WHY CHOOSE INTRAHEALTH

Would you like to be a part of purposeful work that saves lives?

For 35 years, in 100 countries, IntraHealth International has empowered health workers to better serve communities in need. IntraHealth fosters local solutions to health care challenges by improving health worker performance, strengthening health systems, harnessing technology, and leveraging partnerships.

As a global champion for health workers, IntraHealth International advocates for the role of the health worker as critical in saving lives and helping the world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We partner with governments, NGOs, the private sector, and other organizations to foster policies that empower health workers to better serve communities in need.

BACKGROUND 

IntraHealth International, in collaboration with International Medical Corps, will support the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) strategy of protecting public health worldwide by supporting Cameroon’s government to bolster surveillance systems and build the capacity of the health care workforce. Epidemic-prone diseases including cholera, meningococcal cerebrospinal meningitis, yellow fever, and measles are of great concern in Cameroon and the current health care system is ill-equipped to deal with a major infectious disease outbreak. Additionally, Cameroon is at high risk for emergencies, as well as an influx of refugees from neighboring countries, increasing the need for a well-functioning disease surveillance system that reaches from the national to the community level. Currently, the disease surveillance and reporting system is functioning, however there is little or no capacity for identification and reporting at the community level, an integral part of the surveillance system.

IntraHealth International is seeking a Technical Advisor, Biosecurity to be based in Yaounde, Cameroon and will report directly into Technical Advisor, Health Workforce.

SUMMARY OF ROLE

The Technical Advisor, Biosecurity will coordinate training of surveillance personnel to increase the quantity of qualified persons, reduce redundancies and inefficiencies in reporting of targeted illnesses, and promote opportunities for inter-disciplinary learning. In coordination with in-country staff and stakeholders, he or she will lead efforts to train community observers in reporting and community-level health workers as field epidemiologists whose data and analysis will inform evidence-based policy, outbreak investigation, and event based surveillance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• In collaboration with Technical Advisor, Health Workforce, assess current state of surveillance training program; recommend and support scale-up activities as indicated
• Develop or adapt existing learning materials to use in training community-level personnel regarding the International Health Regulations, basic epidemiology, surveillance, and reporting
• Identify, train and develop a cadre of master-trainers to teach community-level personnel, including formal health workers, to identify and report illnesses of concern, and support the biosurveillance workforce once trained
• Ensure workforce is trained to use and access personal protective measures
• Advocate for inclusion of surveillance, data gathering, and data-informed decision making as essential parts of pre-service human and animal health worker education
• Advocate for the absorption and retention of trained personnel
• Adjourn Technical Working Group for inter-professional biosurveillance from relevant stakeholders
• Assist in formulation of expedited ethical review processes for emergency-related research or response activity implementation based upon current Institutional Review Board processes and WHO Technical guidance on research ethics in international epidemic response
• Assist in review of existing curricula in International Health Regulations, biosurveillance, and reporting of infectious diseases; recommend to TWG required competencies for basic biosurveillance training program

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• MBBS/MBChB/MD OR DVM/BVM&S degree with certification from the relevant statutory body OR public health degree focused upon infectious disease epidemiology or surveillance
• At least four years’ experience in a related position with relevant Ministry/ Parastatal/ Non-governmental Organization
• Experience supervising health and/or surveillance workforce required
• Experience teaching such workforce highly desired
• Experience planning and carrying out research (including IRB process) desired

Other Requirements

• Excellent English and French proficiency
• Successful completion of CAFELTP program strongly desired
• Prior work with US Government program implementation desired

Competencies

• Innovation- Develops new, better or significantly different ideas, methods, solutions or initiatives within your role that result in improvement of IntraHealth's performance and meeting objectives, results and global commitments.
• Accountability- Holds self and others accountable for all work activities, research and personal actions and decisions; follows through on commitments and focuses on those activities that have the greatest impact on meeting measurable high quality results for IntraHealth's success. Exercises ethical practices, respectful words and behaviors, and equitable treatment of others in all activities.
• Service Excellence- Knowledge of and ability to put into action customer service concepts, processes and techniques to access internal and/or external client needs and expectations and meet or exceed those needs and expectations through providing excellent service directly or indirectly.
• Strategic Thinking- Applies organizational knowledge to identify and maintain focus on key success factors for IntraHealth while recognizing, anticipating and resolving organizational challenges. Ability to develop organization and industry-specific expertise and apply sound decision making processes to reach productive resolutions that translates strategy into actionable business plans.
• Client Relationship Management- Knowledge and ability to determine and satisfy client needs (internally and externally) and maintain partnering and productive relationships during engagements, including influencing, communicating, presenting, facilitating, and managing new relationships.
• Effective Communication (Oral and Written)- Understands effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, explain complex technical concepts in simple, clear language appropriate to the audience; and receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS

IntraHealth International, Inc. is a great place to work and prides itself on its comprehensive benefits package. We offer competitive salaries and a dynamic inclusive work environment which supports health workers so they can improve the lives of people throughout the world.

IntraHealth International is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

When applying please include CV/Resume, Cover letter and 3 reference.

Email at jobscameroon@intrahealth.org.

Application deadline: March, 13th 2016