Position: REGIONAL CONSULTANT - PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Reports to: Area Manager
Location: Sidama - Hawassa
Duration: Six months
Monthly payment:- $ 1,300.00
JSI is a global nonprofit dedicated to improving lives through better health and education outcomes for individuals and communities, and to providing an environment where people of passion can pursue this cause. In Ethiopia, JSI has been working to improve health outcomes for more than 30 years, implementing more than 60 projects and working in every region. JSI has historically managed a large portfolio of projects focusing on the quality and equity in access of RMNCAH services, primary health care (PHC), including community health programs, digital health, health information systems (HIS), supply chain management, public health emergency responses, and social and behavior change.
The Momentum Integrated Health Resilience project is implemented by a consortium led by IMA World Health, is a global initiative that partners with governments and local stakeholders in fragile states and regions. MIHR’s objective is to save lives through increased access to high-quality MNCH-Nutrition life-saving interventions, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, and improving adaptive management to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies. MIHR focuses on equipping health institutions and frontline workers with the skills, tools, and resources to sustainably address the leading causes of maternal and child deaths. In Ethiopia, the project has three main objectives: 1) Enhance health facilities' readiness to provide essential quality MCH and nutrition services; 2) Improve access to and utilization of quality MCH and nutrition services through contextualized service delivery models; and 3) Enhance health security by improving emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, and outbreak response.
Scope of work
PHEM System Strengthening
Lead the adaptation and roll-out of the regional Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP), ensuring alignment with national standards and integration of essential services (e.g., Mother, Neonatal, and Child Health/Nutrition (MNCH-N)).
Participate in conducting and regularly updating Vulnerability and Risk Analysis and for priority public health threats, ensuring findings are used to inform regional resource allocation and prepositioning.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Ensure the availability of key regional and Woreda-level PHEM SOPs, including risk communication, case investigation, and supply chain management.
Training Delivery: Coordinate comprehensive capacity-building trainings and mentorships for RHB, Woreda Health Office (WoHO), and primary health care unit (PHCU) staff on the full PHEM cycle, Incident Management System (IMS), and core surveillance activities.
Simulation Exercises: Lead the planning and execution of at least two annual simulation exercises (e.g., tabletop or functional drills) at the regional and selected Woreda levels to test the readiness and functionality of RRTs and PHEOCs.
RRT Enhancement: Strengthen the structure, composition, and multi-disciplinary competencies of Regional and Woreda Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).
Data, Surveillance, and Woreda Liaison
Data Utilization: Provide technical expertise to the RHB on the adoption and effective use of digital surveillance platforms (e.g., ePHEM, DHIS2) for timely indicator and event-based surveillance (IBS/EBS).
Real-time Analysis: Support the PHEM Unit in conducting real-time data collection and advanced analytics to rapidly detect, verify, and assess public health threats and to track the effectiveness of ongoing response operations.
Field Support Coordination: Act as the primary liaison between the RHB and selected high-risk Woredas, providing on-the-ground support and supervision for surveillance and RRT activities.
Woreda RRT Oversight: Monitor the functionality and readiness of Woreda RRTs, ensuring they adhere to national investigation protocols and promptly report confirmed public health events to the RHB.
Investigation Quality: Support the regional team in quality assurance for field investigations and outbreak response activities led by Woreda RRTs, focusing on standardized data collection and evidence-based interventions.
Response, Coordination, and Documentation
Coordination: Participate and facilitate the effective operation of the regional multi-sectoral coordination platforms (integrating Human, Animal, and Environmental Health sectors) in line with the national One Health approach.
Response: Collaborate with the area manager, national PHEM advisor and technical lead to mobilize resources and coordinate the implementation of rapid response/crisis modifier.
AARs/IARs: Participate and facilitate After Action Reviews (AARs) and Inter-Action Reviews (IARs) following emergency events and major exercises at the regional and Woreda levels to systematically document lessons learned.
Reporting: Ensure high-quality documentation of technical assistance and program impact within the region, providing detailed inputs on technical progress and challenges for reports to the National Technical Advisor, EPHI, and the donor.
Deliverables
A summary of the regional EPRP, incorporating VRAM findings and essential health services
Reports from a minimum of two regional/Woreda simulation exercises (including lessons learned).
Quarterly technical reports detailing regional RRT and surveillance performance, training progress, and Woreda-level liaison activities.
Documentation of PHEOC activations and adherence to the IMS structure during actual response events.
Summary report on activities conducted through the activation of crisis modifier resources
Job Requirements
Required Skills & Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems, Disaster Management, or a closely related field. A focus on Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) is highly desirable.
Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, with at least 5 years dedicated specifically to emergency preparedness, infectious disease surveillance, and public health emergency response.
Proven experience working with national or regional public health institutions (like EPHI/PHEM) on public health emergency management and infectious disease control.
In-depth knowledge of the full PHEM cycle (Preparedness, Early Warning, Response, Recovery), including the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and Ethiopia's National PHEM Guidelines and SOPs.
Experience working on USG funded programs is preferred.
Advanced skills in field epidemiology, surveillance data analysis, outbreak investigation, and the application of the Incident Management System (IMS).
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English is mandatory. Demonstrated ability to synthesize and present complex technical data to non-technical audiences.
Proven ability to establish and maintain strong professional relationships with project team members, donors, government counterparts, and other cooperating agencies.
The ability to travel to woredas and health facilities required to provide technical support and supervision.
JSI/WEI is a child-safe organization, and the safety and well-being of children is a priority of our organization. We have robust recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff are suited to work with the children served by our programs.
JSI/WEI is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability, marital status,,genetic information, political affiliation, or protected veteran status in any employment decisions.
How To Apply
Interested applicants who met the above minimum requirements should send and apply at THIS LINK Please submit Only your application letter and CV in English detailing your experiance , exposure and skills that are relevant to the post. Please do not attach copies of your transcripts, academic degrees or recommendation letters with the application. You will provide them upon request.
