Senior Epidemiologist

Description The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is seeking applications from qualified applicants for a Senior Epidemiologist position located in Lusaka, Zambia. The resultant contract shall be a Personal Services Contract (PSC). See PL 109-149, Section 215(1), Reference 22U.S.C.2669(c). SOLICITATION NUMBER: 2009-Q-11003 POSITION NUMBER: ZM-PSC-02 ISSUANCE DATE: 10/17/2008 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 11/03/2008 at 3:00PM Eastern Standard Time POSITION TITLE: Senior Epidemiologist BASIC SALARY: $ 67,260 to $ 107,180 per year -- Final compensation will be based on individual salary history, work experience, and educational background. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One Base Year and Four Option Years PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Lusaka, Zambia SECURITY CLEARANCE: NACI (Non-sensitive) AREA OF CONSIDERATION: United States Citizens and residents and third country nationals. Citizens and permanent residents of the host country are not eligible for this position. Duties and Responsibilities: The Senior Epidemiologist (incumbent) is responsible for coordinating, managing and facilitating all survey and disease surveillance activities funded through PEPFAR CDC Zambia, including the design of routine disease surveillance systems with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other relevant Ministries, and the conduct of large, complex surveys designed to measure HIV prevalence and other indicators of importance to evaluating the impact of HIV control programs. This position is responsible for the development of scopes of work, project plans and timelines, and for reviewing protocols, questionnaires, and standard operating procedures for these activities. Disease surveillance systems to be strengthened or developed may include those related to HIV/AIDS, STI, and mortality reporting. Surveys to be coordinated may include Behavioural Surveillance Surveys (BSS), AIDS Indicator Surveys (AIS), Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), mortality, and Antenatal Care (ANC) sentinel surveillance surveys. Partners to which incumbent provides technical or managerial oversight include Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ), national universities and hospitals, international NGOs and private sector partners. The position reports directly to the Chief, Epidemiology and SI Branch. Incumbent participates in the PEPFAR Strategic Information Technical Working Group to ensure that epidemiology and surveillance systems are meeting the needs of the national HIV/AIDS Program and that PEPFAR Zambia program priorities are developed. Incumbent's primary responsibility is to develop HIV/AIDS activities and programs, as defined in the PEPFAR Country Operations Plan. Incumbent works, at both a supervisory and a project management level, to coordinate the design, implementation, and strengthening of surveillance systems and health surveys related to HIV/AIDS. At a technical level, incumbent ensures appropriate, high quality implementation of these systems and surveys. Incumbent also works with USG partners, at both implementer and national levels, to quantify progress towards targets set for PEPFAR. Major Duties of this position include: Management of Epidemiology and Surveillance Portfolio: - Develops and monitors the PEPFAR-funded epidemiology and surveillance portfolio, including technical management of cooperative agreements, and tracks other health surveys of particular interest to CDC- Zambia. - Serves as the primary point of contact for information related to design, partners, timelines, funding, and results of surveys, and works with the SI team to develop plans for new surveys to meet the strategic information needs of the USG and the country. - Works with the Chief, Epidemiology and Strategic Information Branch to plan and implement activities that strengthen SI in collaboration with the Ministry of Health MOH), the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the National AIDS Council (NAC), collaborating USG agencies (DOD, USAID,DOS, Peace Corps, NIH) and with other partners to support the in-country public health sector. - Leads and provides technical assistance to both CDC-Zambia staff and partners in Epidemiology and Surveillance activities. - Works closely with CDC staff across HIV/AIDS technical areas to ensure that epidemiologic and surveillance data generated by both USG-supported surveys and MOH surveillance systems are used for program planning, policy development, advocacy, and impact evaluation. - Provides direct supervision to the CDC Epidemiology and Surveillance Team of three-five staff, including one or more fellows providing survey management support for specific surveys. The incumbent may also provide direct project management and technical assistance to complex and large scale surveillance projects. - Assists in the completion of the USG Country Operation Plan and the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports as they relate to surveillance and survey activities. - Participates in PEPFAR inter-agency portfolio review for activities relevant to his/her scope of work. - In collaboration with the Chief, Epi and SI Branch, serves as the primary point of contact for epidemiology and surveillance activities within the