EpiC Kyrgyz Republic Surveillance Advisor

FHI 360 is a non-profit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of EpiC Kyrgyz Republic Surveillance Advisor. The position will be based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

EpiC Project Description:

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC), a global project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Government (USG) that provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control among all at-risk populations; strengthen global health security (GHS), including outbreak response; improve maternal and child health (MCH), address malaria; and nutrition.

In 2020, FHI 360 through EpiC launched a new multi-year project in Central Asia being implemented in the Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Kazakhstan. Building on the successes to date in the three countries, EpiC is focusing on expanding HIV case finding in the community, and treatment initiation, adherence, and retention support for people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Job description:

The EpiC Kyrgyz Republic Surveillance Advisor (hereinafter Advisor) will provide strategic and technical leadership for the design, implementation, strengthening, and continuous improvement of integrated disease surveillance, outbreak detection, preparedness, and response systems in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Reporting to the EpiC Kyrgyz Republic Associate Director Technical, the Advisor will work closely with government counterparts, technical institutions, academic organizations, and development partners to strengthen event-based, indicator-based, and community-based surveillance systems; improve integrated public health surveillance; support One Health coordination; strengthen rapid response capacities; institutionalize joint risk assessment mechanisms; and enhance the use of surveillance information for evidence-based decision-making and public health action.

The position requires advanced technical expertise in epidemiology, surveillance systems, outbreak preparedness and response, risk assessment, workforce development, and multisectoral coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Surveillance systems strengthening

• Lead technical activities aimed at strengthening integrated disease surveillance systems.

• Support assessment and improvement of surveillance policies, procedures, indicators, and reporting mechanisms.

• Facilitate development and revision of surveillance guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical tools, and operational frameworks.

• Strengthen Event-Based Surveillance (EBS), Indicator-Based Surveillance (IBS), and Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) systems.

• Support development and implementation of active surveillance approaches for priority diseases and public health threats.

• Support implementation of early warning surveillance systems and event verification mechanisms.

• Conduct assessments of surveillance system performance and recommend evidence-based improvement measures.

• Promote innovative and sustainable approaches to strengthen surveillance effectiveness and public health impact.

One Health coordination

• Strengthen collaboration between human, animal, wildlife, and environmental health sectors.
• Support establishment and functioning of One Health technical working groups and coordination mechanisms.
• Promote multisectoral information sharing, coordinated planning, and joint implementation processes.
• Facilitate implementation of integrated surveillance activities addressing zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging public health threats.
• Support institutionalization of One Health surveillance approaches within national systems.

Joint risk assessment and preparedness

• Support development and institutionalization of Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) mechanisms.
• Facilitate development of methodologies, guidance documents, analytical tools, and training materials.
• Organize and support pilot JRAs and integration of findings into preparedness planning.
• Strengthen use of surveillance and epidemiological data to inform risk assessments and preparedness decision-making.
• Support development of routine risk monitoring and risk intelligence products.
• Promote integration of risk assessment findings into national preparedness and response frameworks.

Outbreak investigation and response

• Strengthen national and subnational Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).
• Support development and implementation of outbreak investigation procedures, protocols, tools, and reporting systems.
• Provide technical assistance during outbreak investigations and emergency response activities.
• Strengthen systems for timely detection, verification, reporting, and response to public health events.
• Support implementation of event management and outbreak information-sharing mechanisms.
• Support implementation of after-action reviews (AARs), intra-action reviews (IARs), and corrective action planning.

Simulation exercises and preparedness

• Lead planning and implementation of tabletop, functional, and field simulation exercises.
• Support assessment of emergency preparedness systems and identification of improvement actions.
• Contribute to development and revision of preparedness plans and emergency response frameworks.
• Support evaluation of exercise outcomes and integration of lessons learned into preparedness improvement plans.
• Promote continuous preparedness learning and readiness monitoring.

Knowledge management and technical leadership

• Develop technical briefs, reports, case studies, presentations, and knowledge products.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned, innovations, and best practices.
• Promote evidence-based approaches to surveillance strengthening and health security programming.
• Contribute to technical thought leadership and knowledge exchange at national, regional, and international levels.
• Support operational research and analysis activities related to surveillance and preparedness priorities.

Program Management and Representation

• Support development and implementation of annual work plans and technical strategies.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, presentations, donor deliverables, and briefing materials.
• Represent the project in technical working groups, coordination meetings, stakeholder consultations, and professional forums.
• Coordinate closely with government institutions, academic organizations, development partners, and implementing agencies.
• Contribute to development of scopes of work, consultant deliverables, and technical assistance plans.
• Support monitoring of project implementation and achievement of expected surveillance and preparedness outcomes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Security, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Public Health Informatics, Biostatistics, or a related field.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, public health emergency management, or health security programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Event-Based Surveillance (EBS), Indicator-Based Surveillance (IBS), Community-Based Surveillance (CBS), or related surveillance systems.
• Experience working with Ministries of Health and other government institutions.
• Experience supporting donor-funded international development programs.
• Demonstrated experience developing technical guidance, SOPs, training materials, and surveillance tools.
• Experience facilitating stakeholder coordination and multisectoral collaboration.
• Experience supporting preparedness exercises, outbreak investigations, and emergency response activities.
• Experience using surveillance information to support program monitoring and public health decision-making.
• English and Russian language fluency required; knowledge of Kyrgyz is an advantage.

Travel Requirements:

• 30% within the Kyrgyz Republic.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

The expected hiring salary range for this role is indexed to USD 21,000 - 30,000 for annual basic salary. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay, and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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