Epidemiologist (One year fixed-term contract)

Main purpose of the job
To provide epidemiological expertise to a range of surveillance activities undertaken by the Centre for Respiratory Disease and Meningitis (CRDM) and to provide epidemiologic support to sites or countries that are conducting or planning to conduct surveillance for respiratory diseases and meningitis in the region.

Location
NICD Offices, Sandringham

Key performance areas

Design and implement epidemiologic studies and surveillance programmes relevant to CRDM or selected countries, including study design, data collection, data entry, data management, programme management and field implementation, data analysis and report or publication-writing.
Travel to selected countries to provide epidemiological support, liaise with laboratory and clinical teams and relevant public health institutions in the selected countries.
Participate actively in all training activities of the CRDM or relevant departments conducting surveillance at the selected countries which may include but are not limited to developing training material as required for training of laboratory and/or public health staff, and training surveillance or research staff, as required.
Create and produce reports and contribute significantly to existing NICD publications such as annual reports, site or country reports, communiqués and bulletins as well as produce scientific papers on relevant subjects.
Participate in relevant internal, provincial, national and international meetings.
Set up or assist in setting-up of data management processes (SOPS, data collection tools, tools for on-going assessment/monitoring site performance and databases) for the sites or selected countries.
Perform analysis of data including descriptive and analytic epidemiologic analysis.
Provide epidemiologic and statistical support (including univariate and multivariate analysis) to units within CRDM and surveillance sites in selected countries.
Provide skill transfer to surveillance staff, trainees and participate in teaching and supervision of students.
Comply with any reasonable and lawful instruction issued by the manager.

Required minimum education and training
Undergraduate degree with MPH, Field Epidemiology or Master’s degree in Epidemiologist and Biostatistics

Required minimum work experience
Minimum 3 years field experience in Infectious disease epidemiology surveillance or research.
Knowledge of statistical software packages for epidemiological analysis, MS Access, Excel, STATA or SAS

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities
Fluency in French and/or Portuguese is essential
Ability to travel on a regular basis (minimum of 8 weeks per year) and sometimes for extended periods to different sites and countries
Experience with data analysis and Public health research
Medical Science background will be an added advantage
Knowledge of Epidemiology and Statistical methods
Understanding of and commitment to primary health care systems in South Africa
Ability to travel on a regular basis (minimum of 8 weeks per year) and sometimes for extended periods to different sites and countries
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Problem solving skills
Enthusiasm for working in a multi-disciplinary environment
Ability to multitask and complete tasks
Self-motivated with a high regard for work ethics, values and integrity.
Attention to detail and ensure accuracy.

The closing date for all applications is 28 July 2016.
The Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates. Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications unsuccessful. In accordance with our Employment Equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.