Epidemiologist (Karari) – MSF Swizerland

Job Description

Organization	Médecins Sans Frontières Swizerland
Job Title	Epidemiologist
Location	Currently based in Karari locality, with potential work placements throughout Khartoum State (particularly Sharg Al Nil)
Section/Unit	Medical & Paramedical
No. of Post	1
Duration	6 Months
Supervisor	PMR – Project Medical Referent
Closing Date	18/09/2025

Médecins Sans Frontières – Switzerland (MSF-Swiss) is a medical, humanitarian, impartial and international non-profit organization. MSF provides exclusively humanitarian and medical assistance to populations in need, without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, philosophy, or politics and is independent of any political, religious, military or economic power.

At MSF Switzerland, we are committed to an inclusive culture that supports and amplifies the diverse voices of our staff members. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas, and experiences work together to advance MSF’s social mission and create better outcomes for our patients and the communities we work with.

We understand that some people may hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all listed job requirements. Research shows that this is especially true for women. If you believe your profile is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply even if you don’t fulfil every listed qualification. 

We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics. 

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment.

MSF-Swiss is seeking to employ 1 (one) qualified candidate in the Khartoum Project for the position of Epidemiologist. Interested applicants may find the detailed job description of this position below.

Main Purpose of the position:

Assessing, implementing, and maintaining the epidemiological surveillance systems/monitoring (if needed) according to MSF protocols, standards, and procedures in order to contribute to appropriate evidence-based decision making using well-managed health data in outbreak and emergency MSF programmes.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out key epidemiological activities in outbreak investigation (description including time, place, people with emphasis on mapping when it is needed) and advising on the operational response 
• Implementing and maintaining a surveillance system to monitor epidemiological trends of relevant outbreak-prone diseases. Guiding activities of medical staff for surveillance and/or active case finding, including ensuring understanding of the need for consistent case definitions and data recording (briefing of all new staff)
• Monitoring and Implementing initial Assessment (for emergency situation), rapid health assessments and (baseline or follow-up) surveys. Where standard protocols are not available or appropriate, developing a protocol seeking extensive feedback and pilot testing of tools to ensure the objectives will be met robustly with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Preparing and adapting routine documentation (survey forms, training materials, letters of request/notification, locally appropriate consent forms etc.) with support of HQ epidemiologist. Preparing an appropriate sampling frame and sample selection guidelines with support of HQ epidemiologist
• Planning and supervising the associated HR processes of the staff under his/her responsibility (recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) and ensuring that staff exhibits required skills after training and pilot test
• Managing data systems and ensuring accurate, high quality databases; analyzing results and preparing regular written reports on progress and findings for medical coordinator/HQ and when appropriate to external collaborators/networks (MoH, other NGOs, etc.)
• Providing training sessions to medical teams on relevant aspects of epidemiology to enhance team response capacity

Context Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure data completeness, accuracy and timely DHIS2 encoding for all Khartoum Project medical activities
• Induct updated tally sheets and standardized data collection tools in all MSF-supported departments and community activities
• Define and standardize data collection tools for community activities, in collaboration with other partners

Qualification, Skills, and Experience Required:

Requirements

Education: Medical doctor (preferable), nurse, or biomedical background with a degree in epidemiology (not in public health)

Experience: Essential: 2 years of experience in tropical medicine; experience in field epidemiology

Desirable: experience at MSF or other NGOs at the coordination level

Language: Fluent Arabic and English

Knowledge: 

• Use of epidemiology-related analytical software (Excel, Epi-Info, STATA, or SPSS)
• Essential computer literacy (Word, Excel)
• Communication skills and knowledge of the Sudanese health system, as well as experience in emergency settings, are assets.

How o Apply

All applications should at a minimum include:

• Accurate contact information (candidate’s primary and secondary phone number)
• Copy of the National identification document (National Number/national ID/Passport)
• Cover letter detailing your motivation for this specific position
• Complete CV, detailing the applicant’s education and professional experience
• Copies of relevant diplomas and certificates mentioned in the CV
• Contact information of previous employer(s) and other references

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. In this recruitment process, candidates will have to pass a written test and an interview.

!!! Please note that your application will only be considered if you filled in this application’s Google Form and uploaded all the required documents through the same survey !!!

Applications will not be considered !!!