Technical Advisor I-Surveillance

Job Summary
JOB DESCRIPTION
Through the anticipated CDC-PEPFAR health systems strengthening project, you will deliver expert guidance and hands-on support to government ministries, departments, and agencies to strengthen health systems through provision of technical advisory on Surveillance. This includes facilitating and coaching facility-based quality improvement teams, driving rapid learning cycles, supporting the development and implementation of effective measurement strategies and change packages, and fostering collaborative learning environments that advance high-quality health outcomes within Nigeria’s health sector.
Roles And Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and expert advisory support for surveillance systems. Guide and advise on the development and implementation of national surveillance strategies, guidelines, and SOPs, ensuring these align with global standards and national priorities for disease detection and reporting.
• Provide advisory support to design and improve surveillance platforms and workflows. Recommend user-friendly, scalable solutions tailored to local needs. Advise on integrating EMRs, lab data, and other sources, ensuring interoperability and data security. Guide best practices for real-time data capture and reporting to enhance surveillance capacity.
• Strengthen Event-Based and Case-Based Surveillance. Support implementation of systems for real-time reporting of cases and events, including HIV/TB case surveillance. Develop workflows for timely notification, investigation, and response.
• Build Capacity for Surveillance at All Levels. Develop and deliver training for health workers, surveillance officers, and data managers on case reporting, outbreak detection, and response protocols. Provide mentorship and supportive supervision to ensure sustainability.
• Ensure Data Quality and Timeliness. Establish mechanisms for data validation, completeness checks, and routine audits. Promote timely reporting and integration of surveillance data into dashboards for rapid decision-making.
• Coordinate Stakeholders and Harmonize Surveillance Efforts. Engage with government, donors, and implementing partners to align surveillance indicators, reporting timelines, and data systems. Represent surveillance priorities in technical working groups and national forums.
• Monitor and Evaluate Surveillance System Performance. Track progress of surveillance strengthening activities against work plans and indicators. Document lessons learned, best practices, and innovations for scale-up and continuous improvement.
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in surveillance. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure a proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in project design and proposal development. Experience in writing content for proposals.
• Knowledge of capacity-strengthening best practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based civil society partners. Understanding partnership principles.
• Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Good technical writing skills
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Informatics, Biostatistics, or related health data sciences is an advantage.
  

Travel : Must be willing and able to travel up to 50 %.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Key Working Relationships
Internal: Project Team and other CRS staff
External: Donor, partners and Government of Nigeria
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Informatics, Biostatistics, or related field or related health data sciences required.
• Minimum of eight to ten (8-10) relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based experience in Surveillance.
• Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in HIV/AIDS programming and surveillance. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
  

Agency Competencies (for All CRS Staff)

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
  

Agency Leadership Competencies

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strateg y and team priorities.
  

What We Offer
CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
About Us
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.
CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.
CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
About The Team
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements. All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.
<