USG mission, coordinates activities with other donors, multilateral organizations, and non-PEPFAR partners to avoid duplication of effort. - Prepares, revises, and submits for approval a wide variety of research and public health evaluation protocols, to IRBs, Ethics Committees, and CDC clearance. Maintains ethical approval continuations with CDC IRB; works closely with Partners to help ensure local ethical continuations are up-to-date. - Collaborates with Zambian Central Statistical Office and the US Census Bureau to implement SAVVY (Sample Area Vital Registration and Verbal Autopsy). - Maintain SI survey and research ethical approval continuations with CDC IRB; work closely with Partners to help ensure local ethical continuations are up-to-date. - Participates in and provides technical assistance to the NAC-facilitated Epidemiological Synthesis of HIV data - Develop training materials that will be used by staff at the local and peripheral levels for SI collection, management, interpretation and reporting. Data Analysis and Interpretation: - Coordinates capacity building within MOH, other relevant Ministries, NAC, CSO, and other domestic organizations to analyze and integrate data describing the HIV epidemic and the national response. - Provides technical assistance to the MOH, the SI Technical Working Group, and other agencies with respect to analysis and interpretation of HIV epidemiology and surveillance data. - Facilitates and coordinates specific epidemiology and surveillance technical assistance from CDC Atlanta and other partners. - Provides data quality assurance support for ongoing surveys Supervision of Epidemiology and Surveillance Team: - Exercises broad supervision over team of 3-5 professional and support staff. Plans and directs the selection of subordinate technical and clerical personnel, including orientation, training, and establishment of work standards, daily supervision and performance evaluation. Coordination of Disease Surveillance: - Coordinates capacity building within the MOH and other relevant Ministries to implement and strengthen HIV, STI, and mortality epidemiology and surveillance systems. - Provides technical assistance to MOH, NAC, CSO and other partners to support systems development and data analysis. - Coordinates with counterparts at UN agencies to avoid duplication of effort. Incumbent directly supervises team of 3-5 professional and support staff. Plans and directs the selection of subordinate technical and clerical personnel, including orientation, training, and establishment of work standards, daily supervision and performance evaluation. Additionally, incumbent works in an advisory capacity providing information that will allow CDC and its partners to better determine overall surveillance needs. Incumbent meets with and organizes activities for members of MOH, NAC, CSO and multi-agency teams assigned to assess high-level, technical or very specific surveillance issues, particularly to assure a harmonized approach to surveillance of HIV/AIDS programs in Zambia. Incumbent oversees partner organizations providing technical assistance to MOH, NAC, CSO and NGO teams implementing national surveys. This requires complex organization, task assignment and management of many people involved in the execution of CDC and PEPFAR-funded surveillance activities, including TDY epidemiology and other technical staff, university students, and volunteers. Incumbent will routinely work with 10groups of 2-10 members each and one group that averages over 100. Incumbent provides technical oversight and guidance to contractors involved in PEPFAR surveillance activities to ensure that contract provisions are being followed. Incumbent also directs the work of short-term surveillance contractors (two per year) and will manage all requests, including projecting needs far in advance for contract assistance) and contracts supporting the delivery of epidemiology or surveillance services. Incumbent also provides technical input into various contracted goods and services, including, but not limited to database software, information applications, and software development companies. Incumbent collaborates with MOH, NAC and CSO officials to assess need for, and to develop, provide, and evaluate both formal classroom and informal (workshop, seminar) training for PEPFAR, national and local agency staff in collection, management, analysis, quality assurance, and storage of surveillance and monitoring data. Provides formal and on-the-job training on methods used in the collection and use of epidemiological survey and surveillance data to approximately 150 staff per year. This training also may be provided to new staff at PEPFAR-funded organizations, as needed. Provides guidance on allocation of tasks for administrative personnel who are providing assistance to surveillance projects that incumbent manages, such as procurement or secretarial duties. As a member of the cross-cutting Technical Working Group on Strategic Information, incumbent is required to provide daily work guidance to support and TDY staff for technical assistance consultancies. Incumbent is provided equipment necessary to perform the duties, including a personal computer (PC) with all relevant software and hardware, internet, fax machine, photocopier, digital scanner, and desk (worth approximately $5,000). Normal expendable supplies will be provided by the CDC/GAP office on a regular and ongoing basis. (approximately $100/month). Additionally, incumbent monitors, projects and is required to develop consolidated supply inventory for ad hoc and ongoing national surveillance surveys (approximately $750,000 annually). Incumbent helps prepare supporting budgetary documentation for procurements of contracted services. Incumbent oversees the CDC budget for surveillance and survey activities, which ranges from $1.9-$2.2 million in FY 2008. