JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Epidemiologist – Training
Division/Programme and Section/Project: Public Health Division (PHD) / Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme
Location: Suva, Fiji
Reporting to: Team Leader - Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Purpose of Role: Strengthen and contribute to public health surveillance, preparedness and response and research in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and the Pacific region. This is through:(1) strengthening capacity for coordinated regional surveillance, (2) effective team management, administration and communication (3) enhancing evidence-based service delivery through research and (4) strengthening national and regional preparedness and response to public health threats or events. The position will work closely with Fiji National University and with other stakeholders in the delivery of the Strengthening Health Interventions in the Pacific - Data for Decision Making (SHIP-DDM) programme.
Date: August 2026

Organisational Context and Organisation Chart

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development across its 27 member countries and territories. The Public Health Division (PHD) supports member countries in attaining healthier Pacific Island people and communities by helping in public health surveillance, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and support laboratory and clinical services.

The PHD is composed of five programs: 1) Surveillance, Preparedness, and Response Programme (SPRP); 2) Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Programme (NCDP); 3) Clinical Services Programme (CSP); 4) Laboratory Services Programme (LSP); and 5) Health Integration and Innovation Programme (HIIP). The overall objective of SPRP is to enhance the capability and the resilience of PICTs to health security threats brought about by emerging and re-emerging communicable disease outbreaks

The structure of the Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme (SPRP) is as follows:

Key Result Areas (KRAs):

The position of Epidemiologist - Training encompasses the following major functions or Key Result Areas (KRAs):

  1. Strengthen capacity for coordinated regional surveillance;
  2. Team management, administration and communications;
  3. Enhance evidence-based service delivery through research;
  4. Strengthen preparedness and response to public health threats or events.

The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below

Jobholder is accountable for Jobholder is successful when
KRA#1 – Strengthening capacity for coordinated regional surveillance 40% - Focal person for SHIP-DDM and other relevant trainings, leading and coordinating activities under SHIP-DDM in conjunction with PICTs, PPHSN partners and other PPHSN service arms. - Forming effective relationships with member countries and partner agencies in the implementation of the SHIP-DDM programme in the Pacific. - Consulting with crosscutting technical bodies within PHD and SPC to support the identified public health priorities in the SHIP-DDM course and develop joint approaches for action. - Lead in developing capacity development plans for the implementation of SHIP-DDM in coordination with, or in consideration of, PHD and SPC’s programme activities, and the Pacific island countries and territories’ priorities. - Supporting planning and scaling up training in field epidemiology including surveillance, outbreak investigations, and data use among PICT health professionals. - Supporting planning and building capacity in the conduct of operational research (OR) studies among PICT health professionals. - Developing in-country capacity to apply core epidemiologic skills in strengthening - Delivery of SHIP-DDM related activities (national, regional) including meetings held, collaborations established, capacity building, response and resources mobilized - Timely and effective communication with key SHIP-DDM focal points in member countries, partner agencies and donors. - Partnerships with member countries and external partners are strengthened for optimal implementation of SHIP-DDM programme and divisional activities. - Attending SHIP-DDM meetings with partner agencies and member countries. - Representing SHIP-DDM in regional and international meetings and conferences. - Partnerships with technical bodies and research institutions are developed and maintained through joint networks, studies, protocols, attachments, funding and publications. - Timely production of relevant work plans addressing the expressed needs of SPC member countries. - Develop and maintain the SHIP-DDM training schedule
surveillance systems including the early warning systems (syndromic surveillance) and activities that support timely reporting of PPHSN target diseases, syndromes, and public health events. - Review and update training materials periodically - Identify and liaise with facilitators to assist in the conduct of SHIP-DDM trainings - Actively participating in the review, development and delivery of training program in field epidemiology. - Training programmes and workshops receive positive evaluations and lead to improvement in routine surveillance and response outputs from PICTs and regional services. - Actively participating in the development of OR components (drafting protocols, implementing studies, collecting and analysing data, and writing manuscript) whether in-country or remote supervision. - OR studies as field projects lead to publication and/or policy change. - Graduates of SHIP-DDM programme leads in the analysis of surveillance data and producing surveillance reports; outbreak investigation and management and producing situation and outbreak reports.
KRA#2 – Team management, administration and communications 20% - Contributing to an environment that fosters effective and harmonious working relationships. - Contributing to monitoring and evaluation of capacity development activities’ implementation. - Providing technical inputs in the development of concept papers, protocols, and proposals. - Contributing to programme, divisional and corporate meetings, publications and reports. - Contribute to management, monitoring and reporting on utilization of funds. - Being visible, showing initiative and commitment, adaptable, non-judgemental, being an active listener, sharing opinions appropriately, showing respect for others, being supportive and contributing to SPRP activities in particular, and to PHD and SPC activities, in general. - Surveillance priorities and issues within area of expertise are communicated to the team. - Contributing to updating and/or completing programme progress reports. - Maintaining updated training and alumni databases. - Timely and relevant contribution in the development of papers and proposals for resource generation and mobilization. - Attend SPRP/PHD and SPC meetings and provide inputs when required. - Inputs to programme, divisional and corporate reports and publications that are evidence-based and timely. - Fund utilization reports are prepared and sent on time and according to project monitoring and evaluation framework. - Provide necessary documents and proof of fund utilization and reports as needed.
KRA#3 – Enhance evidence-based service delivery through research 20% - Supervising the conduct of research activities as part of the output of SHIP-DDM programme including the PGDAE course. - Collaborative research projects and activities are undertaken, and results shared with relevant stakeholders.
- Documenting the results of research studies, and findings presented in appropriate medium and forums. - Develop in-country capacity to systematically analyse health data to address specific health problems and use data for decision making and policy development. - Dissemination of operational research findings in national and/or regional forums. - Technical paper published and shared with relevant audience. - Timely sharing of new knowledge, guidelines, and recommendations in appropriate medium. - Graduates of SHIP-DDM demonstrates improvement on data management processes and use through production of reports to inform and influence decision makers.
KRA#4 – Strengthening preparedness and response to public health threats or events 20% - Supporting the development and strengthening of in-country capacities in surveillance and response. - Promotion and increased harmonisation of surveillance activities across PHD and SPC, and at regional and national levels in PICTs. - Strengthening surveillance and response capacity at regional and national levels through system improvements. - Provide technical support for enhanced surveillance during mass gatherings and emergency response to public health events (if required). - PICT health professionals meets minimum required standards to conduct surveillance work and respond in a timely manner to outbreak and health emergencies. - Surveillance and response activities are guided by up-to-date plans, protocols and guidelines. - Sharing surveillance reports and information with regional counterparts as needed. - Providing technical assistance and conducting capacity building activities in country and remotely. - Supporting implementation of systems strengthening activities. - Risk assessment of existing surveillance systems conducted in lead up to mass gathering events - Regional guidelines, policies, protocols or tools for surveillance and outbreak response are up to date - PICTs supported to minimise outbreaks through enhanced surveillance or in-country support

