Purpose of Job
The Regional Coordinator – Technical Programs serves as a senior technical authority, overseeing the coordination and leadership of Africa CDC’s essential technical programs and initiatives across the Regional Coordinating Centre. This role delivers advanced technical guidance, facilitates the unified execution of Africa CDC strategies across Member States, and ensures seamless integration of surveillance, laboratory, preparedness and response efforts, as well as workforce development initiatives at the regional level.
The role will involve assisting in the establishment and integration of the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda (AHS) pillars—particularly digital health, Public Financial Management, and Supply Chain/African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (PPM)—across Member States within the Regional Coordination Centre (RCC).
The role reports directly to the RCC Leadership and collaborates closely with technical divisions at Africa CDC Headquarters.
Oversee a range of critical duties including leading cross-functional teams to ensure seamless project execution, developing and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, and maintaining rigorous compliance with industry regulations and organizational policies. Collaborate with senior leadership to align departmental objectives with broader company goals, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Monitor key performance indicators to identify trends, mitigate risks, and drive data-informed decision-making. Additionally, serve as the primary liaison between departments, resolving conflicts and streamlining communication to optimize workflow and productivity.
The Regional Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing and implementing regional initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. This role requires strong leadership and project management skills to coordinate teams across multiple locations, facilitate communication, and monitor progress toward established goals. The Coordinator will analyze performance metrics, identify opportunities for improvement, and collaborate with stakeholders to drive operational efficiency. Additionally, they will oversee budget adherence, report on regional outcomes, and maintain compliance with company policies and industry regulations. Ideal candidates must possess exceptional organizational abilities, a proven track record in team leadership, and the capacity to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.
Providing expert technical leadership and strategic direction, this role involves overseeing complex technical initiatives, aligning engineering efforts with overarching business objectives, and ensuring the delivery of innovative, scalable solutions. Responsibilities include mentoring engineering teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and driving long-term technical vision to maintain competitive advantage. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in technical leadership, a proven track record in strategic planning, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders to execute high-impact projects.
Transform Africa CDC’s continental strategies, frameworks, and guidelines into actionable regional technical implementation plans and standard operating procedures.
Deliver specialized technical guidance to RCC leadership and Member States regarding surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency preparedness and response, antimicrobial resistance, and priority disease control.
Perform comprehensive technical evaluations, including situation analyses, risk assessments, and gap analyses, to guide regional strategic priorities and investment decisions.
As a professional responsible for surveillance, laboratory operations, and information systems, you will oversee the integrity and efficiency of these critical functions. Your role includes ensuring accurate data collection, maintaining secure systems, and supporting regulatory compliance. Additionally, you will manage laboratory processes, analyze results, and report findings to stakeholders. Proficiency in relevant software, adherence to safety protocols, and strong analytical skills are essential for success in this position.
Oversee the design, execution, and enhancement of integrated disease surveillance and response (IDs) systems and event-based surveillance initiatives across the region.
To enhance the operational effectiveness and performance of regional laboratory networks, reference laboratories, and quality management systems, support must be provided for their establishment and ongoing improvement.
Leverage digital health solutions, data integration platforms, and interoperability frameworks to enable seamless real-time data collection, analysis, and visualization.
Ensure the consistent generation and distribution of accurate and insightful epidemiological reports, bulletins, and risk assessments.
The role involves developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to ensure readiness and effective response to emergencies, ensuring the safety and continuity of operations in critical situations. Responsibilities include creating emergency plans, conducting risk assessments, coordinating with relevant agencies, and providing training to staff on emergency procedures. Additionally, the position requires monitoring and evaluating emergency response activities to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Strong analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure are essential for success in this role. Candidates must have prior experience in emergency management or a related field, along with proficiency in emergency planning software and tools.
Facilitate the creation, evaluation, and refinement of regional and national multihazard emergency preparedness and response plans, ensuring compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005) and Africa CDC guidelines.
Coordinate the technical components of regional emergency operations, encompassing risk evaluation, incident response, surge deployment, on-site investigations, and post-incident reviews.
Assist in sustaining the operational readiness and preparedness of regional rapid response teams and the public health emergency workforce.
Oversee a comprehensive regional outbreak readiness dashboard that tracks surveillance signals, laboratory capacity, workforce availability, emergency operations’ capacity, stockpiles, and surge readiness metrics.
Provide timely assistance to the RCC technical support team during outbreaks and public health emergencies to ensure swift activation and response.
Collaborate with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RCS), National Public Health Institutes (APHIS), and key partners to synchronize cross-border preparedness and response initiatives.
Facilitate after-action reviews, conduct intra-action reviews, coordinate simulation exercises, and execute corrective action plans.
Maintain a regional outbreak readiness dashboard that tracks surveillance signals, laboratory capacity, workforce availability, emergency operations’ capacity, stockpiles, and surge readiness.
