MSF’s epidemiologists play a crucial role in assessing, implementing, and maintaining epidemiological surveillance systems in outbreak and emergency programmes. They support evidence-based decision making by collecting and analysing well-managed health data.

From investigating outbreaks to monitoring trends of outbreak-prone diseases and guiding medical staff in surveillance activities, epidemiologists are key to our responses during health emergencies.

This diverse and impactful role supports our humanitarian and medical response and involves the following activities:

Responsibilities

  • Assess, implement, and maintain epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring according to MSF protocols, standards, and procedures.
  • Conduct key epidemiological activities in outbreak investigations and provide advice on operational responses.
  • Implement and maintain surveillance systems to monitor trends of outbreak-prone diseases.
  • Guide medical staff in surveillance and active case finding, ensuring understanding of consistent case definitions and data recording.
  • Monitor and implement initial assessments, rapid health assessments, and surveys for emergency situations.
  • Develop protocols for assessments and surveys with feedback and pilot testing support from epidemiologists located in headquarters.
  • Prepare and adapt routine documentation with support from epidemiologists located in headquarters.
  • Plan and supervise human resources processes for staff under responsibility, ensuring required skills post-training.
  • Manage data systems, ensuring accurate and high-quality databases; analyse results and prepare regular reports.
  • Provide training to medical teams on relevant epidemiological aspects of projects in order to enhance response capacity.

Requirements

  • Medical doctor (preferable), nurse, or biomedical background with a degree in epidemiology (not in public health).
  • At least a few years of tropical medicine experience.
  • Experience in epidemiology at field-level.
  • Proficiency in a language of a project where we work – English, French, Arabic, and Spanish are desirable.
  • Knowledge of epidemiology-related analytical software (Excel, Epi-info, STATA, or SPSS).