The Africa CDC is Africa’s first continent-wide public health entity and envisions a safer, healthier, integrated, and stronger Africa, where the Member States are capable of effectively responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. Administratively, Africa CDC is designed to operate a decentralized model that allows it to work with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) of AU Member States, through five Regional Collaborating Centers located in Egypt, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia, for the Northern Africa, Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Western Africa, and Southern Africa regions respectively.

In partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, Africa CDC will implement the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Initiative (SLL), which aims to strengthen Africa’s public health institutional capabilities to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other health burdens through an integrated network of continent-wide preparedness and response, surveillance, laboratory and research programs. Working collaboratively with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Africa CDC is inviting applicants who are citizens of African Union member states for fixed-term posts for 92 positions to staff the SLL Initiative, based at Africa CDC’s Headquarters and in the Regional Collaborating Centres (RCCs).

This recruitment effort is being led EXCLUSIVELY BY OXFORD HR

The Programme officer will provide day-to-day support to the Programme Manager. The Programme Officer will serve as a principal advisor and will provide technical support to the Programme Manager in internal and external affairs of the Africa CDC.

The Africa CDC is Africa’s first continent-wide public health entity and envisions a safer, healthier, integrated, and stronger Africa, where the Member States are capable of effectively responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. Administratively, Africa CDC is designed to operate a decentralized model that allows it to work with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) of AU Member States, through five Regional Collaborating Centers located in Egypt, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia, for the Northern Africa, Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Western Africa, and Southern Africa regions respectively.

In partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, Africa CDC will implement the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Initiative (SLL), which aims to strengthen Africa’s public health institutional capabilities to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other health burdens through an integrated network of continent-wide preparedness and response, surveillance, laboratory and research programs. Working collaboratively with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Africa CDC is inviting applicants who are citizens of African Union member states for fixed-term posts for 92 positions to staff the SLL Initiative, based at Africa CDC’s Headquarters and in the Regional Collaborating Centres (RCCs).

This recruitment effort is being led EXCLUSIVELY BY OXFORD HR

The Programme officer will provide day-to-day support to the Programme Manager. The Programme Officer will serve as a principal advisor and will provide technical support to the Programme Manager in internal and external affairs of the Africa CDC.

The Programme Officer shall:

• Advise the Programme Manager on all activities that affect the vaccine rollout programme including policy, programmes, projects, and initiatives;
  
• Support the Programme Manager in developing, preparing, and presenting guidelines, presentations, memoranda, briefings, staff papers and other materials;
  
• Coordinate or directly prepare presentations, talking points and briefing materials for meetings of the Programme Manager;
  
• Organize all information that flows to and from the Programme Manager and prioritize according to need and urgency to ensure efficiency in decision-making;
  
• Oversee and coordinate the daily activities of the Programme Manager including determining the Manager’s schedule based on agreed priorities;
  
• Attend meetings and discussions on behalf of the Programme Manager;
  
• Address emerging concerns or delays in a timely manner, and if it is not possible to resolve, escalate to the Programme Manager;
  
• Represent Africa CDC in a professional manner, which creates a positive image and enhances the credibility of the organization; and
  
• Perform any other duties as requested by the Programme Manager
  

Qualifications and skills required

Bachelor’s degree in public health, business administration, public administration or related field and minimum of 5 years’ experience. Supervisory experience is an advantage.

Or

Master’s degree in public health, business administration, public administration or related field and minimum of 2 years’ experience. Supervisory experience is an advantage.

Functional skills:

• Demonstrated planning and organizational skills
  
•  Excellent technical writing skills
  
• Ability to prepare and facilitate negotiations with senior stakeholders and partners
  
• Clear understanding of African health systems and implementing partners
  
• Excellent computer skills, including word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications as well as experience in using office software applications such as MS Excel, Power Point and Word
  

Personal abilities:

• Strong problem solving abilities
  
• Ability to plan and predict potential and emerging barriers
  
• Ability to build strong relationships internally and with external stakeholders
  
• High level of autonomy at work with a profound team spirit
  
• Ability to work under pressure, with minimal supervision
  
• Ability to work and thrive in a culturally diverse team
  
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient, and flexible
  

Applicants must be proficient in at least one of the African Union working languages (English, French, Arabic, Spanish or Portuguese). Knowledge of two or more of African Union working languages would be an added advantage.