External Publication of Job Posting

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1 External Publication of Job Posting Job Posting Title COORDINATOR, REGIONAL COLLABORATING CENTRE SOUTHERN REGION Start Date End Date Reference Code CRCCS03 Job Title COORDINATOR, REGIONAL COLLABORATING CENTRE SOUTHERN REGION Organization The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) was officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 31, The Africa CDC is Africa s first continent-wide public health agency and envisions a safer, healthier, integrated and stronger Africa, where Member States are capable of effectively responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. The agency 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 programmes. Towards meeting its mission, the Africa CDC will work with African Union member states, WHO, and partners in the five geographic sub-regions of Africa to strengthen their capacity in five strategic priority areas: (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 and technology systems; and (5) public health research and public health institutes. The guiding principles of the Africa CDC include Leadership, Management, Finance, Workforce, Partnership and Innovation. In seeking to achieve this objective, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the reinforcement of its organizational structure and expertise. The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are national and citizens of Member States for a position Coordinator, Regional Collaborating Centre South Region for the Africa CDC. Candidates from the following least represented countries at the African Union Commission are encouraged to apply: Algeria, South Africa, Morocco, Angola, Ghana, Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, Namibia, Mali, Madagascar, Guinea-Conakry, Cape Verde, Central African Rep., Seychelles, Somalia, Guinea-

2 Bissau, Saharawi Arab D.R., Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe Department POST: Job title: Coordinator, Regional Collaborating Centre Southern Region Grade: P5 Department/Agency: Africa CDC Supervisor: Director - Africa CDC Duty Station: Lusaka, Zambia Number of Position: 1 Project JOB PURPOSE: Reporting to the Director, Africa CDC, the Coordinator of a Regional Collaborating Centre is responsible for providing leadership, direction and coordination for advancing African CDC strategic priorities and initiatives by working through regional implementing partners. These programmes and activities are designed to improve the health of the people of Africa through prevention of infection, surveillance and response to emergencies (including outbreaks, man-made and natural disasters, and public health events of regional and international concern), and building capacity to reduce disease burden on the continent. In leading a Regional Collaborating Centre of the Africa CDC, the Coordinator oversees, coordinates and ensures implementation of region-wide public health technical assistance for surveillance and epidemiologic activities, workforce development, strengthening of information systems, laboratory networks, operational and outcomes-based research and other related health systems strengthening activities. The Coordinator supervises and has line authority over other leadership posts within the RCC Secretariat, and other professional and support staff as appropriate. RCC work will be implemented primarily through Africa CDC Regional Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Networks (RISLNET) in collaboration with Member States, National Public Health Institutes, WHO and other technical partners to strengthen capacities and enhance efficiencies of existing public health assets in the region to effectively prevent, rapidly detect, and resolutely respond to current and emerging public health threats, including potential outbreaks and the spread of infectious diseases. Division activities will also build on existing public health disease surveillance systems and activities to generate data and reporting against targeted diseases to yield routine and events based surveillance information for the Africa CDC and Member State constituencies, and its core public health partners. The Division will also build related technical capacity of its constituent base through training and delivery of technical assistance. Factors in terms of the Africa CDC social and environmental will be relevant including demographic, hardship, travel and other local conditions. Tasks MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Coordinator, Regional Collaborating Centre shall: a) Facilitate and coordinate public health technical assistance between Regional Collaborating Centers and National Public Health Institutes (NPHI), by providing scientific and policy guidance on areas of public health practice, strengthening surveillance and information systems, workforce development and other areas; b) Lead efforts to build and strengthen the core capacity of NHPIs in African Union member states to implement continuous quality improvement guidelines necessary for the prevention of public health emergencies and threats;

