SURVEILLANCE SPECIALIST, TUBERCULOSIS

Secretariat of the pacific community POSITION DESCRIPTION SURVEILLANCE SPECIALIST, TUBERCULOSIS BACKGROUND The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. SPC works in a wide range of sectors with the aim of achieving three development outcomes – sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and development , and sustainable human and social development. SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji, and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and country offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Additional information on SPC, particularly regarding its work in specific sectors, can be found on its website: www.spc.int. PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION SPC’s Public Health Division (PHD) supports the development of healthier Pacific Island communities through four broad objectives under the strategic plan 2010–2014: 1. Combat and reduce the overall impact and burden of diseases 2. Contribute to strengthening national health systems 3. Increase the capacity of Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) to address non-health sector determinants of health 4. Increase the efficiency and impact of interventions PHD’s primary focus is to provide technical assistance and to implement programmes in support of countries’ priorities and plans. PHD has staff based in Noumea, Suva, Pohnpei, Honiara and Port Vila. Information on PHD and the division’s strategic plan is available at www.spc.int/php. The activities of the Disease Surveillance, Research, Response and Control Unit, referred to as the Disease Unit, flow from the framework of the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) as well as best practices in the control of diseases and health issues (including HIV and sexually transmitted infections [STIs], tuberculosis [TB] and other communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases [NCDs], and key determinants of health). The Disease Unit provides support to PICTs to address their priority diseases under a country-based approach with the aim of reducing the overall impact and burden of communicable, emerging and re-emerging diseases through effective prevention, control and management. It will lead the PHD contribution to SPC cross-cutting platforms in relation to disasters, climate change and environmental issues. The unit also develops and maintains the five core functions that have been identified as ways for SPC to enhance surveillance capacity and disease control within the region. Three teams make up the unit: (1) surveillance and operational research, (2) laboratory strengthening, and (3) disease control. The Surveillance Specialist, TB is a member of the Surveillance and Operational Research Team and reports to the Team Leader. The job holder’s role includes (1) data management, improvement and analysis to support national TB programme implementation and donor reporting; (2) provision of TB technical assistance and capacity building to staff from national ministries of health; (3) provision of support to the TB Team to effectively monitor and evaluate progress against TB control targets; and (4) development and maintenance of effective and collaborative working relationships with partners involved in TB control in the region. The position will contribute to the whole of health approach of PHD and will support its cross-sectoral work regarding TB and health systems strengthening. The position will work in the Disease Unit within the Surveillance and Operational Research Team and will work closely with members of the TB Team. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The position of Surveillance Specialist, TBencompasses the following major roles and responsibilities in support of PHD’s strategic plan objectives: 1. Data management · Collect quarterly TB data from Pacific Island countries and territories, verify data according to pre-defined definitions and oversee entry of data into dedicated TB database. · Verify and analyse TB data on a regular basis (i.e. six-monthly) for the purpose of reporting and dissemination to the national TB programmes/donors/agencies and other stakeholders. 2. Technical assistance and capacity building · Provide high quality technical assistance to national TB programmes on data management, surveillance, data quality, data dissemination and using data for decision-making and policy change. · Provide training to national TB programmes on TB recording and reporting and assist them to update TB recording and reporting tools. 3. Gender and human rights · Ensure that all reports and policy documents developed by the Surveillance and Operational Research and TB Teams are disaggregated by gender and promote universal access to TB care and information. · Participate in PHD/SPC activities aimed at addressing the social determinants of health/health systems strengthening and capacity building. 4. Knowledge management · Contribute to any structure within PHD that relates to data management, undertaking tasks that contribute to the achievement of PHD’s goals and objectives as requested by the PHD management and the Team Leader, Surveillance and Operational Research (Epidemiologist). 5. Partnership and harmonisation · Work collaboratively with other technical agencies/donors/other partners to harmonise approaches to TB data collection, analysis and reporting in the region. 6. Monitoring and evaluation · Support improved monitoring and evaluation of national TB programmes by working closely with the TB Technical Officer and national TB programme staff (as required). QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Essential Ø Postgraduate qualifications in public health, epidemiology or related field. Ø At least five years of experience in public health surveillance and data management including analysis and reporting of descriptive health data. Ø Proficiency with databases and/or statistical software packages used for public health surveillance and/or data analysis (Epi Info, SPSS or similar software). Ø Experience in the provision of capacity building/training in data management, surveillance and data quality issues. Ø A minimum of two years of experience in a developing country setting. Ø Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ø Excellent organisational and time management skills and ability to deliver high quality products within agreed timeframes. Ø Cross-cultural skills and ability to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds. Ø Professional level fluency in English. Ø Willingness to travel in the Pacific region routinely. Desirable Ø Postgraduate training in TB control. Ø Knowledge and understanding of bilateral and multilateral donor agencies and other health agencies. Ø Previous experience working with communicable disease programmes or with national TB programmes. Ø Previous work experience in the Pacific. Ø Working knowledge of French. SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS SALARY AND ALLOWANCES The position is in Band 11 of SPC's salary scale. Salaries for staff recruited internationally are set in SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and paid in the local currency (e.g. the French Pacific Franc, XPF, in New Caledonia). As per SPC’s 2011 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 3,589–5,182 per month. At prevailing exchange rates, these amounts convert to approximately XPF 490,257–707,861 per month (USD 5,600–8,200 / EUR 4,100–5900). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. The organisation subsidises housing. An SPC-owned or SPC-rented house or flat will be made available, with the staff member contributing 25 per cent of the normal rental. In addition, an establishment grant is payable to non-residents of New Caledonia. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable. SPC salaries are not subject to income tax in New Caledonia at the present time. PROVIDENT FUND The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute eight per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution. TENURE The appointment is for a period up to 30 June 2013, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability. DUTY STATION Noumea, New Caledonia. LEAVE Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. Sick leave is 30 working days per annum. MEDICAL BENEFITS SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctors’ fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits. FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES For an appointee recruited outside New Caledonia, the cost of air fares by the most direct and / or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination. COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows. SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT Smoking is not permitted in the work place. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit, but in cases where two short-listed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES The closing date for applications is 20 October 2011

Applicants are asked to use SPC’s online recruitment system. Only those applicants residing in a Pacific country or territory who cannot access the online recruitment system are allowed to send their documents to: Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia or submit them by fax (+ 687 26 38 18) or email (spc@spc.int, preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format). All other applicants must use the on-line recruiting system or their applications will not be considered. Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position in their cover letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.