Job summary
This post is suitable for highly experienced Public Health specialists. The post-holder will provide expert input to the IHR strengthening project's work in the Africa region. In particular, this role will support efforts to operationalise and strengthen Africa CDC, and facilitate collaboration between national and regional institutions with a role in global health security.
The IHR strengthening project is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded project designed to improve IHR capability in selected countries and regions. The project's implementation phase (2017-2021) is now underway, with medium and long-term activities taking place through partnerships with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) in several countries in Africa and Asia.
By developing public health capacity at national level through our partnerships with NPHIs, UKHSA will also work with organisations such as Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) to support regional networks of effective public health institutions, leading to an integrated public health approach across the continent.
Main duties of the job
The role will include advising on system coordination, technical and organisational development activities, and building and managing key partnerships and networks. The post-holder will also act as a focal point for the UKHSA IHR strengthening project's technical assistance to Africa CDC, providing oversight and coordination.
The post will be based in Addis Ababa, working closely with Africa CDC, and with frequent travel across the continent as needed. The post-holder will also work closely with the IHR strengthening project's Ethiopia lead, based in Addis Ababa as well as with project leads based in Africa CDC regional coordinating centres in Nigeria and Zambia.
The post-holder will be responsible for delivering and coordinating the delivery of a number of outputs agreed by UKHSA and in alignment with Africa CDC priorities.
About us
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The main duties and responsibilities will include the following.
- Advising on and providing technical support to Africa CDCs system coordination plans and partnerships, and providing technical and coordinating support to Africa CDCs efforts to develop a resilient network of NPHIs, ensuring that the networks are linked to existing systems and relevant national/regional institutions.
- Facilitating alignment between the work programmes of Africa CDC and UKHSAs country level capacity building activities. This will include working with UKHSA technical teams to coordinate input into Africa CDC based on engagement with National Public Health Institutes.
- Under the direction of the IHR Project Lead, providing advice and guidance on UKHSA activities with Africa CDC, and in consultation with the IHR Project Lead and Africa CDC leadership, set objectives for the UKHSA IHR strengthening project in the Africa region more broadly. Work with the UK based Project Manager and support team in the coordination of key project activities e.g. international training and events, international deployments and procurement; supporting with maintenance of project
- documentation, progress and risk trackers and finance records as required;
- Report writing and communication of activities and deliverables as required by Project Lead/project manager and in line with Ways of Working document/timelines e.g. quarterly reporting, input to weekly meetings, quarterly technical working group meetings, etc.
- Host technical experts from across UKHSA, HMG and external partners (e.g. FPH) on their visits to deliver specific technical expertise for aspects of the project as required/identified.
- Representing the Africa region components of the IHR project and the global operations team at internal and external meetings as directed by, or in partnership with, the IHR project lead/other country leads.
- Assist in identifying new funding opportunities to ensure sustainability of the IHR project
- Possible additional general responsibilities such as mentoring public health professionals in Africa CDC/ other organisations as relevant.
- Carrying out other functions in line with professional capabilities as agreed with line management.
The post is open to UK Nationals and Commonwealth citizens. The post-holder will be expected to comply with security protocols and will have to successfully undergo security clearance vetting.Specific work plans will be agreed in consultation with UKHSA IHR Project Lead and Africa CDC.
Diplomatic skills are critical, as engaging with senior leadership, ministers, senior government officials and other donor or development agency representatives will be critical to the role. We are seeking individuals with both technical knowledge and international relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSAs and Civil Services competencies and ways of working. Key to this is the ability to influence and negotiate in order to manage key relationships with local and other international stakeholders. The post-holder will also oversee the development of UKHSAs project to strengthen IHR capacity in the African region.
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the person specification.
You will be required to complete an application form. You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to a single video interview and assessment.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will progress to a single video interview OR an in-person interview and/or assessment andwill be assessed on the essential criteria as advertised.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is Security Clearance.
OPTION 3 - EXTERNAL
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Unfortunately, late applications can not be accepted.
