Epidemiologist - Training

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: | Epidemiologist – Training Division/Programme and Section/Project: | Public Health Division (PHD) / Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme Location: | Suva, Fiji Reporting to: | Team Leader - Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme Number of Direct Reports: | 0 Purpose of Role: | Strengthen and contribute to public health surveillance, preparedness and response and research in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and the Pacific region. This is through:(1) strengthening capacity for coordinated regional surveillance, (2) effective team management, administration and communication (3) enhancing evidence-based service delivery through research and (4) strengthening national and regional preparedness and response to public health threats or events. The position will work closely with Fiji National University and with other stakeholders in the delivery of the Strengthening Health Interventions in the Pacific - Data for Decision Making (SHIP-DDM) programme. Date: | August 2026 Organisational Context and Organisation Chart The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development across its 27 member countries and territories. The Public Health Division (PHD) supports member countries in attaining healthier Pacific Island people and communities by helping in public health surveillance, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and support laboratory and clinical services. The PHD is composed of five programs: 1) Surveillance, Preparedness, and Response Programme (SPRP); 2) Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Programme (NCDP); 3) Clinical Services Programme (CSP); 4) Laboratory Services Programme (LSP); and 5) Health Integration and Innovation Programme (HIIP). The overall objective of SPRP is to enhance the capability and the resilience of PICTs to health security threats brought about by emerging and re-emerging communicable disease outbreaks The structure of the Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme (SPRP) is as follows: Key Result Areas (KRAs): The position of Epidemiologist - Training encompasses the following major functions or Key Result Areas (KRAs): 1. Strengthen capacity for coordinated regional surveillance; 2. Team management, administration and communications; 3. Enhance evidence-based service delivery through research; 4. Strengthen preparedness and response to public health threats or events. The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below Jobholder is accountable for | Jobholder is successful when KRA#1 – Strengthening capacity for coordinated regional surveillance 40%- Focal person for SHIP-DDM and other relevant trainings, leading and coordinating activities under SHIP-DDM in conjunction with PICTs, PPHSN partners and other PPHSN service arms. - Forming effective relationships with member countries and partner agencies in the implementation of the SHIP-DDM programme in the Pacific. - Consulting with crosscutting technical bodies within PHD and SPC to support the identified public health priorities in the SHIP-DDM course and develop joint approaches for action. - Lead in developing capacity development plans for the implementation of SHIP-DDM in coordination with, or in consideration of, PHD and SPC’s programme activities, and the Pacific island countries and territories’ priorities. - Supporting planning and scaling up training in field epidemiology including surveillance, outbreak investigations, and data use among PICT health professionals. - Supporting planning and building capacity in the conduct of operational research (OR) studies among PICT health professionals. - Developing in-country capacity to apply core epidemiologic skills in strengthening | - Delivery of SHIP-DDM related activities (national, regional) including meetings held, collaborations established, capacity building, response and resources mobilized - Timely and effective communication with key SHIP-DDM focal points in member countries, partner agencies and donors. - Partnerships with member countries and external partners are strengthened for optimal implementation of SHIP-DDM programme and divisional activities. - Attending SHIP-DDM meetings with partner agencies and member countries. - Representing SHIP-DDM in regional and international meetings and conferences. - Partnerships with technical bodies and research institutions are developed and maintained through joint networks, studies, protocols, attachments, funding and publications. - Timely production of relevant work plans addressing the expressed needs of SPC member countries. - Develop and maintain the SHIP-DDM training schedule surveillance systems including the early warning systems (syndromic surveillance) and activities that support timely reporting of PPHSN target diseases, syndromes, and public health events. | - Review and update training materials periodically - Identify and liaise with facilitators to assist in the conduct of SHIP-DDM trainings - Actively participating in the review, development and delivery of training program in field epidemiology. - Training programmes and workshops receive positive evaluations and lead to improvement in routine surveillance and response outputs from PICTs and regional services. - Actively participating in the development of OR components (drafting protocols, implementing studies, collecting and analysing data, and writing manuscript) whether in-country or remote supervision. - OR studies as field projects lead to publication and/or policy change. - Graduates of SHIP-DDM programme leads in the analysis of surveillance data and producing surveillance reports; outbreak investigation and management and producing situation and outbreak reports. KRA#2 – Team management, administration and communications 20%- Contributing to an environment that fosters effective and harmonious working relationships. - Contributing to monitoring and evaluation of capacity development activities’ implementation. - Providing technical inputs in the development of concept papers, protocols, and proposals. - Contributing to programme, divisional and corporate meetings, publications and reports. - Contribute to management, monitoring and reporting on utilization of funds. | - Being visible, showing initiative and commitment, adaptable, non-judgemental, being an active listener, sharing opinions appropriately, showing respect for others, being supportive and contributing to SPRP activities in particular, and to PHD and SPC activities, in general. - Surveillance priorities and issues within area of expertise are communicated to the team. - Contributing to updating and/or completing programme progress reports. - Maintaining updated training and alumni databases. - Timely and relevant contribution in the development of papers and proposals for resource generation and mobilization. - Attend SPRP/PHD and SPC meetings and provide inputs when required. - Inputs to programme, divisional and corporate reports and publications that are evidence-based and timely. - Fund utilization reports are prepared and sent on time and according to project monitoring and evaluation framework. - Provide necessary documents and proof of fund utilization and reports as needed. KRA#3 – Enhance evidence-based service delivery through research 20%- Supervising the conduct of research activities as part of the output of SHIP-DDM programme including the PGDAE course. | - Collaborative research projects and activities are undertaken, and results shared with relevant stakeholders. - Documenting the results of research studies, and findings presented in appropriate medium and forums. - Develop in-country capacity to systematically analyse health data to address specific health problems and use data for decision making and policy development. | - Dissemination of operational research findings in nati