Under the general supervision of the PEP Cluster Lead, and National Surveillance Officer, the incumbent performs the following functions:
1. Support the States SOs in the zone in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of surveillance workplan;
2. Support the states in the zone in detailed investigation, active case search and response to any Polio events and other VPDs in the zone;
3. Facilitate the implementation of the general concepts of IDSR strategy and support communicable disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and public health response systems in the zone;
4. In close collaboration with the Zonal Coordination, support the states in coordinating and managing surveillance technical activities and programs;
5. Facilitate the conduct of other AFP complementary surveillance such as Environmental surveillance, PID surveillance and New Vaccine Sentinel surveillance;
6. Support the states in the Zone to strengthen capacities of state surveillance teams for effective and sustained surveillance of VPDs and other EPID prove diseases through training and other capacity building approaches;
7. Undertake regular supportive supervision to access and evaluate the implementation of surveillance activities in the states, identify gaps, jointly develop surveillance improvement plan, and monitor implementation;
8. Support the states in the zone the efforts at strengthening the functionality of the surveillance network (e.g. Focal sites, Community based surveillance network and Surveillance Working Group in the states and LGAs) and monitor effectiveness of the system;
9. Conduct, in collaboration with other team members, real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data, from a broad range of sources including non-health sectors, for epidemic forecasting and detection;
10. Facilitate regular analysis of Polio Surveillance Information for rapid detection of outbreaks and in consultation with the Zonal Coordinator, disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical information and knowledge;
11. Provide oversight functions to timely transportation of samples with right documentation and handling to laboratory and ensure quarterly analysis of laboratory surveillance data.
12. Support the development of the WHO Situation Reports, other related regular and ad-hoc surveillance reports in the Zone and share with the WCO NSO;
13. Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: First level university degree in Medicine and Public health/ epidemiology .
Desirable: Advanced university degree in quantitative epidemiology or health related field. Specialized training in communicable diseases.
Experience
Essential: At least 5 years’ related experience in surveillance, outbreak investigation and response .
Desirable: Prior working experience in Polio programme in Nigeria with WHO, other UN agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international non-governmental organization.
Skills
Demonstrated knowledge of surveillance and monitoring systems as related to Polio emergencies, complemented by skills in the field of epidemiological or statistical data collection, assessment, analysis and the evaluation and monitoring in a public health context. Proven ability to multitask across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment. Demonstrated knowledge, competency, and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response with particular attention to application of an all-hazard approach and the use of event based and indicator-based surveillance, as well as descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response.
WHO Competencies
(a) Teamwork
(b) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
(c) Communication
(d) Producing results
(e) Ensuring the effective use of resources
