Public Health Specialist (Surveillance)
876-702-6000
HROKingstonjobs@state.gov
Duties
The Public Health Specialist (Surveillance) is the HIV/AIDS survey and disease surveillance portfolio manager. Job holder is the public health advisor responsible for providing technical expertise and assistance to the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) and other participating partners in the design, implementation and strengthening of routine disease surveillance systems and the conduct of large, complex surveys designed to measure HIV prevalence and other indicators of importance to evaluating the impact of HIV control programs. Carrying out these functions requires public health technical knowledge, results-oriented data analysis, advocacy, and the ability to facilitate communication and maintain collaborative working relationships with partner organizations. Job holder reports directly to the Regional Director and plays an active leadership role in the Mission’s PEPFAR Strategic Information (SI) Technical Working Group (TWG) and/or the Multi-sectored Technical Group.
Qualifications and Evaluations
- Requirements:
- EXPERIENCE: Three years of mid- to senior-level public health experience in the management and development of epidemiological surveillance, data management, and/or large scale surveys of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, or care programs are required. One additional year of experience at the managerial level is required.
JOB KNOWLEDGE: Job holder is required to have detailed knowledge of research methods and the collection, analysis and presentation of public health/epidemiologic data in order to plan, design, direct the implementation of and strengthen procedures for collection, analysis and dissemination of HIV/AIDS epidemiological and programmatic data. This includes knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of USG and internationally recognized standards for surveillance and survey regulations and procedures. Detailed knowledge of the host government health care system and structures including familiarity with Ministry of Health policies, program priorities and regulations is required. Good working knowledge of team management techniques to plan, organize and direct multi-disciplinary project teams and activities is required. Good working knowledge of overall administrative requirements in the development and support of grants, contracts, memoranda of understanding and cooperative agreements is required.
- Education Requirements:
- Master’s Degree – Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science Public Health (MSHP) Degree or host country equivalent in public health, medicine, public health policy, epidemiology, demography, or behavioural science is required.
- Evaluations:
- LANGUAGE: Fluent speaking/reading/writing English is required.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Strong analytical skills to readily understand and discuss new surveillance program design, management, and implementation approaches are required. This includes the development of evaluation designs, use of reliable and valid instruments, and methods for data collection, analysis and reports. Excellent oral and written communications skills are required to develop and maintain effective, sustainable working relationships with national and international working partners and to prepare substantive and analytical reporting. Strong management skills are required to operate independently with limited direct supervision of day-to-day activities and to lead results-driven project teams and workgroups. Excellent overall computer skills (keyboarding with both speed and accuracy) and advanced skill levels in use of at least one of the more common epidemiologic data analysis software (EPINFO, STATA, SAS, or SPSS) is required. Excellent numerical skills for manipulating and reporting statistical data is required. Experience in the setting of computer software development standards, specifications and guidelines as well as experience working within already set standards to implement IT solutions is required. The incumbent will be expected to exercise tact in applying PEPFAR guidelines to unique and different public health surveillance activities, as surveillance programs and surveys are highly complex and can be threatening to stakeholders. Ability to persuade others, ingenuity and innovation will be required to influence collaborative organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs to adopt appropriate strategies for improving the surveillance and survey process.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.
- Qualifications:
- All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.
Benefits and Other Info.
- Benefits:
Agency Benefits:
Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Kingston, Jamaica may receive a compensation package that may include health and life insurance, US and Jamaican holidays and other benefits. For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office. The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.
Other Information:
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:
AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
AEFM / USEFM
FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **
* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honourable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link
How to Apply
- All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Local Security Certification, Public Trust clearance.
To apply for this position click the “Submit Application” button. For more information on how to apply, visit the Mission internet site.
- Required Documents:
- In order to qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested diploma and/or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this position.
- Copy of Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent) (if applicable)
- Residency and/or Work Permit (if applicable)
- Degree (not transcript)
- Language Scores (if available and applicable)
- DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
- SF-50 (if applicable)
- Next Steps:
- Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
For further information – the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Kingston, Jamaica.