Provide timely assistance to RCC technical support teams during outbreaks and public health emergencies to ensure swift activation and response.
Collaborate with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RCS), National Public Health Institutes (APHIS), and other key partners to synchronize cross-border preparedness and response initiatives.
Facilitate post-incident evaluations, ongoing operational assessments, simulated training drills, and the execution of remedial action strategies.
Our organization is committed to enhancing organizational effectiveness and staff capabilities through strategic capacity building and workforce development initiatives. This role involves designing, implementing, and overseeing programs that strengthen professional skills, foster leadership growth, and promote continuous learning within our team. Key responsibilities include identifying skill gaps, developing tailored training solutions, and measuring program impact to ensure sustainable development. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management abilities, expertise in adult learning methodologies, and a passion for driving organizational change through talent development.
We are seeking an experienced professional to oversee the technical design and execution of regional training initiatives, encompassing Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FTP), laboratory training, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and emergency management.
Facilitate the institutionalization of continuous professional development and competency-based training for Member States in alignment with Africa CDC frameworks.
Facilitate technical mentorship initiatives, twinning partnerships, and South-South collaboration among national public health institutes (APHIS) and laboratories to strengthen institutional capacities and enhance knowledge exchange.
Program Management, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and Quality Assurance roles encompass coordinating, overseeing, and ensuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of projects, programs, or organizational initiatives. These positions involve developing, implementing, and maintaining robust systems to track progress, measure outcomes, and uphold standards of excellence. Responsibilities typically include designing and executing M&E frameworks, conducting regular assessments, identifying gaps, and recommending corrective actions to enhance performance and accountability. Additionally, professionals in these roles ensure compliance with established protocols, foster continuous improvement, and provide data-driven insights to support informed decision-making and strategic planning.
Oversee the technical planning, implementation, and results-based management of RCC programs, ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks are in place to track progress and outcomes effectively.
Establish and implement technical standards, performance benchmarks, and monitoring dashboards while overseeing rigorous quality assurance protocols for every technical deliverable generated by the RCC.
Prepare technical reports, donor reports, and documentation detailing best practices and lessons learned.
The role involves overseeing technical collaboration and fostering strategic alliances to enhance project outcomes and operational efficiency. Responsibilities include facilitating communication between technical teams, aligning partnerships with organizational goals, and ensuring seamless integration of shared resources. Candidates must possess strong interpersonal skills, a proven track record in managing cross-functional relationships, and the ability to drive consensus among diverse stakeholders. Additionally, familiarity with technical frameworks, contract negotiations, and performance metrics is essential to successfully execute these responsibilities.
Acting as the primary technical liaison, you will engage with National Public Health Institutes, Ministries of Health, Regional Economic Communities, the World Health Organization, United Nations agencies, academic institutions, and implementing partners to advance the RCC’s objectives.
Coordinate regional technical working groups and communities of practice focused on surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency preparedness, and other key thematic domains.
Offer expert technical perspectives to regional policy discussions, frameworks, and guideline development processes led by Africa CDC, the African Union, or collaborating partners.
Resource mobilization and innovation play a pivotal role in advancing technical initiatives, necessitating expertise in securing, allocating, and optimally utilizing resources to drive progress. This position requires a deep understanding of strategic funding mechanisms, technical feasibility assessments, and cross-functional collaboration to foster innovative solutions. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in securing grants, managing budgets, and implementing cutting-edge technologies, ensuring sustainable development and impactful outcomes. Responsibilities include identifying funding opportunities, developing high-impact proposals, overseeing resource distribution, and monitoring project milestones to ensure alignment with organizational objectives. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in technical tools, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes are essential for success in this role.
Craft technical components for concept notes, project proposals, and investment cases aimed at enhancing regional public health systems.
Foster the discovery and advancement of cutting-edge tools, technologies, and methodologies that enhance surveillance, diagnostics, data utilization, and emergency response capabilities.
Deliver assistance to country pillar leads in executing their responsibilities and achieving organizational objectives.
Execute any additional tasks as assigned by RCC Leadership when necessary.
Digital Health and Innovation encompasses the development, implementation, and optimization of technological solutions to enhance healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency. This field integrates cutting-edge advancements such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, wearable devices, and data analytics to transform traditional healthcare models. Professionals in this domain design, deploy, and manage digital tools that streamline clinical workflows, improve diagnostic accuracy, and facilitate remote patient monitoring. A strong foundation in healthcare systems, combined with expertise in software engineering, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance, is essential for driving innovation and ensuring the secure integration of digital health technologies.
Serve as the primary regional liaison for the Africa CDC Digital Health and Innovation agenda within the RCC.
Assist Member States in developing, deploying, and expanding digital health initiatives focused on surveillance, laboratory systems, case management, community reporting, training, and tell-mentoring.
