Project Coordinator (Epidemiologist)

The Project Coordinator through utilization of epidemiological skills, will coordinate with relevant stakeholders to thoroughly implement the defined activities ensuring that are aligned project requirement, scope and objectives. He/she will coordinate internal and external resources in ensuring that project day to day project activities remain within scope, schedule, and budget as outlined in the approved project work plan. The incumbent will be liaison person between Jhpiego and other NDoH and NICD directorates/centres working on epidemiology, surveillance and emergency/disaster preparedness in South Africa. Working under the supervision of Project Lead, He/she will analyse project progress and, when necessary, adapt scope or timeline to achieve optimal results. Following guidance from CDC, NDoH, NICD and Multidisciplinary Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) among others, he/she will provide administrative and technical support on assigned roles and tasks to team members based on their individual strengths and abilities. It would be very important for the Project Coordinator to foster the Jhpiego culture and work towards achieving project goals while adhering to local and international standards and best practices.  This is a fixed-term contract which expires on 30 September 2026 and is based in Gauteng, South Africa.

• Develop project schedule and timelines for monitoring progress; discuss and share with relevant program staff both internal and external for support and compliance.
• Ensure that all aspects of a project are organized and in conformance with timeline and deliverables per requirements.
• Develop and maintain project performance database that tracks overall progress and achievement of milestones; set up periodic reporting platforms to Project Lead.
• Work with internal and external team members including relevant staff/personnel from partners, stakeholders participating in the project to achieve project goals.
• Monitor project activities against timelines; identify and report project risks and outcomes and escalate issues to Project Lead
• Through guidance from Project Lead, write and contribute to reports, presentations, and publications through stakeholder engagements and contribution.
• Serve as point of communication between NICD, NDoH, and other partners at implementation level on updates, progress, monitoring and reporting of project activities.
• Monitor the project resources effectively to boost project efficiency and maximize deliverables output through utilisation of cost saving (doing more with less) measures.
• Support, organise and coordinate the admin and logistics of the project trainings in collaboration with relevant stakeholders/partners.
• Working with relevant stakeholders, support the strengthening implementation of the cross border surveillance activities in country and regionally.
• Working with relevant partners, support and coordinate the implementation of PHEM activities at national and provincial levels.
• Support the strengthening of operational functionality of PHEOCs at national and provincial levels.
• Coordinate partner/stakeholder expertise discussions on outbreak investigations to gather, analyse and disseminate information as guided by the Project Lead.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to develop, coordinate and support roll out plan for the Multidisciplinary FETP Frontline training plan.
• Support the administrative and coordination processes for regional, national and sub-national trainings for the EGHS project.
• Participate in the EGHS reporting platforms, i.e. Project’s monthly reporting meetings, GHS TWGs etc.
• Adhere to the organisation’s policies and procedures.
• Perform any other duties necessary for the accomplishment of the EGHS project as assigned by the Project Lead.

• Master's degree in Public Health or a related Field majoring in Epidemiology.  
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive work in epidemiology.
• Qualified Field Epidemiologist through the South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP).
• Proven experience in epidemiological analysis of surveillance data.
• Knowledge of 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.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Valid driver’s license [Code 10]
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple projects/tasks, multi-tasking, short deadlines, competing deadlines, and intense performance pressure.
• Ability to interact with established networks of high-level international health professionals, donors, academia and other partners.
• Ability to develop productive working relationships with counterparts in other agencies and organizations at the national level.
• Effective organizational skills, attention to details and ability to handle a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner.
• Highly motivated, energetic, independent self-starter with strong team orientation.
• Proficiency in computer applications to include MS Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel for business-related purposes; (up to 50%) often work from NDoH (Pretoria), NICD (Johannesburg), etc.

Desired

• Experience with NDoH and/or NICD, and other partners
• Familiarity working with donor projects, regulations, compliance, and reporting.
• Previous work with Jhpiego or similar global health security organizations.

Core Competencies

• Program management and coordination
• Epidemiology and Surveillance, and outbreak response expertise
• Stakeholder engagement and diplomacy
• Technical writing and reporting
• Adaptability, resilience, and innovation mindset

Core Competencies

• Program management and coordination
• Epidemiology and Surveillance, and outbreak response expertise
• Stakeholder engagement and diplomacy
• Technical writing and reporting
• Adaptability, resilience, and innovation mindset

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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