Background:

The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is a non-profit organization established in 2005 with a mission to improve human health through the strengthening and expansion of applied epidemiology and laboratory capacity in partnership with Ministries of Health, Non-Governmental
Organizations, international agencies, private sector and other public health agencies. AFENET has its headquarters in Kampala, Uganda with operations in more than 30 African Countries.

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO)declared the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic an emergency of public health of international interest and on 11 March, announced it as the first pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). With this new pandemic,
the amount of information on COVID-19, both accurate and inaccurate, increased significantly which was then defined by WHO as an ‘infodemic’. During an infodemics, people are overwhelmed by the amount of circulating information which can hamper their ability to follow public health guidance, both impacting the public health response and creating confusion which could ultimately impact trust in health authorities and governments.

Just prior to the pandemic in 2019, WHO named ‘vaccine hesitancy’ among the top 10 threats to global health, citing its potential to undermine global efforts to eradicate polio, eliminate measles and contain cervical cancer. Vaccine confidence and demand issues are key drivers of under-vaccination. Mis- and disinformation about vaccines is as old as vaccination itself. However, information voids present an ever-evolving challenge, along with the inability for health systems to swiftly fill these voids with accurate, credible information quickly to reduce the spread of mis-and disinformation among people who are vulnerable to it.

AFENET seeks a candidate to serve as the Infodemics Management Consultant for the Project in Ghana.

Major Responsibilities:

• Connect infodemics management and social listening goals and objectives to overarching program goals and strategies
• Establish systems and methods for detecting key topics and narrative information deficits and open questions, and mis/disinformation in offline and online populations, across multiple data sources and types
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to contribute to an integrated analysis, develop interventions, evidence-informed recommendations, communications, and research to understand behaviors
• Serve as main coordinator for infodemic management team for Ghana health services, FDA, and other global partners
• Apply risk communication principles, behavioral science theories and model, and people-centered approaches to the development of health communications campaign for multiple audiences
• Provide technical support for partners within government and across other organizations and provide surge support during a crisis or emergency
• Work within program and policy to offer realistic short-term and long-term recommendations or opportunities for action that strengthen health programs and systems
• Establish and strengthen relationships with other professionals working infodemic management to leverage expertise and expand the science of infodemic management
• Contribute to the development and delivery of regular (i.e., monthly, bi-weekly) report that outlines key topics and narrative information, deficits, and mis/disinformation from the population across multiple data sources and types

Qualification Required & Experience

• A Master’s degree in Public Health or an FETP equivalent.

Desired qualifications and experience:

• Previous experience working with behavioral data
• Previous experience working with the Ministry of Health and international partners and donors
• Post-graduate training or work experience
• Navigating scientific and organizational clearance
• Presenting and explaining results of research or evaluation and proposed interventions or public health actions
• Establishing SMART goals and objectives and systems for process and quality improvement.
• Working across government and non-governmental organizations, especially across different levels from local to national
• Identifying and analyzing target audiences for interventions
• Analyzing quantitative and qualitative data

Remuneration

Competitive based on qualification and experience.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Submit your Curriculum Vitae, application letter, and relevant documentation to:

All interested candidates are encouraged to send their Application Letters detailing their experiences and skills, Curriculum Vitae, copies of relevant academic documents plus Certificates together with complete contact details of three professional references to:

• The Administration & Human Resource Office
• African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)

a copy on Email: sec@afenet.net

ONLY successful candidates shall be contacted for an interview.

Please note that all applications should be sent online by close of business 5:30 pm (EAT)

Closing Date: 27 January, 2023