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining print and electronic archives on strategic information activities and reporting indicators and other surveillance data for periodic monthly, quarterly and annual reports. Incumbent also maintains files on relevant surveillance and survey activities from year to year for detailed PEPFAR reporting for analysis and development of narrative reports. These data will be filed or stored to facilitate ready access on any given indicator and for partner activities. Incumbent also is responsible for maintaining secure access to survey data when protocols allow or require CDC to participate in data analysis activities, including appropriate access control and archival activities Incumbent has responsibility for providing assistance in developing contracts with national and international consultants for surveillance services, including defining requirements, development deliverables, project monitoring and evaluation. Incumbent also may support larger centrally procured contracts. Incumbent reports to the CDC Chief, Epidemiology and Strategic Information Branch and has a great deal of latitude in determining daily routines and activities. Incumbent usually receives general guidance on overall section goals and priority determinations that in some cases may have been provided by the GAP Country Director or from the Atlanta HQ or Washington level. Employee then proceeds with developing individual work plans toward those goals. Employee must also work with various groups and participate in high-level interagency meetings and committees as a technical expert contributing independent comments, judgments and conclusions. Incumbent has significant independence to execute the duties described in the position description. This independence requires regular communications to be initiated with partners and other agencies without specific direction or consent given by the supervisor. Individual thought and action to take the initiative in proposing plans or a given course of action is encouraged, and incumbent may, at times, oppose or veto the actions of others when those actions would contradict or run counter to established guidelines governing the collection or dissemination of this data. An important part of the responsibilities of this position is problem resolution and determining the best approach to take individually or as a group to resolve problems or situations encountered, whether it is an epidemiologic approach or a data collection dilemma. Incumbent's expertise, specific knowledge and experience demand the ability to resolve even the most difficult surveillance-related problems independently. As a recognized surveillance expert, provides scientific advice and consultation in devising solutions to critical problems by developing approaches consistent with current best practices. Incumbent has the discretion, authority and ability to manage these projects, to make day-to-day decisions on direction and approach and to adjust plans to meet emerging issues. Examples of problem solving include: negotiating solutions when individual surveillance program demands of different partners conflict with national or USG surveillance goals; provision of direct technical support to partners on issues related to the collection and/or transmission of surveillance data. The duties of incumbent, including project oversight, require working closely with in-house staff and multiple partners external to the organization (e.g., USG and non-USG funded agencies, other multi- and bilateral donors.) Incumbent does not control the overall management or implementation of projects, though the sphere of influence and range of assistance provided to individuals and numerous agencies is significant. Incumbent is responsible for providing overall direction and technical assistance in the development of the long-term national surveillance strategy. This includes building the capacity to develop budgets and work plans, to determine and adjust work priorities, and to resolve routine and complex problems for the project as they arise. Incumbent has the authority to develop and adjust long-range strategic plans with senior level MOH, NAC and CSO officials, to counsel and guide them in the setting of priorities necessary to make substantive changes in the delivery of epidemiology and surveillance services. This long-term effort requires the formulation of detailed proposals for the development or refinement of national surveillance policy and the development and dissemination of technical and administrative guidance documents. Incumbent is central to this effort and is required to monitor and evaluate progress, to make adjustments of project impact and outcome, and to carefully document the results. Incumbent makes recommendations regarding