Epidemiology Advisor

--HQ--

Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? MSF is an organization committed to promoting diversity and equity by providing equal access to professional opportunities. We understand that women, people of color, indigenous individuals, members of the LGTB+ community, and other underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply for employment if they don't meet all the requirements. At MSF EA, we strive to create a diverse, inclusive, and genuine workplace. Therefore, if you're interested in this position but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions.  

Introduction

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation. 

About MSF Eastern Africa

MSF Eastern Africa is the regional institutional office of MSF. It focuses on representation and networking, recruiting and supporting staff from the region, communications and fundraising, as well as working on other dossiers of importance to MSF such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Data Protection, mutualization, training, medical operational support and environmental health.  

Rationale/Objective for Position

The Epidemiological Advisor is responsible for leading the epidemiological activities across MSF-EA, planning and advising context specific diseases, surveillance and outbreak investigation and response.

This position will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to the Medical Data Science Advisor.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Lead epidemiology portfolio of annual planning and integration into MSF-EA strategy.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

Support to Operations - Headquarters/Regional level

• Provide a regional overview of the epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases, nutrition situations or other relevant information, through interagency surveillance monitoring, etc.
• Perform horizon scanning and give advice regarding epidemic-prone diseases, nutrition, etc. in the supported countries and in the region.
• Develop and enable utilization of the existing MSF-EA regional public health intelligence and anticipatory action system development.
• Train MSF staff and partners in surveillance methods, outbreak response, and data interpretation.
• Develop tools and guidelines for field epidemiology and data use.
• Consolidate regional epidemiological data to inform advocacy efforts.
• Participate in public health forums, conferences, and dissemination events.
• Support the Medical and Healthcare Advocacy Unit with evidence for policy dialogue.
• Represent headquarter meetings with Epi advisors, epidemiologists, technical advisors such as GIS experts and referents such as HIV/TB malaria, health promotion, environmental health, vaccinations, nutrition, mental health, etc.  in the technical collaboration with MSF-EA
• Provide technical guidance and support decision making in Operational Research Planning, Epidemiological activities, Outbreak response preparedness and monitoring and evaluation.
• Create a collaborative project with the other Epidemiology Advisors of other MSF Operational centers, Epicenter, or others.

MSF-EA Epidemiology Support Structure.

• Lead the ongoing implementation of the MSF-EA Epidemiology support model.
• Collaborate with the other Epi Advisors and relevant units (In Nairobi and other operation centers and cells) in developing the strategy on a broader Public Health Intelligence Framework of MSF-EA.
• Lead the evaluation and improvement of the epidemiology support structure in MSF-EA
• Operational Research (OR) Activities Support
• Work with the Operational Research advisors in the MSF-EA and other OC researchers and external collaborators supporting operations, projects and the medical department to define and prioritize the operational research areas across the missions of MSF-EA.
• Review operational research agendas and provide general operational research support, including confirmation of the ethical review requirements and approvals .
• Lead the OR project cycle, write concept notes, study protocols, advanced data analysis, follow up the ethical approval procedures, editorial and manuscript writing, dissemination of research findings (publications and presentations)
• Build the local capacity for operational research infrastructure including human resource skills and log and technological advances in operational research.

Surveillance and Emergency Response

• Design and implement surveillance systems for disease monitoring in humanitarian settings.
• Lead or support outbreak investigations, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Collaborate with emergency response teams to assess health needs and guide interventions.

Data Management and Analysis

• Collect, clean, and analyze epidemiological data from field missions and external sources.
• Develop DHIS2 dashboards and visualizations for real-time monitoring and reporting of medical data.
• Apply statistical and modeling techniques to predict disease trends and inform response strategies.
• Conduct and support epidemiological and data related training.

Other Responsibilities

• Ensure confidentiality of personal/medical information of staff through compliance to General Data Protection Regulation and be the GDPR champion for the Staff Health area.
• Be part of the occupational health and safety committee for the MSF EA office and ensure compliance with the Occupational safety and health (OSH) ACT, through license acquisition and following up implementation of the OSH recommendations.
• Integrate EDI & Safeguarding aspects in area of work responsibility, including policies and practices.
• Recognize, respond, and document any form of abuse or inappropriate behavior and alert the safeguarding unit of any suspected potential abuse.
• Proactively participate in the individual performance management process including objective setting, performance monitoring and performance evaluation.

