Polio Surveillance Officer, Kenya STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Project

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PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing heath challenges. 

PATH seeks a Polio Surveillance Officer for the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Project. The global project will support and strengthen surveillance, detection and analytical capacity of infectious diseases across both human and animal health.

The Polio Surveillance Officer must meet or exceed the required qualifications listed below. This individual should be a subject matter expert who will assist with the technical surveillance aspects of the project, including developing and implementing policies and processes, and ensuring quality delivery of service on surveillance activities in Kenya.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead technical support for polio surveillance, including Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance, environmental surveillance (ES), and community‑based reporting systems in Kenya

• Strengthen national and subnational surveillance performance to meet Global polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) standards, including non‑polio AFP rates, stool adequacy, and timeliness

• Support the development, coordination, and implementation of surveillance activities in the programmatic workplan, including epidemiological surveillance, laboratory surveillance of zoonotic, epidemic‑ and pandemic‑prone diseases, and polio‑specific activities such as AFP surveillance and environmental surveillance (ES) at national and regional levels

• Review and revise project and donor reports and draft publications and external communication

• Coordinate and work with a diverse group of organizations, such as ministries of health, district health staff, international and national development partner organizations, etc.

• Demonstrate good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining solutions, with little supervision

• Contribute to polio outbreak preparedness and response, including rapid field deployments, updating outbreak response plans, and supporting after‑action or intra‑action reviews

• Assist with the production and timely dissemination of high-quality relevant data and information, including internal and external situation reports (SitReps), the bulletins, health risk assessments. Coordinate with technical and programmatic staff members to ensure that activities are performed as per award requirements and consistent with policy

• Support internal learning and development of infectious disease surveillance activities within PATH

Required qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree or its International Equivalent in Knowledge/Information in epidemiology, public health, veterinary medicine or related field from a recognized institution

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including direct experience in polio surveillance (AFP and/or environmental surveillance), outbreak investigation, or VPD surveillance in Kenya

• Experience in polio surveillance systems, and outbreak investigation and control in Kenya

• Experience working on large USG-funded projects or technical implementation

• Demonstrated ability coordinating staff across multiple projects simultaneously

• In depth knowledge of, and practical expertise in, public health issues and trends, epidemiological theory, principles and practices and surveillance techniques, systems and procedures

• Knowledge and skills in supporting cooperation among countries for polio management in the areas of epidemiology, surveillance and response

• Ability to analyze information, identify problems and recommend solutions or adjustments that take into account the particular situations in different countries

• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines, and an emphasis on quality

• Strong analytical skills, and experience with DIHS2 use, polio surveillance databases, and tool development

• Relevant publications, presentations, reports, and manual/tool development

• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization

• Prior experience in animal health, zoonotic diseases, or multisectoral collaborations

• English working proficiency required

• Willing to travel within Kenya estimated at 25%

Must have legal authorization to work in Kenya