mechanisms and partners for COP planning regarding survey activities. Incumbent may recommend contracting short-term staff, where appropriate, for data entry or other activities related to surveys and surveillance. Provides highly technical advice to PEPFAR colleagues, MOH, NAC, CSO and implementing partners related to surveillance monitoring of PEPFAR program progress. Assists in formulation of annual and strategic plans for overall program direction. Develops and provides guidance for technical documents, policies, protocol manuals, etc., related to program epidemiology and surveillance. Incumbent facilitates and leads multi-sectoral working groups with government and partner agency staffs that decide and support national survey programs. Incumbent provides technical consultation and advice on the progress and the impact of the epidemiology and surveillance of HIV, STIs, deaths, etc., and is the primary point of contact for all CDC and PEPFAR-funded surveillance and survey activities. Incumbent provides specific and relevant advice and recommendations to others inside and outside the CDC Zambia office, including the identification of partners and mechanisms that can be used to complete required surveillance activities. Incumbent also coordinates technical assistance from CDC headquarters in response to requests for surveillance and survey assistance from partners. Incumbent provides regular progress reports to the Chief, Epidemiology and SI Branch and to the CDC Country Director. Progress reports on partner activities allow staff to assess the degree to which CDC and PEPFAR will be able to effectively evaluate the impact of their programs. Incumbent provides specific and relevant advice and recommendations on changes to epidemiology and/or surveillance requirements, and on partners experiencing technical difficulties collecting or transmitting required data. Incumbent also coordinates technical assistance from CDC headquarters in response to requests for such assistance from partners. Incumbent ensures that information, such as national HIV prevalence estimates, are available to CDC and PEPFAR managers. Incumbent has a significant impact on the formulation and delivery of epidemiology and surveillance services within Zambia. Incumbent spends a great deal of time and works closely with MOH, NAC and CSO project staff and with other partner organizations funded by PEPFAR to provide the most up-to-date epidemiology and surveillance support. The success of these collaborative activities is highly dependent on the ability of incumbent to forge links that positively impact USG-funded activities. Through daily work activities, from the beginning design phase of surveys and as data collection is implemented, incumbent must develop relationships with numerous individuals from various disciplines to not only assure that effective surveillance techniques and processes are incorporated that will allow officials to measure their progress, but also to substantially increase the level of technical expertise locally. The success of these collaborative activities is highly dependent on the ability of incumbent to develop these bonds and to forge links that positively impact USG-funded surveillance activities. Moreover, incumbent ensures that data necessary to evaluate the impact of PEPFAR programs, such as national HIV prevalence estimates, are made available to partners on a timely basis. Knowledge: Essential Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation, epidemiological surveillance, and complex survey methods through training and job experience. Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles, policies, implementation, and evaluation of USG supported HIV/AIDS programs. Extensive knowledge of and experience with the principles, theories, and practices of HHS/CDC surveillance and survey regulations and procedures management which enable incumbent to serve as an authority and consultant to funded partners. Knowledge of routine health information systems in developing countries, and knowledge of HIV reporting systems required. MD, PhD or DrPH level degree in public health, public policy, epidemiology, surveillance, demography, or related health field. Incumbent is expected to possess the necessary technical training and skills required to perform the duties and responsibilities required of the position. Incumbent must have sufficient graduate-level training in managing and analyzing data as demonstrated by participating in previous surveillance or survey-related activities Necessary post-entry training will be provided on-site or at Regional or Atlanta-based facilities. Post-entry training will be focused primarily on PEPFAR and HHS/CDC established policies, procedures and regulations that govern specific activity management, including monitoring and program assessment/evaluation systems. No professional affiliations are required Five years of progressively responsible work experience in developing epidemiological surveillance and/or large-scale surveys of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, or care programs. At least two years of this must be in supervision and management with responsibility for interacting with supervisors, subordinates and professional staff from other institutes or organizations. Level 4 English Fluency Must possess excellent interpersonal