Facilitate seamless integration and compatibility of digital systems—including surveillance, laboratory, civil registration, and health management information systems—through the implementation of mutually agreed regional and continental standards.
Investigate, test, and assess cutting-edge digital solutions—such as mobile applications, geographic information systems, AI-driven analytics, remote sensing technologies, and online training platforms—to tackle critical public health issues.
Develop regional capabilities in digital health—including data science, epidemiological modeling, GIS, and digital platforms—through partnerships with National Public Health Institutes (APHIS), academic institutions, and Africa CDC headquarters.
Facilitate the organization and operation of regional communities dedicated to digital health, fostering peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and the dissemination of effective strategies.
Collaborate on the formulation and execution of regional digital health strategies, frameworks, and investment plans, ensuring alignment with African Union (AU) and other international digital health initiatives.
Promote the responsible and ethical deployment of digital technologies by prioritizing data protection, fostering equity, ensuring accessibility, and addressing gender considerations.
Handle any additional tasks assigned by RCC Leadership as needed.
Candidates should meet specific academic qualifications and possess relevant professional experience to be considered for this position.
A Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Sciences, Health Security, Pharmacy, or a closely related discipline is required, along with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in public health practice. This experience should include a strong focus on infectious disease epidemiology, monitoring, and surveillance, with at least six years dedicated to expert-level contributions and three years in a supervisory capacity.
Or
A master’s-level qualification in Public Health, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Sciences, Health Security, Pharmacy, M.D., or an allied discipline is required, complemented by a minimum of twelve years of hands-on experience in public health practice, with a particular focus on infectious disease epidemiology, monitoring, and surveillance. Of this experience, at least six years must have been dedicated to serving in an expert capacity, and a minimum of three years should include responsibilities in a supervisory position.
Accomplished in directing and administering intricate initiatives spanning diverse geographic regions and industries.
Exceptional ability to cultivate partnerships and collaborate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders is required.
Demonstrated practical application of experience in:
Conducting outbreak investigations and responding to public health emergencies, as well as managing emergency operations, are key responsibilities.
Design and development of surveillance systems, incorporating both indicator-based and event-driven methodologies.
Enhancing the infrastructure of public health and laboratory systems within low- and middle-income countries.
Professionals should possess prior collaboration with National Public Health Institutes (APHIS), Ministries of Health, or regional and international public health organizations, including entities such as Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Regional Economic Communities (RCS).
Requires expertise in designing programs, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and the development of technical guidelines and tools.
Hold prior experience in supervising or leading technical or public health initiatives.
Proficient candidates must possess strong analytical capabilities, exceptional communication skills, and a keen attention to detail. Proficiency in relevant software applications and tools is essential, along with the ability to collaborate effectively in team-oriented settings. Prior experience in a similar role is highly desirable, as is the capacity to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy and efficiency. A commitment to continuous learning and adaptability to evolving industry trends is also required.
Demonstrates proficiency in core competencies and essential skills required for the role, including strong analytical abilities, problem-solving expertise, and effective communication skills. Exhibits adaptability in dynamic environments, with a proven track record of delivering results under pressure. Maintains a keen attention to detail while managing multiple priorities efficiently. Possesses solid technical knowledge relevant to the position, complemented by a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Collaborates seamlessly with cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of teamwork and mutual support.
Proven proficiency in epidemiology, infectious disease control, health security, and/or laboratory systems is essential.
Proven expertise in Africa’s public health framework, encompassing the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, the Global Health Security Agenda (HSA), One Health principles, and regional disease surveillance networks.
Demonstrated proficiency in analyzing and applying epidemiological and laboratory data to inform strategic decisions.
Demonstrated proficiency in planning, organization, and project management, with a proven capacity to oversee multiple technical workstreams simultaneously.
Proficient in both written and verbal communication, capable of developing comprehensive technical reports, clear operational guidelines, and compelling scientific presentations.
Proven capability to collaborate seamlessly within diverse, multicultural, and multidisciplinary teams, particularly in challenging emergency environments.
Proven track record in overseeing programs involving diverse stakeholders and international collaborations across multiple countries.
Proven ability to engage diplomatically with stakeholders and decision-makers across technical and professional environments, coupled with strong interpersonal and communication skills honed through experience.
Proven expertise in project planning and management, with a comprehensive ability to organize, strategize, and execute projects seamlessly from initial conception to full implementation.
Proficient in converting complex technical data into concise presentations, briefings, reports, and funding proposals tailored for both specialized and general audiences.
Proficient in a range of computer applications, with strong word-processing skills alongside expertise in email and internet tools. Demonstrated ability in utilizing office software suites, including MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Applicants are required to demonstrate fluency in at least one of the working languages of the African Union, including Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Swahili. Proficiency in one or more additional AU working languages is considered an asset.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
10 years