3 c) Coordinate and facilitate the development of RCCs work plans for regional epidemiology and laboratory surveillance capacity strengthening, operational and outcomes-based research, workforce development, and other capacity building requirements; d) Working with the Principal RCC Coordinating Officer and Division Heads, fosters an enabling environment for research collaborations and information sharing among RCCs; e) Facilitate RCCs linkages to the Africa CDC Emergency Operations Center activities to ensure appropriate and rapid deployment of staff, materials and other outbreak response needs; f) Facilitate and coordinate development of RCCs preparedness and response plans and assessment activities, working in collaboration with the Head, Preparedness and Response Unit; g) Facilitate strengthening of RCC disease surveillance monitoring and reporting by facilitating adaptation of Africa CDC surveillance policies, guidelines, systems and tools, as appropriate for implementation in each RCC operational context. h) Facilitate the execution of Africa CDC technical reference policy, guidance, plans and tools into RCC contexts to ensure consistent implementation of public health activities in line with the Africa CDC strategic plan. i) Oversee, mentor and guide development of peer review research publications in epidemiology, surveillance or related health science. Directly prepares manuscripts for peer review publication in scientific journals. j) Represent the agency on behalf of the Director in technical meetings, conferences or similar venues where the agency seeks to be recognized to advance its mission and strategic goals. k) Represents the agencies scientific interests as a member of a scientific review committee, study group, public health task group, or comparable groups, delegated responsibility for reviewing and developing public health scientific policies, procedures and guidelines. l) Under the direction of the designated Africa CDC Incident Commander, coordinates the delivery of technical services in support of Africa CDC Emergency Response activities as appropriate and assigned. m) Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements 1. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & WORK EXPERIENCES REQUIRED: The minimum academic degree requirements are: a. Doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., Sc.D. or D.Ph.) in a relevant discipline such as, but not limited to, public health, basic health science (e.g., biology, chemistry), epidemiology and health-services research. b. Clinical degree (e.g., M.D, MPhil, in Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing) AND a Master Degree in Public Health or a related discipline. Required Professional Work Experience: a) A minimum of 12 years of relevant experience* in Public Health practice, with emphasis on infectious disease epidemiology, monitoring and surveillance, and operational research, with at least 5 years at senior management level with wide powers to lead and manage national, regional or global public health programmes; b) More than 10 years work experiences in public health infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance programmes at national, regional or continental public health organizations in either private or public sector domains; c) Record of high-quality, peer-reviewed epidemiology and/or outcomes research publications; d) Strong scientific leadership with proven skills in facilitation and coordination of research and public health epidemiology and surveillance programme and research activities, and motivating and developing people. e) Scientific, Technical and Managerial expertise and leadership in the development and enhancement of epidemiology and surveillance programmes and workforce capacity building in Africa, across different geographic regions; f) Experience in leading public health programmes; g) Broad experience in collaborating with research and programme partners and in managing multiple tasks and complex projects is expected;

4 *Relevant experience is defined as implementing/coordinating public health epidemiology and surveillance or other public health programme and/or health sciences research programme. 2. REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPENTENCIES: A. Functional Skills: Mastery of the theories, concepts, principles, practices, methods and techniques of public health programme administration and other aspects of the field of public health. Mastery of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of programme effectiveness or the improvement of complex public health management processes and systems. Skills in the analysis and subsequent response to scientific trends in emerging infectious diseases, and to develop, apply and adjust disease surveillance strategies and policies to further agency mission, goals and objectives. Skills and abilities to lead people toward meeting the organization s vision, mission, and goals and provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Strong leadership skills and presence at the executive level, with a proven ability to problem solve, communicate complex issues orally and in writing, and to work cooperatively and diplomatically with diverse stakeholders. Excellent technical expertise and experience in the management of complex, public health programmes. Comprehensive knowledge and expert skill in application of planning, budgeting, assessment, and evaluation techniques. Expertise in planning, organizing, and leading teams of scientific and technical experts, senior programme representatives, and extramural consultants in complex projects including programmatic analyses; Highest level of interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), tact, and sensitivity in the performance of duties. Outstanding representational skills and experience to interact effectively with senior-level officials within the organization in other key stakeholders in both public and private-sector organizations. Excellent negotiation skills. Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning, assessment and evaluation processes. Demonstrated ability with regard to computer skills, including office administration and statistical software applications and online digital information systems. B. Personal Abilities: Ability to manage complex operations and teams; ability to apply effective leadership and interpersonal skills through use of strategic thinking, team and project leadership, decision-making skills and personnel development including proven skills in supervision, team building, and motivating and developing people. Highly developed diplomatic, representational and interpersonal skills. Ability to effectively communicate both orally and by writing, programme goals, and objectives, including scientific justification of research and programmes and specific requirements. Ability to effectively delegate work to subordinate staff. Ability to operate in a multicultural environment. High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team-spirit. Adaptive, patient, resilient and flexible. Pro-active and solutions oriented. 3. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French and Portuguese) is required. Proficiency in English and French to address Member State representation of the East African Community is preferred. Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages would be an added advantage.

5 4. TENURE OF APPOINTMENT: The appointment will be made on Regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables. 5. GENDER MAINSTREAMING: The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified candidates, including women, are strongly encouraged to apply. 6. REMUNERATION: Indicative basic salary of US$ 50,746 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (44% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 20, (per annum), education allowance (100% of tuition and other education related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10, per child per annum), etc. for internationally recruited staff of the Commission. HOW TO APPLY: All applications must reach the African Union Commission not later than 31st May 2018 through the AU Commission's website Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application. Directorate of Administration and Human Resources Management, African Union Commission Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Contract Type Regular (Long Duration) Employment Fraction Full-time Branch Africa CDC City Lusaka