Senior Technical Officer, Malaria and Other Vector - Borne Disease (AfCDC) at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Technical Officer, Malaria and Other Vector - Borne Disease (AfCDC)

Location: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Reports to: Head of Division Infectious Diseases
Directorate/Department: Africa CDC
Division: Division of infectious Diseases
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Main Functions

• Under the supervision of the Head of Division of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Disease Control, Prevention and Health Promotion, Africa CDC.
• The Senior technical officer – Malaria and other Vector borne diseases will be responsible for supporting several technical and programme management and implementation activities in the area of prevention and control of Malaria and other Vector borne diseases that are of continental priorities.
• Technical and programmatic management and implementation activities may include workforce capacity development, health promotion, epidemiology assessments, monitoring and surveillance, public health research, and strengthening of health information systems, laboratory networks, and other health systems strengthening activities, all in alignment with Africa CDC’s vision and strategic plan.

Specific Responsibilities
The Senior technical officer for Malaria and other Vector borne diseases shall perform the following major duties and responsibilities:

• Provide oversight in the technical support on the implementation, coordination, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of continental initiatives on prevention and control of Malaria and other Vector borne diseases.
• Lead efforts and facilitate to harmonize and integrate Malaria and other Vector borne diseases  elimination and control efforts across multiple diseases with other health programmes (e.g. non-communicable diseases, immunization, maternal and child health, primary health care, food safety), non-health sectors (e.g. WASH, education, animal health) and overall health system, especially in the areas of disease surveillance, integrated people-centred care delivery, drug management and regulatory policies, health care financing.
• Coordinate, collaborate and technically support integrated vector control programmes, surveillance, diagnostic and laboratory capacity-strengthening and operational research efforts to accelerate control and elimination of Malaria and other Vector borne diseases.
• Act as focal person in Africa CDC to manage Malaria and other Vector borne diseases related work through coordination with RCC, Member States NPHIs, donors and health partners in these areas;
• Liaise with the AU MS to facilitate and support development/ implementation of the national Malaria and other Vector borne diseases programmes and provide technical support in the development of integrated health system networks through the adaptation of existing tools and the systematic development of capacities and competencies at the community levels.  
• Provide technical support to improve health information system related to Malaria and other Vector borne diseases
• Build and maintain strong partnerships and relationship with partners interested in strengthening the prevention and control of Malaria and other Vector borne diseases
• Facilitate and strengthen RCC and NPHI capacities in health promotion for the prevention and control of diseases of Malaria and other Vector borne diseases
• Ensure the monitoring and reporting of outputs, outcomes, lessons learned, and challenges for activities of the Division of disease control and prevention.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s degree or higher in health sciences or public health or a related discipline from an accredited academic institution with at least seven (7) years of continuous or combined experience in the field of endemic diseases, in particular Malaria and other Vector borne diseases with emphasis on its prevention and control, research, epidemiology and surveillance, or other related public health programme activities.
• Candidates must also have documented at least two years’ experience working in the African health sector.
• Bachelor in health sciences, public health or a related discipline from an accredited academic institution and must have at least ten (10) years of continuous or combined experience in the field of endemic diseases, in particular Malaria and other Vector borne diseases, with emphasis on its prevention and control, research, epidemiology and surveillance, or other related public health programme activities.
• Candidates must also have documented at least six years’ experience working in the African health sector.

Required Skills:

• Broad knowledge of principles, practices, methodology, and techniques in public health.
• Clear understanding of the health systems on the Continent and fair knowledge of operations of the Ministries of Health in Member States.
• Previous experience working in disease prevention and control programmes in Africa that reflects an in-depth knowledge of African public health issues in general, and in particular, Malaria and other Vector borne diseases is an asset.
• Record of high-quality, peer-reviewed and/or outcomes research publications in prevention and control of endemic diseases, in particular, Malaria and other Vector borne diseases  and integrated vector control schemes is desirable.
• Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of operations of the Africa CDC, Regional Collaborating Centres National Public Health Institutes is an asset.
• Understanding of the African Union’s way of working and managing associated relationships with Member States and partners is a valuable asset.
• Experience working with an international organization is a valuable.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Learning Orientation
• Accountability awareness and Compliance
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Drive for Result
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Continuous Improvement Focus.

Tenure of Appointment:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$  96,921.34  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
10th February, 2025, 11h59 p.m. EAT.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
• Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
• The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles. These countries include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia.