*Full-time, term-limited (1-year) position with possible renewal

The Task Force for Global Health (TFGH), in collaboration with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is recruiting a senior epidemiologist to provide technical assistance to Ministries of Health (through collaborations with World Health Organizations (WHO), UNICEF, and other Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners for managing outbreak responses and for surveillance and early detection of poliovirus circulation.

BACKGROUND:

The Task Force for Global Health began its work serving as Secretariat for a coalition of several multilateral organizations, contributing to all four Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) objectives, achieving success in developing influenza immunization programs and building a hepatitis elimination center. The Center for Vaccine Equity was founded to build on the Task Force’s experience in immunization and drug donation programs. Working through collaborative partnerships with critical stakeholders and partner organizations, the Center is focused on guiding the development of innovative vaccine procurement and delivery programs.

CVE BACKGROUND:

The Center for Vaccine Excellence (CVE) works to ensure all people have equal access to life-saving vaccines and antiviral agents by expanding availability, supporting vaccine impact studies, and building delivery systems that facilitate access in developing countries. CVE also serves as Secretariat for a number of global health partnerships that advance this mission.

POSITION BACKGROUND:

Rapid detection of poliovirus transmission as well as immediate and effective response to polio outbreaks, is one of the highest priority objectives of GPEI. For rapid detection, strong acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance at national and subnational levels is critical. Detection of any case should be followed by rapid outbreak response to interrupt any transmission through intensified supplementary immunization activities (SIA) , and continued enhancement of AFP surveillance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
As a key member of our team, you'll play a critical role in global polio eradication efforts. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Leading Polio Outbreak Response: Provide strategic and operational oversight for polio outbreak responses, including establishing national and subnational response structures and Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) in collaboration with Ministries of Health.
• Rapid Response Leadership: Lead a Rapid Response Team from the Task Force for Global Health to support CDC and GPEI objectives.
• Outbreak Coordination & Communication: Organize and participate in regular coordination meetings, teleconferences, and produce timely outbreak updates.
• Response Plan Development: Develop and update comprehensive country/regional outbreak response plans, including detailed budgets, human resource surge plans, and activity timelines.
• SIA Implementation Support: Support and lead in-country partners in planning and implementing novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs), focusing on high-risk populations, coordination, logistics, vaccine management, microplanning, social mobilization, and monitoring.
• Surveillance Action Plan Development: Assist in developing and implementing national Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance action plans, including budgeting and human resource needs, as part of the overall outbreak response.
• Surveillance Enhancement: Participate in improving surveillance activities, including network review, prioritization schemes, surveillance in high-risk/inaccessible areas, and expanding Environmental Surveillance (ES).
• Case Investigation & Follow-up: Collaborate closely with Ministries of Health and WHO immunization and surveillance teams on detecting, investigating, and following up on suspected polio cases.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Provide periodic analysis of outbreak response activities and conduct epidemiological analysis, interpreting SIA, AFP, laboratory, and social data.
• Technical Resource: Serve as a lead or technical resource for reviews of technical issues, including data management, surveillance system evaluations, and training.
• Risk Analysis: Continuously update the risk analysis for outbreak countries and high-risk neighboring countries.
• External Assessments: Collaborate and participate in periodic external Outbreak Response Assessments (OBRAs).
• Outbreak Preparedness Leadership: Lead and support countries in their outbreak preparedness efforts.
• Global Immunization Division Support: Contribute to the planning, execution, and evaluation of activities within the Global Immunization Division (GID), with a focus on outbreak response and preparedness.
• Liaison Duties: Act as a liaison between the CDC and GPEI partners in the field.
• International Deployment: Deploy to countries with active outbreaks to provide sustained technical support to outbreak coordination or EOCs as needed, including rapid response deployment within 72 hours of a new outbreak declaration.