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The main duties and responsibilities will include the following.
- Advising on and providing technical support to Africa CDCs system coordination plans and partnerships, and providing technical and coordinating support to Africa CDCs efforts to develop a resilient network of NPHIs, ensuring that the networks are linked to existing systems and relevant national/regional institutions.
- Facilitating alignment between the work programmes of Africa CDC and UKHSAs country level capacity building activities. This will include working with UKHSA technical teams to coordinate input into Africa CDC based on engagement with National Public Health Institutes.
- Under the direction of the IHR Project Lead, providing advice and guidance on UKHSA activities with Africa CDC, and in consultation with the IHR Project Lead and Africa CDC leadership, set objectives for the UKHSA IHR strengthening project in the Africa region more broadly. Work with the UK based Project Manager and support team in the coordination of key project activities e.g. international training and events, international deployments and procurement; supporting with maintenance of project
- documentation, progress and risk trackers and finance records as required;
- Report writing and communication of activities and deliverables as required by Project Lead/project manager and in line with Ways of Working document/timelines e.g. quarterly reporting, input to weekly meetings, quarterly technical working group meetings, etc.
- Host technical experts from across UKHSA, HMG and external partners (e.g. FPH) on their visits to deliver specific technical expertise for aspects of the project as required/identified.
- Representing the Africa region components of the IHR project and the global operations team at internal and external meetings as directed by, or in partnership with, the IHR project lead/other country leads.
- Assist in identifying new funding opportunities to ensure sustainability of the IHR project
- Possible additional general responsibilities such as mentoring public health professionals in Africa CDC/ other organisations as relevant.
- Carrying out other functions in line with professional capabilities as agreed with line management.
The post is open to UK Nationals and Commonwealth citizens. The post-holder will be expected to comply with security protocols and will have to successfully undergo security clearance vetting.Specific work plans will be agreed in consultation with UKHSA IHR Project Lead and Africa CDC.
Diplomatic skills are critical, as engaging with senior leadership, ministers, senior government officials and other donor or development agency representatives will be critical to the role. We are seeking individuals with both technical knowledge and international relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSAs and Civil Services competencies and ways of working. Key to this is the ability to influence and negotiate in order to manage key relationships with local and other international stakeholders. The post-holder will also oversee the development of UKHSAs project to strengthen IHR capacity in the African region.
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the person specification.
You will be required to complete an application form. You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to a single video interview and assessment.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will progress to a single video interview OR an in-person interview and/or assessment andwill be assessed on the essential criteria as advertised.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is Security Clearance.
OPTION 3 - EXTERNAL
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Unfortunately, late applications can not be accepted.
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH) or related field
- Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognized body if applicable
Desirable
- Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List/UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists
- MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- High level of understanding of surveillance, epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health system development.
- At least 5yrs experience working in Public Health or a related discipline since specialisation and experience of working at regional or national level in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Experience of public health systems in developing countries and demonstrable experience in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response and health protection
- Previous experience of working in Low and Middle income countries at a strategic level, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians. Previous experience working Africa and knowledge of the health systems.
- At least 2yrs experience working in Global Public Health.
Desirable
- Understanding of UK public health system
- Scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills (including dealing with the media) Computer literate
- Exceptional interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills. Effective negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achieved. Ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH) or related field
- Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognized body if applicable
Desirable
- Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List/UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists
- MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- High level of understanding of surveillance, epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health system development.
- At least 5yrs experience working in Public Health or a related discipline since specialisation and experience of working at regional or national level in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Experience of public health systems in developing countries and demonstrable experience in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response and health protection
- Previous experience of working in Low and Middle income countries at a strategic level, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians. Previous experience working Africa and knowledge of the health systems.
- At least 2yrs experience working in Global Public Health.
Desirable
- Understanding of UK public health system
- Scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills (including dealing with the media) Computer literate
- Exceptional interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills. Effective negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achieved. Ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
