Field Epidemiologist - Spontaneous Application

Epicentre is expanding its pool of trusted consultants and is therefore seeking for epidemiologists for upcoming short-term consultancies (around 3 to 6 weeks) and for longer term projects (from 3 to 12 months).

All assignments are within MSF projects and operations worldwide.

Epicentre’s expertise and therefore the consultant’s responsibility includes:

• Rapid health assessments in emergency situations
• Epidemic outbreak investigations
• Monitoring and evaluation of health programs and health needs
• Implementation and evaluation of epidemiological surveillance programs
• Operational studies (developing research protocols, implementation in study sites, advanced data management and analysis, report writing) using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods methodologies
• Training activities in public health and epidemiology
• Clinical studies

Our leitmotiv: easy access and innovation

Epicentre's mission is

• to describe and analyse the health situations of the populations assisted by medical teams in order to better orient programs,
• but also, to evaluate and compare new care practices to propose solutions adapted to populations living in unstable conditions or with insufficient access to care.

Its epidemiology and research activities focus on infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, cholera, Ebola, yellow fever, neglected diseases - visceral leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, Buruli ulcer - but also on chronic diseases that are on the rise in African countries such as cancer. Since its creation, Epicentre has contributed to the development of several diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic solutions.

In addition to research projects for MSF, Epicentre develops partnerships with other institutions in order to increase the impact and reach of its studies. In 2022, Epicentre is financed two-thirds by funds raised by MSF from the public and one-third by external donors.

Epicentre's grounding in both research and operational activities provides key information for MSF's program priorities, always with the goal of improving access to quality health care for populations living in unstable conditions or with inadequate access to care.

Location: In MSF projects worldwide / HQs Paris

Type of contract: Field contract / HQ contract

Start date: To be discussed with selected consultants

Education

• At least master’s degree in epidemiology or public health.
• On an exceptional basis, Epicentre may recruit candidates with other qualifications, such as anthropology, sociology, or microbiology (laboratory skills).

Experience: minimal experience

• Experienced in at least carrying out one of the following tasks in countries where MSF is working:

• Outbreak investigation / M & E /surveillance
• Clinical trials
• Operational studies – quantitative
• MMR / qualitative studies

• Proficiency in epidemiological computer skills, such as
  • Quantitative statistical software (i.e. STATA, SPSS, R)
  • Qualitative statistical software (i.e. Nvivo, MAXQDA)
  • Survey data management software (i.e. RedCap, Kobo) and
  • Others such as DHIS2, epiinfo, ArcGIS

Experience: desired experience

• 3+ years of related work experience, such as public health experience in humanitarian contexts or developing/low-income countries
• Excellent report writing, communication and interviewing skills
• Proven capacity to adapt to difficult field conditions and work autonomously
  • Work for MSF, other NGOs, and/or WHO/United Nations in the health sector is a plus
  • Regional working experience is a plus (i.e. Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Latin America)
• Availability on short notice

Languages

• Proficiency in English or French.
• Additional languages such as Arabic are a plus.

Competencies

• Good interpersonal skills, listening skills and empathy
• Autonomy, personal initiative, proactivity, motivation
• Open-mindedness, respect and tolerance
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Rigorous, methodical, attentive, quality-oriented
• Adherence to MSF principles
• Sense of service
• Stress management

You will be required to attach your CV and while submitting your application you will be invited to fill a brief form  

By submitting your application, you agree that Epicentre can share your CV with interested people within MSF/Epicentre.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

After consideration, your application will be included in our pool of epidemiologists who fit Epicentre’s criteria. Due to the limited vacancies, this application does not automatically lead to a position. Please note that this is not a job offer.

We value diversity and strive to maintain an inclusive and accessible work environment. We encourage all individuals who possess the required qualifications to apply, regardless of their ethnic, national, or cultural background, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, disability, or any other aspect of their identity.

Epicentre is committed to protecting the personal data of its members, employees, and individuals wishing to join the association. The data collected as part of this application will be shared strictly and solely with those involved in the recruitment process, wherever the Epicentre entity to which they belong is located, to ensure fair and high‑quality processing.