communication and negotiation skills and demonstrate cooperative working relationships with host government public health personnel and NGOs to effectively implement surveillance systems and ad hoc surveys. Demonstrated ability to identify priority actions, generate and to complete work plans within short time frames. Ability to readily analyze, understand, and discuss new surveillance program design, management, and implementation approaches Knowledge and skill to supervise and manage professional and support staff engaged in activities which impact directly on guidelines, fiscal and operational directives, etc. Excellent overall computer skills and advanced skill levels in use of at least one of the more common epidemiologic data analysis software (EPIINFO, STATA, SAS, or SPSS) Skills necessary to write clear and concise documents, reports, program and policy guidelines, directives, articles for peer review; Skill and ability to orally present programmatic matters clearly to an audience. Time required for a qualified outside job holder to perform the full range of duties and responsibilities of the job after first entry into the position six months Desired Knowledge of general MOH strategies, guidelines and procedures for HIV programs in Sub-Saharan Africa generally, and particularly in Zambia. Knowledge of routine health information systems in developing countries, Knowledge of relevant cultural context and local beliefs that may affect and/or facilitate general MOH strategies, guidelines and procedures for HIV programs in Sub-Saharan Africa generally, and particularly in Zambia. Experience in providing training and/or mentorship in the field of surveillance or strategic information at an individual and group level. Experience working on epidemiologic surveillance with one or more international agency systems in Southern Africa, preferably with USG or UN agencies. Intellectual Skills: Incumbent works in a highly detailed and complex information environment. Incumbent also must have strong knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of HIV/AIDS epidemiology and surveillance. Reporting guidelines are updated routinely and incumbent is expected to keep up with changes and communicate them to partners, as needed. Incumbent also is expected to stay current with developments in the field of HIV surveillance. More generally, incumbent must know and understand specialized, technical public health information, including: 1. Policies on HIV surveillance at the international and national levels; 2. Guidelines, instructions, manuals and technical journals indicated for epidemiology and surveillance activities at national and project levels; and 3. Standard guidelines and instructions to develop and manage epidemiologic surveillance and survey protocols. The work is highly complex, covering a multitude of projects undertaken by different implenting partners. For example, incumbent must be able to successfully balance differing perspectives from implementing partners while influencing the development of a comprehensive national surveillance system. The position requires in-depth bio-statistical analysis and determination of best options in order to meet organizational objectives. These analyses will be quantitative and qualitative in nature, as required for the annual and semi-annual reports, the Country Operational Plan (COP), UNAIDS surveillance, NIH and UNGASS reporting. Problems encountered may vary significantly among the range of projects, and considerable judgment and analysis is required to reach appropriate resolutions. Incumbent must, for example, assist MOH, NAC, CSO and other partners who encounter difficulties collecting, sending or using data to support program surveillance activities. Most common problems encountered: Determining options for collecting and organizing project data; partners that do not understand surveillance reporting requirements; clarifying reporting requirements; and collecting or filing data by a reporting deadline. Most difficult problems encountered: Study design of surveys and program evaluation projects to ensure that a protocol meets CDC standards for ethical approval; developing long-term, sustainable capacity within partners to manage their surveillance systems, e.g., moving from PEPFAR-controlled to host nation-controlled and owned surveillance systems. Detailed plans for project activities must be conceptualized well in advance while indicators must be developed to collect specific data from project activities before activities ever actually begin. This requires a great deal of forward planning and coordination with other PEPPFAR, MOH, NAC, CSO and other staff. Incumbent is a major contributor to the development of the COP with regard to surveillance and public health evaluation planning and is actively involved in the ongoing analysis and revision of the documents that outline program goals and objectives for the fiscal year. This entire process involves scheduling carefully and accurately for activities that will occur anywhere from one to three years in advance. Incumbent contributes to COP sections involving surveillance activities and also advises the PEPFAR senior technical staff on surveillance issues as they pertain to the development of long-term strategic planning documents. Incumbent is expected to proactively seek