Qualifications

Education:

• Formal postgraduate training in Epidemiology or Public Health with a focus on epidemiology and medical statistics is required.
• Knowledge of health information software (HIS e.g. DHIS2) and GIS software suites (e.g. ArcGIS or QGIS are an advantage)
• Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) or equivalent an added advantage
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in statistical software (R, Python).

Experience:

• Essential; 3–5 years of relevant field experience as an epidemiologist in MSF or another humanitarian medical organization is required.
• Medical or paramedical profile required.
• Expertise in outbreak investigation, surveillance systems, and operational research.
• Fluency in spoken and written English. French is an added advantage. 
  
• Experience working in emergencies or outbreak settings
• Proven experience conducting public health assessments, surveillance, outbreak investigations, and survey design/implementation.
• Experience leading or supporting multi-country or complex projects is an asset

Competencies:

• Technical Competencies
• • Demonstrated ability in protocol development and data-driven reporting
  • Proficiency in statistical software (R, Python, Stata, or Julia highly valued)
  • Experience in dashboard creation (e.g., Shiny, Power BI)
  • Competence in data analysis, visualization, and interpretation
  • Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research designs
  • Ability to conduct rapid assessments, establish Epi Alert systems, and manage surveillance frameworks
  • Strong scientific rigor, attention to detail, and data ethics
• Behavioral/General Competencies
• • Commitment to MSF’s Principles
  • Cross-cultural Awareness
  • Strategic Vision
  • Results and Quality Orientation
  • Service Orientation
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Initiative and Innovation
  • Teamwork and Cooperation
  • People Management and Development
  • Networking and Building Relationships
  • Security awareness and Management

What We Offer:

• Contract: A One (1) year full-time employment contract through MSF East Africa Section Office in Nairobi, Kenya. Contract is extendable based on needs and performance.
• Salary: An annual salary of EUR 31,216 at HQ Grade 9 based on a full-time appointment with an annual increment of 2% every year up to a maximum of 10 years.
• Work-life balance financial benefit; ranging between EUR 620 to 1,159/month based on individual & administrative status. This amount may be used to cover accommodation and utilities, transportation, etc.

• Other benefits include;
• • Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave per year.
  • Other Holidays: sick leave, circumstantial leave, maternity leave (21 weeks), paternity leave (4 weeks), own affairs days off, etc.
  • Employer Pension contribution: 10% of basic salary:
  • International insurance for both medical and disability. 
  • Relocation support for non-Kenyan residents; based on MSF EA terms/conditions. Only applicable if the contract is more than 1 year.
  • Work-life balance: Daily flexi-hours and 2 days working from home possible.
  • School fees benefits: for eligible dependents, based on individual & administrative status.
  • Diverse team composition; Collaborate with a global network of talented professionals, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise from around the world.
  • Career Development: MSF provides many learning resources (online learning resources, regular trainings – including language, Peer to peer learning.
  • Mobility: You will have opportunities to travel abroad for work, meetings, trainings and workshops; giving you a chance to experience different cultures and broaden your professional network. 
  • Annual home leave ticket: To be taken once every year for both staff and eligible dependents back to their home country for vacation. Only applicable to non-Kenyans / non-Kenya residents and based on individual & administrative status.

Application process

• Applicants are required to upload a Letter of Motivation + Curriculum Vitae (in English) in PDF format as one combined document.    

• The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 19th November 2025.

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact recruitment@nairobi.msf.org before the vacancy closing date. Kindly use this email only for technical issues related to your application, for example, if you do not receive an automated response or encounter problems uploading documents. Applications sent directly to this email will not be considered.

Information

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. MSF will not use your personal data in any other way not foreseen for purposes of recruitment.

MSF is an equal-opportunity employer and does not charge any application/ recruitment fee.

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation, and all other diversity characteristics. Women and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.

Lately MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such MSF is by choice an association. Each individual applying for MSF roles does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.