Epidemiologist - Training

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Public Health Division (PHD) employs around 42 staff based in Noumea and Suva. It supports members in developing healthier Pacific Island people and communities. The primary focus of the division is to provide scientific and technical assistance and to support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goal for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, prevent diseases, restore and/or maintain health and reduce inequalities in health. PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than individual treatment services.

The role – Epidemiologist – Training will strengthen and contribute to public health surveillance, preparedness and response and research in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and the Pacific region. This is through strengthening capacity for coordinated regional surveillance, effective team management, administration and communication, enhancing evidence-based service delivery through research and strengthening national and regional preparedness and response to public health threats or events. This role will also work closely with Fiji National University and with other stakeholders in the delivery of the Strengthening Health Interventions in the Pacific - Data for Decision Making (SHIP-DDM) programme.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Strengthening capacity for coordinated regional surveillance

• Form effective relationships with member countries and partner agencies in the implementation of the SHIP-DDM programme in the Pacific.
• Consult with crosscutting technical bodies within PHD and SPC to support the identified public health priorities in the SHIP-DDM course and develop joint approaches for action.
• Lead in developing capacity development plans for the implementation of SHIP-DDM in coordination with, or in consideration of, PHD and SPC’s programme activities, and the Pacific island countries and territories’ priorities.
• Support planning and scaling up training in field epidemiology including surveillance, outbreak investigations, and data use among PICT health professionals.

Team management, administration and communications

• Contribute to an environment that fosters effective and harmonious working relationships.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of capacity development activities’ implementation.
• Provide technical inputs in the development of concept papers, protocols, and proposals.
• Contribute to programme, divisional and corporate meetings, publications and reports.

Enhance evidence-based service delivery through research

• Supervise the conduct of research activities as part of the output of SHIP-DDM programme including the PGDAE course.
• Document the results of research studies, and findings presented in appropriate medium and forums.
• Develop in-country capacity to systematically analyse health data to address specific health problems and use data for decision making and policy development.

Strengthening preparedness and response to public health threats or events

• Support the development and strengthening of in-country capacities in surveillance and response.
• Promote and increase harmonisation of surveillance activities across PHD and SPC, and at regional and national levels in PICTs.
• Strengthen surveillance and response capacity at regional and national levels through system improvements.
• Provide technical support for enhanced surveillance during mass gatherings and emergency response to public health events (if required).

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• MBBS and master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or related discipline or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• 10 years of experience in public health surveillance, including communicable and non-communicable disease surveillance.
• Experience in outbreak preparedness and response.
• Experience in the provision of capacity building or on-the job training in field epidemiology.
• Experience in operational research and writing scientific reports and papers.
• Cross-cultural skills and ability to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds.
• Highly developed oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently (up to 30% of the time) in the Pacific region and internationally.

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Epidemiologist – Training is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,245‒4,057 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 10,028–12,535 (USD 4,349–5,436; EUR 3,924–4,905). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.