Job Title:      Data Translational Officer

Reports to:   Director- Public Health Diplomacy, Policy and Communication

Location:       Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI)

Fixed-term Employment: Through August 31, 2026, with possibility of extension

The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) has the mandate to lead health security for the Republic of Zambia. Resolve to Save Lives, a US-based global public health organization, works closely with Ministries of Health and national public health institutes in Africa to strengthen epidemic preparedness capacity, accelerate disease detection and response, and use data effectively to inform action. ZNPHI is collaborating with Resolve to Save Lives on a new surveillance program to enhance disease and contextual/risk data through strengthened surveillance and innovations in epidemic intelligence, effective use of existing and emergent data throughout the event lifecycle, and development of data tools and products that support key decision-makers from communities, the health sector, and government bodies.

ZNPHI seeks to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced person to be appointed as Director, Strategic Planning and Information Management (SPIM) under this collaborative project.

Job Purpose: 

The Data Translational Officer will be responsible for synthesis of routine and new data, translation, and focused outward communication of information. This will broadly include such information as assessment of disease risks, community-based research, and communication of targeted messages to specific audiences including the public, policy makers and other stakeholders. It is a specialized position in data translation and communication and requires specific skills in Communication and Social and Behavioral Research.

Core Roles and Responsibilities: 

Effectively review trends in public health and their impact on the Nation’s socio-economic development and work with subject matter expertise to translate data findings into recommendations to the appropriate authority
Undertake development of policy briefs to guide national and regional health policy and public health security intervention programs
Support the implementation of mixed-methods social behavioral research before and during disease outbreaks to complement epidemiologic data to develop targeted community messaging and translate for outbreak preparedness and response operations
Work closely with teams under the Strategic Planning and Information Management Directorate to translate data findings to all levels using language that the decision-maker understands
Generate reports to inform policy and public health security intervention programs in order to inform decision making
Coordinate and manage communication for policy and program for Zambia National Public Health Institute in order to inform decision making on public health security matters
Lead initiatives of engagement with targeted stakeholders on relevant matters of public health concern
Lead development of relevant public infographics, flyers, brochures and other communication materials
Support content development for the Institutes website and other social media vehicles
Coordinate development and dissemination of information on public health for behavioral change and risk management in order to inform the general public on the various public health risks
Coordinate the development of internal and external communications strategies in order to affectively respond to public health threats
Track public engagement, reach and other methods of objective evaluation of social engagement of the Institute with key stakeholders
Apply current digital and social media tools to enhance the reach and effective communication of the Institute on relevant matters of public health security communications
Other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor

Qualifications & Experience: 

Full Grade 12 School Certificate with minimum five O level credits including English and Mathematics
Bachelors Degree in Public Health, Mass Communications, Health Promotions Emergency Preparedness and Response or related field
Masters Degree in Public Health, Health Promotions, Mass Communication or related field
Demonstrable experience in disease intelligence or public health intelligence is desirable
Experience in public, policy and public communication is an advantage
Experience developing data collection tools and protocols for social behavioural research (surveys, key informant interview or focus group discussion guides)
Ability to conduct simple descriptive analyses using MS Excel or a statistical analysis software (e.g. SPSS, Stata, SAS, R).
Experience conducting thematic coding of qualitative data and using qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Atlas.TI) is desirable but not required

Knowledge and Skills  

Excellent oral and written communication skills
Team player and ability to engage diverse communities
Excellent interpersonal and public relation skills
Capacity in decision-making and problem-solving