Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training (NFELTP) Recruitment

The Nigeria Field Epidemiology Laboratory and Training Program (NFELTP) is a service-oriented training program with three different options or tracks: applied epidemiology, public health laboratory practice, or veterinary epidemiology. Created in 2008, NFELTP is a long-term program within the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health. It trains field epidemiology, public health laboratory, and veterinary epidemiology residents for leadership positions both in the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture. During their training, the residents provide service to the ministries through long-term field placements. The NFELTP is based on similar programs that have been established in more than 30 other countries since 1980.The Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training (NFELTP) seeks the services of the following:

1.)   NOMAD PROJECT COORDINATORObjective: 
To support the implementation of operational plans to improve polio vaccine coverage during Routine Immunization (RI) and Immunization plus Days (IPD, among nomad populations in Northern Nigeria. The contractor will coordinate partner’s efforts to map nomadic settlements for inclusion into Comprehensive Micro Plans for IPDs and RI and assist with planning and implantation of vaccination activities in these communities.
The responsibilities of the Nomad Project Coordinator include:

1. Coordinate NPHCDA efforts for successful outreach and vaccination of nomadic communities with polio vaccine during IPDs and the routine infant vaccination program.
2. Work with LGA and ward Nomad working teams, WHO filed staff and UNICEF to identify, characterize and enter into a database a list of Nomad settlements.
3. Ensure outreach to Nomad communities is included in IPD micro-plans at the Ward Level.
4. Collaborate with WHO, LGA and ward level surveillance officers to develop community level surveillance system within Nomad settlements.

Certifications, License, Physical Requirments or Other Expertise Required
a.  Education: 
MBBS or DVM (Veterinarian or PhD. A Masters Degree in Public Health is an added advantage. Commensurate skills considered with minimum 5 years post-graduate experience in lieu of Master Degree.
Prior Work Experience
The incumbent must have field experience with developing immunization micro-plans and conducting surveillance on polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases, immunization activities and in training.
Knowledge Requirements
a. Language Proficiency:  English, Hausa and Fulani (speak/read) preferred.
b.  Job Knowledge:  The incumbent should have a good understanding of public health, epidemiology polio, immunization and public health surveillance systems. Populations and the ability to build partnerships within special populations is desired.
c. Skills and Abilities:  Incumbent is required to possess advanced skills in project management, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) and partnership development. Experience with geographic systems is desirable.

2.)     NSTOP PROGRAM ANALYST
Objective: 
To serve as key Analysis to the NSTOP program
The responsibilities of the NSTOP program analyst include:

• Participate in the selection of NFELTP resident placed in the NSTOP program
• Assist with organization and management workshops as needed
• Provide logistic and technical support to NSTOP field assignees
• Coordinate interagency activities relates to NSTOP
• Participate in monitoring and evaluating field work of NSTOP assignees
• Provide regular updates to interagency team on NSTOP activities
• Provide data for partner reports, donor reports and presentations.

Certifications, License, Physical Requirements or Other Expertise Required
Required: 

• Masters in Public Health or the Social Sciences. PhD or MBBS is desirable
• Post-graduate training through a field epidemiology training program is an added advantage

Prior Work Experience

• Extensive experience in running international public health program, including training programs is required
• Field experience with the CDC STOP program and adult teaching experiences is an advantage.

Knowledge Requirements
a. Language Proficiency:  English
b. Job Knowledge:  Good understanding or public health, epidemiology, and immunization
c. Skills and Abilities:  Standard computer skills, use of scientific publication software, and scientific literature search engines
d. Knowledge and/or experience working with the Nigeria Ministry of Health or other partners is highly desirable.
 

3.)    NSTOP POLIO COORDINATOR

Objective: 
To Coordinate the Nigeria Stop Transmission of Polio (NSTOP) program.

The responsibilities of the NSTOP Polio Coordinator include:

• Provide overall management, oversight, and leadership of the NSTOP program
• Participate in the design and conduct of training for NSTOP assignees
• Foster inter-agency collaboration, partnership and communication
• Provide regular NSTOP updates to interagency team.

Certifications, License, Physical Requirments or Other Expertise Required
a. Education:  MBBS or PhD Degree required. Masters in Public Health is an advantage
b. Post-graduate field epidemiology training program, or a post-doctoral training in administration and management.
Prior Work Experience
The incumbent must have Nigeria field experience in vaccine preventable disease activities. Strong adult teaching experience in preferred.
Knowledge Requirements
a. Language Proficiency:  English and Hausa
b. Job Knowledge:  Strong technical knowledge in Public Health, epidemiology, and immunization
c. Skills and Abilities:  Experience in Word processing and statistical analysis software (i.e Epi Info, SAS, STATA, SPSS).

4.) NSTOP CONSULTANTS (For recent Graduates of the FELTP program)

Objective: 
To serve as Nigeria Stop Transmission of Polio (NSTOP) consultants over a 12-24 month period. The incumbent is responsible for providing technical assistance to high-risk LGAs in polio eradication and routine immunization strategies.

The responsibilities of the NSTOP polio consultant include:

1. Assist state immunization offices in strengthening coordination at the LGA level.
2. Provide support for priority states in polio eradication with a focus on:

• Micro-planning for campaigns in the high risk LGAs
• Strengthening AFP surveillance
• Strengthening routine infant immunization
• Outbreak investigations for polio and other vaccine preventable diseases
• Monitoring and evaluation of supplemental immunization activities including LQAs
• Data management and technical support for state operations centers, particularly with intra-campaign dashboard monitoring
• Operational research.

Certifications, License, Physical Requirments or Other Expertise Required

1. Education:  Advanced degree in Epidemiology (or in training), Public Health, Health Policy, Allied Health,  Veterinary Sciences, Biostatistics or other related field
2. Pre-requisite:  Post-graduate training through a field epidemiology training program or the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), or a post-doctoral training in administration and management.
Prior Work Experience
a. The incumbent must have Nigeria field experience in vaccine preventable disease activities. Recent graduate of the NFELTP program will be preferred.
Knowledge Requirements
a. Language Proficiency:  English and Hausa
b. Job Knowledge:  Strong technical knowledge in public health, epidemiology, routine immunization, SIAs, disease outbreak investigation, data collection and management, and data analysis
c. Skills and Abilities:  Skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access; demonstrated strong analytical skills, ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing; ability to engage in successful interaction; extensive contact with members of national and local partner organization (WHO, UNICEF, Ministries of Health).

How to apply
Interested applicants should submit resume, application letter and relevant documentation not later than 23rd July, 2012, to:

The Administrator
African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)
No.50, Halle Selassie Street,
Asokoro, Abuja.

Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.