Senior Surveillance Officer (15 positions)

Jhpiego Rwanda is hiring Senior Surveillance Officers (15) for the USAID-funded Reaching Impact, Saturation, and Epidemic Control (RISE) Project in Rwanda. The Surveillance Senior Officers will play a critical role in enhancing One Health surveillance systems to improve preparedness and response to Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) and other zoonotic threats. These positions will focus on strengthening multi-sectoral disease monitoring, early warning, and reporting systems across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Embedded in targeted provinces, the Surveillance Senior Officer will collaborate with local health authorities, veterinary services, RDB (Rwanda Development Board), FAO, and other key stakeholders to ensure timely detection, reporting, and response to zoonotic outbreaks under a One Health approach.

Title: Senior Surveillance Officers (15 positions)

Grade: 9
Department/Project: RISE Project
Location: Kigali City, Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern Provinces
Position reports to: Surveillance Advisor
Positions supervised: TBD
Duration: 4 months

Jhpiego Expectations:

All staff members of Jhpiego, regardless of the level of their responsibilities are expected to:

- Model the mission and values of Jhpiego.
- Participate in the business development process.
- Contribute to the knowledge sharing and transfer process.
- Make responsible decisions that result in time and cost containment and clear accountability.
- Adhere to the Jhpiego code of conduct, policies and procedures.

• Surveillance System Strengthening:

o Support the implementation of integrated surveillance systems across human, animal, and environmental health sectors at provincial and district levels.
o Collaborate with FAO and RDB to enhance monitoring and early detection of zoonotic threats, particularly Marburg Virus Disease (MVD).
o Monitor and analyze surveillance data to identify potential outbreaks, facilitating timely reporting and response.
o Improve real-time reporting mechanisms by strengthening data collection, analysis, and dissemination tools.

• One Health Coordination and Collaboration:
o Facilitate multi-sectoral collaboration among provincial health teams, veterinary services, environmental officers, and USAID implementing partners.
o Support joint surveillance activities, such as outbreak investigations, field assessments, and sample collection across human and animal health sectors.
o Organize and participate in One Health surveillance coordination meetings at the district and provincial levels.
o Assist in harmonizing reporting standards and tools across the human, animal, and environmental sectors.

• Capacity Building:
o Provide technical assistance and on-the-job mentorship to local surveillance teams, including health professionals and veterinary officers.
o Contribute to training programs that strengthen the One Health approach for surveillance, detection, and response to zoonotic diseases.
o Support capacity-building initiatives for timely and evidence-based decision-making using surveillance data.

• Preparedness and Response:
o Contribute to provincial-level outbreak preparedness and response plans for Marburg Virus Disease and other zoonotic threats.
o Support outbreak investigations by coordinating with One Health teams and ensuring proper documentation and reporting.
o Identify gaps in surveillance systems and recommend practical solutions to improve early detection and preparedness.

• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
o Assist in monitoring surveillance indicators and ensure timely, high-quality reporting of project activities.
o Prepare detailed reports on surveillance interventions, successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
o Participate in project reviews and contribute to the development of evidence-based strategies for improved surveillance.

• Education:

o Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Epidemiology, Public Health, or related fields. A Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline is an added advantage.

• Experience:
o Minimum of 5-6 years of experience in zoonotic disease surveillance, public health, or veterinary epidemiology.
o Demonstrated experience working with multi-sectoral One Health teams, integrating human, animal, and environmental health surveillance systems.
o Experience in outbreak preparedness and response, particularly viral hemorrhagic fevers (e.g., Marburg, Ebola), is strongly preferred.

• Technical Skills:
o Strong knowledge of disease surveillance systems, zoonotic disease monitoring, and outbreak response protocols.
o Proficiency in data management tools (e.g., DHIS2, OpenMRS, or other surveillance platforms).
o Ability to analyze and interpret surveillance data to inform evidence-based decision-making.

• Other Skills:
o Excellent coordination, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills, particularly within government and international partner frameworks.
o Strong communication skills in English (verbal and written); knowledge of Kinyarwanda or French is an asset.
o Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, multicultural team in dynamic and high-pressure settings.
o High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to advancing global health security.
o Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Additional Requirements:
o Willingness to travel frequently to field sites across Rwanda.
o Familiarity with USAID or other USG regulations and compliance and reporting procedures and systems.
o Strong understanding of Rwanda’s health and veterinary systems, including One Health approaches.
o Rwandan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.  

#LI-CM5

Application submission deadline: 31st December 2024.

The position is on a national contract and only Rwandan are encouraged to apply. 

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers  (icims.com)

Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.

For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

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