Epidemiologists
About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders
Epidemiologists
In the midst of an outbreak, our project teams rely on our epidemiologists to determine the spread and speed of a disease, as well as strategies for containment.
Responsibilities
As an epidemiologist working with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), you will coordinate the collection of epidemiological data, including active case findings, during disease outbreaks. You will also set up and evaluate surveys and surveillance systems, supervise and train staff, and support policy development.
As an epidemiologist, you will help plan the response during a disease outbreak, including participating in active case finding and planning vaccination campaigns as well as water and sanitation interventions. You will also conduct mortality surveys, evaluate and set up surveillance systems, and offer other epidemiological support to strengthen evidence-based decision-making.
Requirements
- Degree in epidemiology, or master’s degree in public health with extensive epidemiology training
- Minimum two years of relevant post-qualification work experience
- Practical skills in the design, implementation and evaluation of quantitative and qualitative epidemiological research
- Experience in outbreak control
- Ability to design and implement surveillance and other data collection systems for disease and outbreak monitoring, including mortality and nutritional surveys
- Ability to train others in data collection and analysis
- Practical skills working with epidemiological databases and statistical analysis software (Microsoft Excel and at least one statistics program)
- Experience in managing staff in a multicultural team (supervision and training)
- Excellent command of English, as well as French (level B2) or another language (Arabic, Spanish).
- Relevant travel or work experience in contexts similar to where MSF works (armed conflicts, disasters, public health emergencies, or situations of healthcare exclusion)
- Available to work from six to 12 months
Assets
- Relevant diploma, preferably a university degree
- International humanitarian or healthcare, medical management
Before you apply
As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, it is essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.
Security and Safety
Because Doctors Without Borders’ purpose is to bring medical assistance to people in distress, the work may occur in settings of active conflict, or in post-conflict environments, in which there are inherent risks, potential danger and ongoing threats to safety and security. MSF acknowledges that it is impossible to exclude all risks, but it does its utmost as an organization to mitigate and manage these risks through strict and comprehensive security protocols.
International staff will be fully informed of the risk associated with a potential assignment before accepting a particular posting. Working for MSF is a deeply personal choice; individuals must determine for themselves the level of risk and the circumstances in which they feel comfortable, based on a full and transparent understanding of the possibilities they may face. Once in the assignment, all MSF staff must strictly observe security rules and regulations; failure to do so may result in dismissal.
Terms of Employment
MSF staff are employees with a salary and benefits.
MSF encourages the completion of multiple assignments. There are many possibilities for professional growth within the organization in the medical, non-medical, and coordination streams.
Final Thoughts
As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, is it essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.
Despite such challenges, thousands of people have worked with MSF over the years and found their experiences in the field to be deeply rewarding, even life-changing. More than anything else, being an MSF international worker means acting in solidarity with people facing unimaginable medical challenges. Your presence alongside people in times of need sends a profoundly meaningful and human message: “You are not forgotten.”
MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws. We also provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.
If you have a disability and require accommodations to use our website for applying for a position, please get in touch with Human Resources at employment.msfusa@newyork.msf.org. We consider reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.
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