
LANGUAGES:
- Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory, and fluency inanother AU language is an added advantage
REMUNERATION:
- The salary attached to the position is an annual lump sum of US$ 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.
Position: Technical Officer – HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs) (AfCDC)
Purpose of Job
African Union, established as a unique Pan-African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion, and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.
Officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2017 as a specialized technical institution of the African Union, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is Africa’s first continent-wide public health agency. Africa CDC envisions a safer, healthier, integrated, and stronger Africa, where the Member States can effectively respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. The agency’s mission is to strengthen the capabilities of Africa’s public health institutions and systems to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other health burdens through an integrated network of continent-wide disease control and prevention, preparedness, and response, surveillance, laboratory, and research programs. To achieve its mission, the Africa CDC works in all geographic regions of the African continent and has instituted technical divisions to focus on five priority areas, namely Surveillance and disease intelligence, Preparedness and Response, Laboratory systems and networks, Disease Control and Prevention, and Public Health Institutes and research.
The Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want is the African Union’s (AU) strategy for the development of the continent and the Africa Health Strategy 2016-2030 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of all in Africa in the context of “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want” and the Sustainable Development Goals. One of its objectives is to reduce morbidity and end preventable mortality from communicable and non-communicable diseases and other health conditions in Africa by implementing several strategic priorities including “Ending AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases”.
Main Functions
Under the supervision of the Head of the Division, of Disease Control and Prevention, the Technical Officer – HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs will be responsible for supporting several technical and program management and implementation activities in the prevention and control of HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs that are of continental priorities.
Technical and programmatic management and implementation activities may include workforce capacity development, health promotion, epidemiology assessments, monitoring and surveillance, public health research, and strengthening of health information systems, laboratory networks, and other health systems strengthening activities, all in alignment with Africa CDC’s vision and strategic plan.
Specific Responsibilities
The Technical Officer for HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs shall perform the following major duties and responsibilities:
- Provide technical support on the implementation, coordination, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation of continental initiatives such as the Africa CDC Continental HIV/AIDS Programme on prevention and control of HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs
- Coordinate, collaborate, and technically support surveillance, diagnostic, and laboratory capacity-strengthening and operational research efforts to accelerate control and prevention of HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs.
- Act as a focal person in Africa CDC to manage HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs-related work through coordination with RCC, Member States NPHIs, donors, and health partners in these areas.
- Liaise with the AU MS to facilitate and support the development/ implementation of the national HIV/AIDs, TB, and STI programs and provide technical support in the development of integrated health system networks through the adaptation of existing tools and the systematic development of capacities and competencies at the community levels.
- Provide technical support to improve health information systems related to HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs
- Build and maintain strong partnerships and relationships with partners interested in strengthening the prevention and control of HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs
- Facilitate and strengthen RCC and NPHI capacities in health promotion for the prevention and control of diseases of HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs.
- Ensure the monitoring and reporting of outputs, outcomes, lessons learned, and challenges for activities of the Division of Disease Control and Prevention
- Perform any other related duties as may be assigned.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Health sciences, Public health, or a related discipline from an accredited academic institution and must have at least five (5) years of continuous or combined experience in the field of endemic diseases, in particular HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs, with emphasis on its prevention and control, research, epidemiology, and surveillance, or other related public health program activities. Candidates must also have documented at least five years of experience working in the African health sector.
Or
- Master’s degree or higher in Health sciences or Public health or a related discipline from an accredited academic institution with at least two (2) years of continuous or combined experience in the field of endemic diseases, in particular HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs, with emphasis on its prevention and control, research, epidemiology, and surveillance, or other related public health program activities. Candidates must also have documented at least two years of experience working in the African health sector.
- A clear understanding of the health systems on the Continent and fair knowledge of the operations of the Ministries of Health in the Member States.
- Previous experience working in disease prevention and control programs in Africa that reflects an in-depth knowledge of African public health issues in general, and in particular, HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs is an asset.
- A record of high-quality, peer-reviewed, and/or outcomes research publications in the prevention and control of endemic diseases, in particular, HIV, TB, Viral Hepatitis, and STI, is desirable.
- Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of operations of the Africa CDC, Regional Collaborating Centres National Public Health Institutes is an asset.
- Understanding the African Union’s way of working and managing associated relationships with Member States and partners is an asset.
- Experience working with an international organization is an asset.
Required Skills
Functional Skills:
- Ability to understand the principles of results-based management and develop plans, organize resources, and take actions to ensure objectives are achieved within realistic timelines.
- Excellent skills and abilities applied to translating technical information into presentations, briefings reports, and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
- Strong technical and scientific writing skills, in addition to narrative and technical reporting skills, as demonstrated through publications, reports, etc.
- Demonstrable computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications, and experience in using office software applications such as MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Broad knowledge of principles, practices, methodology, and techniques in public health.
Personal Skills:
- Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapting to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintaining a high standard of personal conduct.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills and a proven ability to deliver under tight deadlines and work well under pressure.
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- High level of autonomy at work, capable of working with minimal supervision, yet with profound team spirit.
- Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient and flexible.
- Pro-active and solutions-oriented
- Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Kiswahili) is required. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be an added advantage.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Insight
- Developing Others
- Change Management
- Managing Risk
Core Competencies
- Building Relationship
- Foster Accountability Culture
- Learning Orientation
- Communicating with Influence…
Functional Competencies
- Conceptual Thinking
- 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 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.
LANGUAGES:
- 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 US$ 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.