Principal Technical Officer/Lead Emergency and Response

AU Values

• Respect for Diversity and Team Work
• Think Africa Above all

• Transparency and Accountability
• Integrity and Impartiality

• Efficiency and Professionalism
• Information and Knowledge Sharing

Organization Information

Reports to: Country Director ( Cross Border Country Lead)
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: Emergency Preparedness and Response(EPR)
Number of Direct Reports:
Number of Indirect Reports:
Job Grade: P4
Number of Position: 8
Contract of Position: ALD
Location:

1. Central Africa Republic
2. Somalia
3. Kenya
4. Tanzania
5. Rwanda
6. Cameroon
7. Uganda
8. Congo Republic

Purpose of Job

The Principal Technical Officer/Lead Emergency Preparedness and Response shall provide technical leadership and operational oversight for Ebola preparedness and response activities in the assigned affected or at-risk countries for BVD outbreak. The incumbent will support implementation of preparedness and response plans, strengthen operational readiness, coordinate field-level activities, and ensure effective implementation of surveillance, emergency preparedness, rapid response, and community engagement interventions.

The position will work closely with national and subnational authorities, Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs), implementing partners, and frontline responders to strengthen preparedness capacities and support timely and effective outbreak response operations.

Main Functions

Provide technical leadership and operational oversight for Ebola/BVD preparedness and response activities supporting the Country Director/Cross-Border Country Lead, in the implementation of preparedness and response plans, strengthening operational readiness, coordinating field-level activities, and ensuring effective implementation of surveillance, emergency preparedness, rapid response, and community engagement interventions.

Specific Responsibilities

Emergency Preparedness and Operational Readiness

• Support implementation of national Ebola preparedness and response plans.
• Coordinate preparedness assessments, readiness reviews, and operational planning exercises.
• Support development and implementation of contingency plans and preparedness improvement plans.
• Monitor preparedness indicators and recommend corrective actions.
• Facilitate simulation exercises, drills, and after-action reviews.
• Support continuity planning for essential services during public health emergencies.

Field Operations and Emergency Response Coordination

• Provide support to MS in implementing preparedness and response activities at national and subnational levels.
• Contribute to coordinating deployment supervision and operational management of rapid response teams.
• Monitor implementation of field activities and operational performance as needed by Africa CDC support and in close coordination with local authorities and other development partners.
• Contribute to coordinating activation and operationalization of emergency response mechanisms.
• Contribute to facilitating coordination between field teams, PHEOCs, and national authorities.
• Track operational challenges and support timely resolution as it relates to the support that Africa CDC is offering the specific country in which the staff is working.

Surveillance, Early Warning, and Epidemiological Support

• Contribute to implementation of integrated disease surveillance and event-based surveillance activities.
  Support the implementation of community-based surveillance activities.
• Support case investigation, contact tracing, and alert management systems.
  Monitor epidemiological trends and contribute to risk assessments.
• Support implementation and utilization of digital surveillance platforms and reporting tools.

Community Engagement and Risk Communication

• Contribute to coordinating implementation of risk communication and community engagement activities.
• Collaborate with local authorities, community leaders, civil society organizations, and community structures.
• Work with other consultants and staff of Africa CDC to enhance the monitoring of community feedback, rumors, and misinformation that Africa CDC would work with staff and consultants.
• As related to the staff specialty and technical knowledge of health, support other Africa CDC staff and consultants working on development and dissemination of communication materials and preparedness messages.
• Provide technical assistance to local health authorities to enhance their capacity to facilitate community participation in preparedness and response activities.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Safe and Dignified Burials

• Support with technical assistance the local staff working on implementation of infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities and communities.
• Contribute to Coordinate assessments of IPC readiness and compliance.
• Support training and mentoring of healthcare workers on IPC standards.
• Provide technical assistance and advice to local health authorities on ways of strengthening safe and dignified burial capacities and systems.
• Working in coordination with other development partners and local health authorities to Monitor implementation of IPC action plans and recommendations.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, Emergency Management, Health Security, Nursing, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10years of progressively responsible professional experience for candidates with a Master’s degree, or 12 years for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in public health emergency preparedness and response including at least 6 years of experience at an expert level and 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Experience supporting Ebola, VHF, or infectious disease outbreak preparedness and response activities.
• Experience in surveillance systems, emergency operations, field coordination, or health emergency management.
• Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and development partners.
• Experience working in fragile and complex operating environments is desirable.

Required Skills

Leadership

• Team coordination and operational management.
• Planning and implementation of emergency preparedness activities.
• Stakeholder coordination and problem-solving.
• Field team supervision and performance management.
  Technical Competencies
• Emergency preparedness and response.
• Ebola and VHF preparedness and response.
• Surveillance and epidemiology.
• Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM).
• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).
• Monitoring and evaluation.
  Communication
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Effective communication and coordination abilities.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and partners.
  Personal Attributes
• Ability to work under pressure in emergency environments.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• High level of professionalism and integrity.

Language Requirements
Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Travel Requirements
The position requires frequent travel to Ebola affected areas, high-risk districts, border locations, and operational coordination meetings

Leadership Competencies

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies

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TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The Appointment will be for a period of Eleven (11) Months, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

Africa CDC is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

LANGUAGES:

Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

REMUNERATION:

The monthly salary attached to the position for P4 Step 5 inclusive of all allowances is indicated below:

Requisition ID:

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Applications must be submitted no later than November 11, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EAT

-Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted. -Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise. -The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. -Candidates from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of South Sudan are strongly encouraged to apply for this position .