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’s Global Health Security (GHS) Project 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 Senior Technical Specialist - Epidemiology is responsible for managing and monitoring epidemiological analysis and surveillance activities of the anticipated new project in the country; provide technical support to the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture and their structural divisions on developing or updating infectious diseases detection and strategies and will take the lead in planning and implementing in relation to epidemiological results. S/he will be responsible for the technical inputs to the annual work planning at the country level, will take the lead in developing guidelines/policies for the epidemiology activities, and will participate in technical thought leadership both at the regional and country-levels.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Technical Specialist - Epidemiology will provide technical leadership across surveillance, early detection, outbreak investigation, and epidemiologic intelligence functions of the EpiC/GHS project. Core responsibilities include:
1. Technical Leadership in Surveillance and Early Warning
Lead implementation of surveillance activities, including PIDSR strengthening, CESR expansion, sentinel/syndromic surveillance, and 7–1–7 detection workflows.
Guide development of risk assessment tools, outbreak verification procedures, and rapid epidemiologic investigation approaches.
2. Support to National Surveillance Systems (PIDSR, EBS, Case-Based Reporting)
Provide technical assistance to DOH Epidemiology Bureau to improve surveillance workflows, automated alerts, data quality, and linkages between epidemiology, laboratory, and genomic datasets.
Contribute to stabilization and modernization of national surveillance platforms.
3. Field Epidemiology and Strategic Depth Support
Support RESUs, LESUs, and LGUs in outbreak detection, verification, field investigation, and real-time reporting—particularly in high-risk regions (III, IV-A, MIMAROPA, VII, BARMM).
Mentor facility- and community-level teams on event detection, signal verification, data interpretation, and documentation, including continuity measures in GIDA areas using frontline digital tools.
4. Zoonotic and Genomic Surveillance Integration
Strengthen operational linkages between epidemiologic data, laboratory results, and genomic sequencing outputs in collaboration with RITM and regional laboratories.
Provide epidemiologic support for zoonotic outbreak investigations, simulation exercises, and multi-sectoral response involving DOH, DA-BAI, DENR, wildlife authorities, and LGUs.
5. Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Outbreak Response
Support PHEOC and regional EOC activation by delivering timely epidemiologic analysis, situational updates, and recommendations.
Participate in rapid response teams (RRTs) and assist with outbreak investigation, contact tracing strategies, facility-level IPC risk assessments, and emergency decision-making.
Align epidemiologic triggers with activation and use of Facility Emergency Readiness Reserves (ERRs).
6. Strengthening Subnational Analytical Capacity
Lead development and operational use of interactive dashboards and predictive analytics tools integrating CESR, PIDSR, LIMS, and genomic data.
Mentor ESUs and facilities on data cleaning, visualization, interpretation, and generation of actionable intelligence.
7. Capacity Building and Quality Assurance
Provide structured on-the-job mentoring, competency verification, and coaching for epidemiologists, disease surveillance officers, and frontline reporting staff.
Co-develop SOPs, surveillance toolkits, outbreak investigation guides, and standardized job aids.
8. Program Coordination, Documentation, and Representation
Contribute to annual workplan development, implementation tracking, and technical reporting.
Ensure harmonized implementation across technical areas (Surveillance, Labs, BSBS, EMCE, Emergency Preparedness).
Represent the project in national technical working groups, inter-agency meetings, and partner coordination forums.
Prepare briefs, situational analyses, and presentations for DOH, USG, and other stakeholders.
9. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Demonstrated technical knowledge and practical application of the International Health Regulations (IHR), outbreak investigation, verification, and coordinated response at national or subnational level.
Proven experience in preventive public health, epidemiologic research, field investigation, zoonotic disease surveillance, or health services related to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
Proficiency in the use of data management and analysis software (e.g., DHIS2, EpiInfo, Stata, R, Power BI, GIS tools) and ability to translate surveillance data into operational insights.
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.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Usual office working conditions
Ability to travel domestically at least 25%
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in Epidemiology, Medicine, Public Health, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
At least 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.
Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
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