Epidemiologist

Overview

To provide epidemiological and technical support to the district in disease surveillance including ensuring there is proper integration of surveillance systems, implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), investigating and analyzing the patterns and causes of diseases within populations, support the district to develop strategies for the prevention, and control of emerging diseases.

The Epidemiologist is a Full Time Fixed-Term role ending on 30 September 2025. Any contract renewal will be subject to funding availability and the ongoing needs of the organisation. The X9 Epidemiologists will be based at the following Districts:

1. EC – OR Tambo District
2. FS – Mangaung District
3. WC – City of Cape Town Metro
4. MP – Ehlanzeni District
5. NC – Francis Baard District
6. LP – Capricorn District
7. NW – Ngaka Modiri Molemo District
8. KZN – King Cetshwayo and Umkhanyakude Districts
9. GP – City of Tshwane District

Responsibilities

Management of Stakeholder Relations

• Working together with relevant local stakeholders and the district, implement the Community Event-Based Surveillance System.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary district teams, including statisticians, healthcare professionals, and public health officials on the operational activities of the district.
• Communicate complex epidemiological concepts in a clear and accessible manner to diverse audiences, including district management.

Planning and Coordination

• Implement the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response and ensure weekly and monthly reporting of IDSR priority conditions or events.
• Provide epidemiological capacity building and training to relevant health sector staff members on outbreak investigations, and early and timely detection of IDSR priority conditions or events.
• Strengthen the implementation of the Regulations relating to the surveillance and control of Notifiable Medical Conditions.
• Conduct surveillance of diseases to identify patterns, trends, and potential outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging diseases.
• Investigate and analyze the causes and risk factors associated with the occurrence of diseases.
• Strengthen the Notifiable Medical Conditions (NMC) surveillance system within the district and analyze surveillance information at provincial, district, and local levels.
• Provide support on data collection and collation and analysis by utilizing statistical methods and software to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Interpret surveillance data and communicate analysis outputs to inform planning and performance of the department.
• Provide epidemiological support during outbreak investigations and contribute to the writing of situational reports of the district.
• Provide support to the district by ensuring acceptability and use of the electronic surveillance systems (eIDSR) across facilities.
• Provide monitoring and evaluation support on the implementation of IDSR.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations on epidemiological findings including production of monthly epidemiological bulletins for internal and external stakeholders.

Administration and Operations

• Provide support on data collection and collation and analysis by utilizing statistical methods and software to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Provide monitoring and evaluation support on the implementation of IDSR.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations on epidemiological findings including production of monthly epidemiological bulletins for internal and external stakeholders.

Program Technical Output

• Implement the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response and ensure weekly and monthly reporting of IDSR priority conditions or events.
• Provide epidemiological capacity building and training to relevant health sector staff members on outbreak investigations, early and timely detection of IDSR priority conditions or events.
• Strengthen the implementation of the Regulations relating to the surveillance and control of Notifiable Medical Conditions.
• Conduct surveillance of diseases to identify patterns, trends, and potential outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging diseases.
• Investigate and analyze the causes and risk factors associated with the occurrence of diseases.
• Strengthen the Notifiable Medical Conditions (NMC) surveillance system within the district and analyze surveillance information at provincial, district, and local levels.
• Interpret surveillance data and communicate analysis outputs to inform planning and performance of the department.
• Provide epidemiological support during outbreak investigations and contribute to the writing of situational reports of the district.
• Provide support to the district by ensuring acceptability and use of the electronic surveillance systems (eIDSR) across facilities.

Required Qualifications

• Master's in Epidemiology or Field Epidemiology or Epidemiology and Biostatistics or MPH OR Bachelor’s degree and 6 to 7 years of progressively responsible and directly relevant experience required; advanced degree preferred.
• Proven experience in epidemiological analysis of surveillance data.
• Experience working with monitoring, reporting, and evaluation systems in government or NGOs.
• Knowledge of the National Health Act and International Health Regulations will be an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of statistical methods and software such as STATA or relevant packages.
• Strong knowledge of DoH policies and other legal documents such as Regulations relating to the Surveillance of NMCs.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to analyze information, evaluate alternatives, and make effective choices that lead to desirable outcomes.
• Effective organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to handle several activities or large volumes of work effectively and timeously.
• Ability to listen and probe to understand underlying needs or causes of an issue.
• Highly motivated, independent self-starter with strong team orientation.
• Presentation, interpersonal, writing, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• The successful candidate will have a passion for public health, a commitment to rigorous scientific inquiry, and the ability to translate research findings into actionable public health strategies.
• Valid driver’s license (Code 10).

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.