Team Leader - Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme (SPRP)

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, education, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Public Health Division (PHD) supports member countries in attaining healthier Pacific Island people and communities by helping in public health surveillance, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCD) and support for laboratory and clinical services. The primary areas of focus of the division are to provide scientific and technical assistance and support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goal for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, prevent diseases, restore and/or maintain health and reduce inequalities in health. PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than individual treatment services as highlighted in the PHD Business Plan. The PHD is comprised of five programmes: Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme (SPRP), NCD Prevention and Control Programme (NCDP), Clinical Services Programme (CSP), Laboratory Strengthening Programme (LSP) and Health System Strengthening Programme (HSSP).

The role – Team Leader - Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme (SPRP) will strengthen and contribute to public health surveillance, research and response in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and the Pacific region through: (1) providing leadership, management, and technical oversight for the SPRP team and program activities; (2) enhancing multi-sectoral capacity for coordinated regional surveillance, preparedness and response; (3) building capacity for public health surveillance and field epidemiology nationally and regionally; (4) strengthening preparedness and response to public health threats or events; (5) enhancing evidence-based service delivery through research.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Leadership, management and technical oversight of the SPRP team and programme activities

• Lead strategic planning to ensure that the SPRP’s work aligns with the needs of PICTs, PHD and SPC.
• In consultation with and in collaboration with other PHD staff, leading the SPRP in developing the annual work plans, budgets and reports.
• Lead and guide the SPRP team in the completion of planned activities according to workplans and budgets.
• Contribute to project, divisional, program and corporate publications/reports related to SPRP activities.
• Lead resource mobilisation efforts to support and expand SPPR services in PICTs, through the development of concept papers and proposals.

Enhance multi-sectoral capacity for coordinated regional surveillance, preparedness and response

• Maintain a high level of awareness of PICTs’ priority needs for surveillance, preparedness and response for communicable diseases and other public health emergencies.
• Lead and advocate to strengthen national and regional public health surveillance, preparedness and response mechanisms through the dissemination of information and the exchange of competencies, materials and experience via PPHSN functions and service networks.
• Establish and maintain partnerships and communication channels with PICTs, key health and development partners, stakeholders, institutions and scientific community.

Build capacity for public health surveillance and field epidemiology nationally and regionally

• Liaise with partners to ensure harmonisation and coordination for accreditation and oversight of SHIP-DDM epidemiology capacity building program.
• Supervise the delivery of training in field epidemiology nationally and in the region, in collaboration with regional partners (FNU, PIHOA and others).
• Strengthen surveillance and response capacity at regional and national levels through system improvements.
• Lead in promotion of SHIP-DDM programme and support communities of practice for PICT health professionals working in surveillance, preparedness and response.

Strengthen preparedness and response to public health threats or events

• Maintain the SPC Epidemic Intelligence System (EIS) and publications of alerts to strengthening preparedness for health threats in the region.
• Contribute to the development of surveillance systems and activities that support timely reporting of PPHSN target diseases, syndromes, and public health events.
• Lead the enhancement of surveillance activities during mass gatherings in the Pacific.
• Lead and manage the team’s provision of technical assistance for preparedness and response services to PICTs and partners, inclusive of enhanced surveillance, outbreak response, RCCE and vector control.

Enhance evidence-based service delivery through research

• Participate with crosscutting technical bodies within and outside SPC to identify public health research agenda.
• Develop and update the SPRP operational research plan based on the defined research agenda.
• Lead the capacity strengthening activities on operational research among PICT health professionals (i.e., Pacific OR course, attachment program, etc.).

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• MBBS, Advanced (at least Masters-level qualification) degree in public health, epidemiology, or related discipline or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least ten (10) years of substantial professional experience in positions of progressive responsibility including position at international or national level.
• Knowledge of international public health and disease surveillance, with strong knowledge in applied epidemiology, including communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
• Proven record in developing and delivering training courses in public health surveillance and applied epidemiology.
• Good understanding of health systems and practices in PICTs.
• Experience in leadership and in team and program management.
• Proven ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Willingness to travel frequently (up to 30% of the time) in the Pacific region and internationally.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 June 2028 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Team Leader - Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Programme (SPRP) is a band 12 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,565‒4,456 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,623–13,279 (USD 4,741–5,927; EUR 4,419–5,524). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 19 January 2025 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000825

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. How would you strengthen public health surveillance in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories?
2. What do you think are 3 key challenges for Public Health Surveillance in PICT’s?
3. How would you enhance evidence-based service delivery through research in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories?