Description

The Senior Epidemiologist is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data to guide evidence-based strategies for viral hepatitis and HIV elimination. The Senior Epidemiologist leads production of high-level technical reports and operational research aimed at promoting expanded access to HIV and viral hepatitis prevention, testing, and clinical care. A central component of this role is the cultivation and management of strategic partnerships with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs), other national stakeholders and international health agencies to guide national and global elimination priorities.

The Task Force for Global Health, based in Atlanta and founded nearly 40 years ago to advance health equity, works with partners in more than 150 countries to eliminate diseases, ensure access to vaccines and essential medicines, and strengthen health systems to protect populations. Expertise includes neglected tropical diseases and other infectious diseases; vaccine safety, distribution and access; and health systems strengthening. For more information, visit www.taskforce.org.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are infections for about 290 million persons globally and the cause of 1.3 million deaths per year and over two million new HBV or HCV infections each year. Because hepatitis B vaccination, curative therapy for hepatitis C and other interventions can effectively prevent viral hepatitis transmission and mortality, the 2016 World Health Assembly endorsed goals for hepatitis elimination, including a 65% reduction in deaths and 90% reduction in new infections by 2030. Reaching goals for HBV and HCV elimination requires scaling up access to hepatitis prevention, testing and care.

HBV and HCV have common transmission modes with HIV. As a result, about 12% of the 40 million persons with HIV are co-infected with HBV and HCV. WHO has set goals for HIV elimination including a 90% reduction in new infections by 2030. Tracking progress toward goals to HIV eliminate HIV transmission reveal opportunities for the integration of HIV and hepatitis prevention and care services. In 2019, to help countries build effective programs and accelerate progress toward hepatitis elimination, The Task Force for Global Health launched the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE). CGHE, www.globalhep.org is elevating the efforts of national and sub-national hepatitis elimination programs through advocacy, technical assistance, research, knowledge generation and dissemination among partners united in a community of practice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data to guide evidence-based strategies for viral hepatitis and HIV elimination.
• Leads production of high-level technical reports and operational research aimed at promoting expanded access to HIV and viral hepatitis prevention, testing, and clinical care.
• Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs), other national stakeholders and international health agencies to guide national and global elimination priorities.
• Provides technical expertise in scientific theory, research and methods of collection, study design and analysis of data sets for a broad range research initiatives and projects within the Task Force for Global Health (TFGH). Responsible for providing technical supervision and guidance to the various stakeholders.
• Collaborates with scientists on the development and implementation of research projects.
• Directs and manages the epidemiology/analytic/statistical activities for TFGH programs.
• Provides direction and guidance to the field epidemiologists and statistical consultants.
• Serves as the lead or technical resource on reviews of scientific issues, including data quality, surveillance systems evaluations, and training needs.
• Participates in the updating and improvement of surveillance activities. Functions as a technical resource to sites to streamline data collection protocols to improve operational efficiency.
• Collaborates with Ministries of Health and Public Health Institutes to assist with understanding and use of data/findings.
• Collaborates with other global health organizations on modeling activities.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Technical Evidence Generation & Reporting:

• Synthesize complex epidemiological data into high-quality technical reports, policy briefs, and white papers to inform global elimination strategies.
• Lead the development and submission of peer-reviewed manuscripts, positioning the Coalition's findings within the broader global health scientific community.
• Translate evidence-based findings into actionable technical guidance for Ministries of Health (MoHs) and other national and global stakeholders to optimize global, regional and national elimination efforts.
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and evidence synthesis on emerging trends in HIV and viral hepatitis, including the impact of new diagnostics, preventive measures and therapeutics.

Operational Research Leadership:

• Lead the design and implementation of operational research studies focused on identifying and overcoming systemic barriers to HIV and hepatitis B and C testing, care, and treatment.
• Oversee study protocols and methodological frameworks for evaluating the effectiveness of diverse service delivery models, including decentralized and integrated care for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
• Coordinate research sub-awards and project timelines, ensuring that operational research conducted in partner countries meets high standards of scientific rigor and ethical compliance.
• Direct the evaluation of micro-elimination HIV and hepatitis B and C strategies for specific high-risk cohorts, utilizing data to refine intervention approaches.
• Lead development of scientific abstracts and publications.

Strategic Information:

• Lead strategic information (SI) initiatives, including the development of global dashboards and monitoring frameworks to track progress toward global HIV and hepatitis targets.
• Provide technical oversight for the analysis of national surveillance data, ensuring the integrity and quality of data used for national and global reporting.
• Standardize data collection methodologies across CGHE-supported projects to ensure comparability and scalability of results.
• Lead development of scientific abstracts and publications.

Global Partnerships & NPHI Engagement:

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs), and other national, regional and global stakeholders to facilitate data sharing and technical exchange.
• For assigned projects, serve as the technical liaison between CGHE and international agencies and organizations (e.g., CDC, WHO, Gavi) to align elimination goals and harmonize technical standards.
• Provide remote technical assistance to NPHIs, upon request
• Foster a global community of practice by facilitating technical working groups and webinars that promote knowledge-sharing between NPHIs in different regions.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate as a senior member of the Task Force for Global Health (TFGH), contributing expertise to cross-program initiatives and organizational strategic planning.
• Represent the Coalition at international conferences and technical summits to present data-driven arguments for hepatitis elimination.
• Provide technical guidance to junior epidemiologists, data analysts, and interns to support the Coalition's workforce development goals.
• Assist in developing annual work plans and grant proposals to secure funding for future research and technical initiatives.

TRAVEL:

Up to 10% national or international travel

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A doctoral degree in a field related to the area of research and five years of experience, OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• International travel is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience at national or international levels in infectious diseases
• Experience in managing HIV and viral hepatitis epidemiology and/or research studies
• Proven experience collaborating with NPHIs or government health agencies in LMIC contexts.
• Exceptional diplomatic skills for managing high-level international stakeholder relationships