The above performance requirements are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this job will need further discussion between the jobholder and supervisor as part of the performance development process.

Most Challenging Duties Typically Undertaken (Complexity):

  • Remaining abreast of literature and scientific knowledge in expertise area.
  • Coordinating surveillance activities with external partners in a changing environment.
  • Establishing and maintaining good working relationships internally within SPC and with PICTs, PPHSN, WHO and other partners, including research institutions.
  • Ensuring continuity of corporate knowledge and skill when staff are on short-term, project-based contracts.
  • Improving data quality at national level and obtaining timely and quality surveillance data despite the region being geographically spread out.
  • Ability to be deployed during a public health event.

Functional Relationships & Relationship Skills:

Key internal and/or external contacts Nature of the contact most typical
External Key external contacts are: - WHO, US CDC, PIHOA, FNU, ANU and other research/academic institutions and development partners - PICT counterparts and key implementing partners - PPHSN Core and Allied members, Coordinating Body, and National and Regional EpiNet Teams - Regional bodies and technical working groups - Representatives of donors and financing bodies - PPHSN service arms - Requesting and providing information, providing training and advice, resolving conflicts, negotiating, explaining, gaining cooperation and coordination
Internal Key internal contacts are: - PHD Director, Team Leaders and colleagues - Colleagues and teams across SPC technical divisions - Crosscutting and taskforce teams / workgroups. - Section managers and staff of the Operations and Management Division, especially in IT, translation and interpretation, and publication services - Facilitating, giving and receiving information, resolving minor conflicts, advising, explaining, gaining cooperation and cooperating

Level of Delegation:

Routine Expenditure Budget: 0

Budget Sign off Authority without requiring approval from direct supervisor: 0

Personal Specification:

This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level. (This does not necessarily reflect what the current position holder has.) This may be a combination of knowledge / experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies.

Qualifications

Essential: Desirable:
- MBBS and master's degree in public health, epidemiology, or related discipline or equivalent body of knowledge and experience - PHD in relevant field - Degree in teaching and capacity building

Knowledge/Experience

Essential: Desirable:
- 10 years of experience in public health surveillance, including communicable and non-communicable disease surveillance. - Experience in outbreak preparedness and response. - Experience in the provision of capacity building or on-the job training in field epidemiology. - Fluent in written and oral English. - Experience in operational research and writing scientific reports and papers. - Cross-cultural skills and ability to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds. - Highly developed oral and interpersonal communication skills. - Willingness to travel frequently (up to 30% of the time) in the Pacific region and internationally. - Experience in mentoring trainees in Field. - Epidemiology with successful international presentations. - Experience in developing curricula and training modules. - Experience in developing, maintaining and evaluating surveillance systems. - Experience in risk assessments and enhanced surveillance during mass gatherings. - Knowledge and understanding of principles of development effectiveness, and human development and international health concepts, principles, practices, and challenges. - Knowledge and understanding of bilateral and multilateral policies and mechanisms of donor and other health agencies. - Solid knowledge and experience in the Pacific region. - Experience in development of funding applications and research protocols. - Ability to speak French an advantage.

Key Skills/Attributes/Job Specific Competencies

The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level:

Expert level - Knowledge of public health surveillance and outbreak and response - Develop training curricula/materials and capacity building activities including on the job trainings such as simulation and tabletop exercises - Written and spoken English - Analysing relevant information, identifying issues and determining priorities - Setting priorities with minimal supervision
Advanced level - Oral and interpersonal communication skills - Operational research and writing scientific reports and papers - Capacity building or on the job training in field epidemiology - Developing, maintaining and evaluating surveillance systems - Responding to outbreaks and public health emergencies - Cross-cultural skills and ability to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds - Project management skills
Working knowledge - Laboratory procedures - Development of funding applications and research protocols
Awareness - SPC Regulations and Policies - Goals and mandates of partner agencies and organisations

Key Behaviours

All employees are measured against the following Key Behaviours as part of Performance Development:

  • Change and Innovation
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Teamwork
  • Promotion of Equity and Equality
  • Judgement

Personal Attributes

  • High level of professional integrity and ethics
  • Friendly demeanor
  • Demonstrated high level commitment to customer service

Change to Job Description:

From time to time it may be necessary to consider changes in the job description in response to the changing nature of the work environment – including technological requirements or statutory changes. Such change may be initiated as necessary by SPC. This Job Description may also be reviewed as part of the preparation for performance planning for the annual performance cycle.

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