Consultant – Infectious Disease Surveillance Pilot Field Officer, Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Global Health Programs at PATH

Job Description

• We are seeking to recruit an entry-level Consultant: Infectious Disease Surveillance Pilot Field Officer for the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Project.
• This project supports and strengthens surveillance, detection, and analytical capacity for infectious diseases across both human and animal health sectors in Nigeria.
• The Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) activity is a U.S. Department of State-funded global health security program implemented by FHI360, with PATH as a core sub-contractor. STRIDES will support and strengthen surveillance, detection and analytical capacity of infectious diseases across both human and animal health.
• The Consultant: Infectious Disease Surveillance Pilot Field Officer (Implementation support) must meet or exceed the required qualifications listed below.
• This individual will conduct a rapid landscaping assessment of infectious disease surveillance systems, applying a multisectoral approach where relevant across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. The consultant will identify key stakeholders, map existing surveillance platforms and data flows, highlight gaps and opportunities for system strengthening, and produce actionable recommendations to inform project design.

Responsibilities 

• Support the scale-up of event-based and community-based surveillance in assigned states, including assisting with community-level early warning systems for priority infectious diseases.
• Assist in adapting and rolling out training materials for EBS, CBS, IDSR, and zoonotic disease preparedness, including planning and facilitating workshops, documenting sessions, and providing post-training follow-up.
• Contribute to the review and updating of standard operating procedures (SOPs), job aids, guidelines, and communication tools to strengthen surveillance systems and clarify roles.
• Support mentorship and peer-learning initiatives, including organizing refresher sessions, troubleshooting, and providing practical support to trained health workers.
• Assist in monitoring and assessing IDSR implementation and digital health information systems, including data entry, validation, and basic analysis.
• Coordinate with state-level counterparts, partners, and stakeholders, and assist in the development of reports, meeting minutes, action trackers, field visit summaries, and training reports.

Required qualifications and experience
Education:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in a healthcare-related field (e.g., Public Health, Nursing, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Information Systems) OR a degree in the Sciences (e.g., Biology, Microbiology, Zoology, Veterinary Science, Environmental Health) with demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience (including internships, volunteer work, or fellowships) in infectious disease surveillance, disease reporting, environmental or animal health surveillance, One Health coordination, or related public health data management.
• Experience in documentation, data entry, or reporting in a health or research setting is desirable.
• Completion of a Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) or equivalent introductory epidemiology training and familiarity with IDSR, NADIS, event-based surveillance, or community-based surveillance systems is an added advantage.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Good organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and with government stakeholders at the state and local levels.
• Willingness to travel within the state of assignment to support field surveillance activities.
• Proficiency in using basic digital tools for data collection and reporting (e.g., Microsoft Office, mobile data collection apps) is required.
• Must have legal authorization to work in Nigeria.
• Candidates should be based in or willing to relocate to the state of assignment (Adamawa, Enugu, Kano, or Lagos)