opportunities for program improvements that may include the development and implementation of new or revised surveillance strategies and interventions. Incumbent is expected to keep abreast of new developments and innovations in the field; also is expected to contribute new ideas, and adapt techniques and procedures as required by CDC and PEPFAR. Innovations are particularly important with regard to the design and implementation of public health evaluations and national surveys in order to respond to changing indicator needs or logistical and ethical considerations emerging from CDC, PEPFAR, or UNAIDS. Communications: As technical lead on epidemiology and surveillance activities for CDC Zambia, incumbent communicates with a wide variety of people at many different levels (professional and political), both inside and outside of PEPFAR and CDC (e.g., national, provincial, district health agencies, international organizations, universities). Incumbent must provide consistent and credible representation of PEPFAR to MOH, donors, other partners and coordination bodies for epidemiology and surveillance technical, policy, and program evaluation and management issues. Has frequent contacts with both mid-level and high-ranking officials of MOH, NAC, CSO and other partners to define and/or reorient strategies, discuss changing surveillance needs, and translate policy into program action. Represents PEPFAR and CDC to multilateral donor coordination bodies in discussion of surveillance theory and techniques. Specific examples of the types of communication include: 1. With PEPFAR and CDC: Discusses Epidemiology and surveillance program planning and management activities and interpretation of results. With MOH, NAC, CSO and staff of technical working groups: Provides technical assistance, detailed explanations and advice to support and train staff in the development of surveillance systems. Strong persuasive skills may be needed to convince high-level decision makers of the need for development and maintenance of dynamic and effective surveillance systems. Routine transmission of information: with colleagues, partners, and contract staff to collect and verify information pertaining to surveillance program planning, implementation or evaluation Tact and diplomacy: in frequent contact with senior and mid-level officials of MOH and collaborating institutions, such as national program directors and physicians, staff of local, central and international agencies, and NGOs. With counterparts at national level, to ensure good collaboration and understanding between PEPFAR and agencies to implement supported activities smoothly and in an efficient and constructive manner. Complex explanations: to communicate highly complex procedures in the collection and processing of HIV/AIDS data to assure accurate results for analysis and decision making. Formal training/teaching: acts as a trainer and/or faciliator in training courses on the use of new epidemiology and surveillance techniques. Influencing/persuading: when working with MOH, NAC or CSO senior-level decision makers, to develop a national monitoring and evaluation system to standardize data collection techniques and processes nationwide. Formal presentation/public speaking: with partners and among colleagues, as needed, for presenting or reviewing survey results. Interviewing: when hiring staff for CDC team. Leadership: to move peers and senior level MOH, NAC, CSO and partners, both at local and at international conferences and meetings, to adopt new and innovative epidemiology and surveillance concepts and interventions. Must be able to clearly present technical procedure manuals and supporting documentation to support staff implementing, maintaining or evaluating surveillance systems. Incumbent must be able to communicate clearly in writing inasmuch as documents produced, e.g., PowerPoint presentations, abstracts, posters to national and international audiences or individual activity narratives within the annual COP, will define the issues, provide a clear background statement and discuss the rationale for the activity in a way that is understandable. Working Environment: The majority of the work is performed in an office environment, which is generally adequately lighted, heated or cooled, and ventilated. Approximately 20% of incumbent's time will be spent in a field setting inasmuch as this position requires regular visits to MOH, NAC, CSO and partner organizations, some in more remote project sites throughout Zambia. Travel to project sites may expose incumbent to common hazards related to travel in the area, such as malaria, and traffic accidents, but none to which other CDC staff members are not subjected to as well. Job is primarily sedentary, but may be somewhat stressful in terms of long hours, meetings in the evenings or weekend and work requiring short deadlines at times. Occasional fieldwork supervision may require visiting remote survey clusters on foot. Incumbent may have to work outside official hours in order to meet deadlines, or for routine travel or work away from duty station Other: Incumbent is a high level public health professional who routinely conducts highly complex tasks or related activities with PEPFAR funded projects, and who provides expert level epidemiology and surveillance assistance to other external implementing p...