Epidemiologist
Work in Field

Epidemiologist

Being an epidemiologist with MSF is an exciting and diverse role.

In the midst of an outbreak, our project teams look to our epidemiologists to learn where and how fast a disease is spreading, and how it can be stopped.

As an epidemiologist, you will be tasked with defining, implementing and following up epidemiological activities, ensuring the proper implementation of protocols, the development of appropriate methodology and the quality of studies to identify risk factors for diseases and determining optimal treatment approaches to clinical practice and for preventive medicine to be used in the projects or missions. 

Responsibilities

  • Define, schedule and organize, in close collaboration with other medical team members, the annual epidemiological activity plan as well as its associated budget in order to improve early detection of risk factors to better define treatment approaches and preventive practices.
  • Lead the implementation of the protocols and epidemiological methodology, ensuring all related staff follows them in order to improve research efficiency.
  • Supervise, according to annual plan, epidemiological research activities.
  • Advise the MSF medical team on epidemiological matters that arise in the course of their activity research, and, when necessary, design and implement epidemiological tools and data collection to meet new epidemiological needs.
  • Ensure, in coordination with logistics department, that national or international shipment of laboratory samples acquired for research purposes is done within datelines and according to protocols, following security rules and keeping conditions needed for the sample.
  • Supervise data filing procedures ensuring that all epidemiology software tools are properly used and are updated regularly, in order to ensure full data traceability and availability.
  • Plan and supervise, in close coordination with the HR department and the MSF vision, policies and values, the associated processes (job description, recruitment, training, performance evaluation, development and internal/external communication) of the epidemiological staff in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required, improve people technical capabilities, contribution and their commitment to MSF values.
  • Supervises, in close coordination with the logistic manager, that research equipment and material is properly maintained, and stock level is above minimum point in order to ensure availability and research activity continuity.
  • Organize and/or assist medical staff in preparing epidemiological reports related to health facilities and to researched areas and participate in operational monthly reports.

Requirements

  • Degree or Masters’ Degree in Epidemiology, or an MPH with extensive epidemiology training.
  • Proven practical skills in design / implementation / evaluation of quantitative and qualitative epidemiological research methods.
  • Ability to design and implement surveillance and other data collection systems for disease and outbreak monitoring, including mortality and nutritional surveys, and to train others in appropriate data collection and analysis.
  • Proven practical skills with software for epidemiological database and statistical analysis (Microsoft Excel and at least one statistical program).
  • A minimum of three months experience of travelling/or work in a developing country or similar environment.
  • Ability to be a team leader i.e. supervising, managing and training others.
  • Ability to work with others in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary setting.
  • Able to organise and prioritise workload, using initiative when necessary.
  • Willingness to work in an unstable environment.
  • Available to work for at least three months.
  • Fluency in English

Desirable

  • Medical/biomedical background.
  • Familiarity with tropical diseases / infectious diseases.
  • Previous experience in a similar role with another non-governmental organisation (NGO).
  • Previous experience in a similar role in an unstable environment.

If you are an external applicant please apply via the link below:

If you are a locally hired MSF staff (or have previously worked with MSF in the last 12 months), please apply via the link below: