Technical Advisor at the British High Commission (BHC)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: International Health Regulations Strengthening Project – Technical Advisor: Surveillance and Epidemiology

Ref. No.: 06/21 ABJ
Location: Abuja
Grade: D6 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Duration of Post: 9 months
Type of Post: British Deputy High Commission
Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Development and Humanitarian
Start Date: 1 July 2021.

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Main Purpose of Job:

This post is located within Public Health England’s (PHE) Global Public Health division, led by the Director of Global Public Health. The Global Public Health division supports the delivery of PHE’s Global Health Strategy. It provides a corporate service to PHE supporting the oversight, coordination and delivery of PHE’s international activity and working with UK government departments and other UK partners to build and strengthen international public health links. The division also maintains its own extensive portfolio of global health programs and projects, focusing on capacity building and health system strengthening in partner countries
The post-holder will provide in-country public health expert level input to PHE’s Global Public Health division work focused on the delivery of the DHSC-funded International Health Regulation (IHR) strengthening project. The IHR strengthening project work is in 5 countries, one of which is Nigeria.
The work plan in Nigeria will build on the success to date of surveillance delivery and capacity-building activities and also provide an opportunity to strengthen surveillance and epidemiology capacity at sub-national and regional levels as appropriate, including cross-border and relevant One Health aspects.. The post-holder will provide expert advice and technical support to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in public health surveillance and epidemiology relevant aspects of its legal mandate as well as in support of its role as the designated IHR National Focal Point, including collaboration with relevant Ministries Departments, Agencies and other One Health and health security stakeholders.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Working closely with the Country Lead and PHE’s NIS Epi/Surveillance Team, the post holder will:

Develop and deliver bespoke activities with a focus on strengthening epidemiology and surveillance capacities of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
Support the strengthening of surveillance and epidemiological capacities and capabilities at sub-national level to enhance the prevention, detection and response to public health events including epidemic prone disease
Support the design and delivery of relevant training programmes and activities including data management, analysis and interpretation
Engage with One Health stakeholders at national and sub-national levels to enhance surveillance-related capacities in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) requirement work closely with laboratory colleagues at the National Reference Laboratory Abuja and the Central Public Health Laboratory Lagos to improve alignment of laboratory and surveillance data as necessary to ensure enhanced surveillance capabilities
Provide technical advice to, and participate in relevant Technical Working Groups and committees at national level as required
Support and facilitate the development, monitoring and evaluation of guidelines, tools, and indicators for effective disease surveillance at the national and subnational levels in the context of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) Technical Guidelines
Support the further development, enhancement and the embedding of digital tools (including SITAware) for surveillance and response purposes
Provide practical project management oversight of surveillance and epidemiological work plan activities to ensure timely and effective delivery
Contribute to development of IHR In-country team, supporting colleagues as work requires and as directed by Country Lead
Carry out other duties as may reasonably be required in the role
You will be a highly organised, creative team player who is a self-starter and has excellent written and verbal communication skills. You will have a thorough understanding of a broad range of communications and engagement skills and issues gained through experience in the field, and you will have excellent negotiation skills, enabling you to deal sensitively with stakeholders with complex and sometimes conflicting interests. You will be expected to show strong drive to complete and evidence progress, recognising the importance of compliance and reporting.

This role is subject to change, removal or amendment from advert at short notice

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject
Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD)
Extensive experience of working in the field of Epidemiology, Surveillance or Public Health in Nigeria/Africa
Knowledge of, and a keen interest in the health sector and cultural context in Nigeria
In-depth knowledge of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Strategy and Technical Guidelines in Nigeria/WHO AFRO Region
Experience of working in or with senior stakeholders in government Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and similar institutions in Africa/Nigeria
Experience in an organisation with complex stakeholder interactions
Proven track record of cross-team and cross organisation collaboration,
Ability to build and nurture key relationships and maintain effective networks
Experience of organising and managing event A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD)
Excellent computer skills and proficient in excel, word, outlook, PowerPoint
A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace