Public Health Emergency Management Officer

Introduction 

Project HOPE is a global health and humanitarian organization operating in more than 25 countries with the mission to place power in the hands of local health workers to save lives around the world. Founded in 1958, we work side-by-side with local health systems to improve health and support community resilience. We work at the epicenter of today’s greatest health challenges, including infectious and chronic diseases; disasters and health crises; maternal, neonatal, and child health; pandemic preparedness and response; mental health for health workers; and the policies that impact how health care is delivered. 

Code of Conduct 

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Project Background 

For nearly two decades, Ethiopia has made tremendous progress in childhood vaccination coverage. However, Ethiopia is still one of the top five countries with the highest number of Zero-Dose Children (ZDC) globally. Recently, the country is experiencing a large–scale measles outbreaks outpacing prior years. One key challenge that exists is delayed detection, reporting, and outbreak investigation specifically for newly detected outbreaks.

Recently Project HOPE received a grant from the Gates Foundation to implement a project, “Supporting Ethiopia Prepare and Respond to Measles Outbreaks”. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of government of Ethiopia systems and structures on measles outbreak detection and response at national and targeted subnational geographic priorities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSILBILITIES

The PHEM Officer seconded to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) will play a crucial role in strengthening national public health emergency preparedness and response efforts, with a focus on measles outbreaks and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). The officer will support surveillance, risk assessment, response coordination, and capacity-building initiatives while ensuring data-driven decision-making. S/He will be seconded at EPHI and work closely with , the Ministry of Health (MoH), Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), laboratories, and other stakeholders to improve the national and subnational outbreak detection, preparedness, and response.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of national and subnational outbreak preparedness and response plans.
• Support EPHI in the process of strengthening national surveillance systems for measles and other VPDs, ensuring timely outbreak detection and response.
• Provide Technical support to EPHI PHEM team in data collection, analysis, and visualization to track disease trends and response effectiveness.
• Ensure the integration of epidemiological, laboratory, and immunization data for improved national decision-making.
• Facilitate the implementation of 7-1-7 metrics and the evaluation of the effectiveness of response efforts based on the 7-1-7 metrics and recommend improvements for future preparedness. 
• Engages in national and subnational measles-specific and multi-hazard risk assessments to inform early warning systems.
• Facilitate rapid response mechanisms and deployment of emergency resources.
• Conduct gap analysis and need assessment to identify training demands to improve the workforce capacity at National and sub-national level
• Support the development of training materials and guidelines based on national and global best practices.
• Organize and conduct training programs for on emergency preparedness, surveillance, and outbreak response.
• Work with MoH and Other partners to enhance national and regional coordination mechanisms for measles outbreak preparedness and response 
• Strengthen collaboration between EPHI, MoH, RHBs, NGOs, international organizations, and other partners involved in measles outbreak management.
• Participate and represent Project HOPE in national emergency response meetings, technical working groups, and coordination platforms.
• Provide technical support to improve the efficiency of national and regional emergency operations centers (EOCs).
• Develop technical reports and presentations on surveillance findings, outbreak response effectiveness, and policy recommendations.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives, including lessons learned and best practices in PHEM.
• Support enhanced learning and sharing of best practices using measles as a case study among stakeholders engaged in vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) programming.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports and submit to the immediate supervisor.
• Work closely with the MEL team of Project HOPE on quarterly reports and update indicator tracking/ results tracking sheet.
• Undertake other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

• BSc degree or master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, or equivalent.
• Minimum of six years of experience for BSc degree or four years for master’s degree in public health emergency preparedness and response, preferably in VPDs.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written and spoken English.
• Proven ability to develop effective working relationships with and technical assistance to partners particularly to FMoH, EPHI and Regional Health Bureaus.
• Ability to travel at least 50% of the time in program implementation areas.

How To Apply

Interested applicants can send their CV and cover letter through ethiojobs ONLY on or before March 13, 2025, by 5:00 PM.

Qualified female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Due to the large number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.