ABOUT FHI 360:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project is a global health initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State, running from 2019 to 2027. In the Philippines, EpiC has two workplans each with its own technical scope and budget, one focused on achieving HIV epidemic control and one focused on strengthening global health security (GHS). The role outlined in this job description supports EpiC’s GHS workplan.
EpiC’s GHS workplan aims to strengthen national, subnational, and local capacities for the prevention, detection, and response to public health emergencies, including pandemic preparedness. Support is delivered across multiple technical areas, including Zoonotic Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Laboratory Systems, Surveillance, Public Health Emergency Management, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging. All activities and sub-activities under each technical area are aligned with and informed by national priorities and strategies, including the National Action Plan for Health Security (2025–2030), the National Framework of the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS), and the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) 2025–2030.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Data Specialist will provide specialized technical leadership and hands-on support to strengthen, stabilize, and modernize the Philippines’ national surveillance information systems under the EpiC Global Health Security (GHS) project. Reporting to the Senior Technical Specialist for Epidemiology, this position will play a central role in restoring and stabilizing surveillance operations following recent cyber disruptions, while laying the technical foundations for a secure, interoperable, and resilient public health intelligence system. The Data Specialist will work closely with the Department of Health – Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB), KMITS, RITM, regional and local surveillance units, and project technical teams to improve data quality, system functionality, analytics, and usability across PIDSR, Event-Based Surveillance (EBS), Case-Based Surveillance (CBS), DHIS2, LIMS, and genomic surveillance platforms. The role bridges informatics, surveillance operations, and outbreak response—ensuring that data flows from frontline detection to national decision-making are timely, secure, and actionable.
The Data Specialist provides technical support and guidance to staff and partners in carrying out data management tasks and other relevant program activities. And provides subject matter expertise in the design, implementation, and management of data collection and quality assurance tools and systems. The data specialist reports to the Senior Technical Specialist for Epidemiology, and will be responsible for the technical oversight, stabilization, and modernization of the Philippines' national surveillance information architecture with the primary focus to restore functions following recent cyber-disruptions while laying the technical foundations for an integrated, interoperable, and secure public health intelligence system (PIDSR, EBS, CBS, and Laboratory/Genomic data).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Stabilization and Modernization of National Surveillance Information Systems
Lead technical support for restoring and stabilizing Case-Based Surveillance (CBS) and Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) operations following cyber disruptions, in close coordination with DOH-EB and KMITS.
Provide technical oversight for the DHIS2 surveillance environment to ensure core functions, reporting workflows, and data pipelines are fully operational at national and subnational levels.
Oversee clean-data restoration protocols to ensure post-cyberattack datasets are accurate, validated, and free from corruption or data loss.
Support improvements to PIDSR and EBS workflows, including system stability, automated alerts, reporting efficiency, and usability for frontline and regional users.
2. Data Integration, Analytics, and Decision-Support Systems
Lead development and operational use of interactive dashboards and analytics platforms integrating CESR, PIDSR, EBS, CBS, LIMS, and genomic surveillance data.
Support integration of laboratory and genomic data streams with epidemiologic surveillance to shorten the time from detection to confirmation and response.
Develop predictive analytics, early-warning indicators, and automated alerts to support the 7–1–7 detection and response cycle.
Ensure surveillance data products are usable by ESUs, PHEOCs, laboratories, and decision-makers at all levels.
3. Data Quality, Governance, and Cybersecurity Compliance
Formulate, implement, and enforce data quality standards, validation rules, and quality assurance protocols across surveillance platforms.
Ensure compliance with national data privacy laws, cybersecurity standards, and access control requirements.
Support implementation of role-based access, encryption, backup, and recovery protocols in collaboration with DOH and project technical teams.
Assist in defining data specifications, data transfers, summary tables, and audit-ready documentation for internal and donor review.
4. Subnational Capacity Building and Operational Support
Mentor regional and local epidemiology and surveillance units (RESUs, LESUs, hospitals) on data entry, cleaning, visualization, interpretation, and use of automated alerts for outbreak verification and response.
Support frontline and subnational teams in troubleshooting data submission issues, connectivity challenges, and reporting delays.
Co-develop SOPs, surveillance toolkits, job aids, and outbreak investigation guides to standardize data practices across regions.
5. Data Management, Systems Design, and Program Support
Provide systems analysis and technical input for surveillance platform enhancements, workflow redesign, and informatics improvements.
Support development and implementation of project data management plans and informatics-related workplans.
Assist with preparation of technical inputs for proposals, reports, presentations, and donor deliverables related to surveillance and data systems.
Participate in data presentations, technical reviews, and national or subnational coordination meetings as required.
6. Coordination and Cross-Technical Collaboration
Work closely with Surveillance, Laboratory & Diagnostics, BSBS, EMCE, and Emergency Management technical teams to ensure data systems support operational response.
Coordinate with RITM and laboratory networks to ensure laboratory and genomic data are reflected in surveillance analytics and reporting.
Support documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and innovations for knowledge management and scale-up.
7. Other Duties
Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor in support of the EpiC/GHS
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Demonstrated expertise in database management, cybersecurity awareness, and DHIS2 expertise
Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required
Proficiency in any one software development language (HTML, CSS, PHP, Apache, MySQL, PostgreSQL, JavaScript, jQuery, Django)
Proficiency in data management and programming, and analytic software e.g. MS Excel, MS Power BI, Tableau, SAS, SPSS, Stata, EPl lnfo, VBA, or similar packages or programs, and ability to translate surveillance data into operational insights
Adept understanding of development frameworks (Laravel, Fomantic UI)
Proficiency in data wrangling and programming languages (R, Python, QGIS)
Demonstrated technical knowledge and practical application of the International Health Regulations (IHR), outbreak investigation, verification, and coordinated response at national or subnational level.
Demonstrated capacity to deliver training, mentorship, and technical assistance to epidemiologists, disease surveillance officers, laboratory staff, and multi-disciplinary field teams.
Demonstrated problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to work in fast-paced, emergency or outbreak-response environments.
High proficiency in English and Tagalog—spoken, written, and reading. Knowledge of additional local languages is an advantage.
Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors and prepare reports.
Ability to problem solve and implements corrective action as needed.
Articulate, professional and able to communicate in a clear, positive fashion with clients and staff.
Experience in program monitoring and evaluation, data collection, and data management.
Knowledge and experience in data management and US Department of State reporting requirements is desired.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Usual office working conditions
Ability to travel domestically at least 25%
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, or a related field or Doctor of Medicine; Master’s Degree from a relevant field preferred.
5-7 years of progressively responsible national and/or international experience in epidemiology, infectious disease control programs, surveillance system implementation, health data analysis, or public health emergency response.
Formal training in Epidemiology and Surveillance (e.g., Basic Epidemiology, Event-Based
Surveillance, Case-Based Surveillance, FETP Frontline/Intermediate/Advanced, or equivalent) is highly desirable.
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
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