Senior Technical Advisor – Cholera Surveillance, Preparedness and Response

Senior Technical Advisor – Cholera Surveillance, Preparedness and Response

POSITION DETAILS

Organisation: Avencion

Project: Strengthening Sub-national Collaborative Surveillance in Zambia

Duty Station: Lusaka, Zambia, with travel to project-supported provinces and districts

Position Type: Project-based technical advisory role

Reports To: Project Technical Director

Application Deadline: [Insert date]

ABOUT AVENCION

Avencion is a global organisation delivering projects in public health systems strengthening, digital health, data management, monitoring and evaluation, and implementation support to government health structures.

Through its three-year Strengthening Sub-national Collaborative Surveillance in Zambia Project, Avencion supports improved detection, notification and response to priority public health events, with a focus on cholera surveillance, diagnostic readiness and rapid response.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Avencion seeks an experienced Senior Technical Advisor – Cholera to provide strategic and practical technical leadership in cholera preparedness, surveillance and response.

The successful candidate will strengthen government surveillance and laboratory referral systems, improve outbreak response readiness, identify operational gaps and support government-led corrective actions. The role focuses on practical implementation, capacity strengthening and measurable improvements in public health systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will:

1. Cholera Surveillance and Early Detection

• Strengthen community- and facility-based cholera surveillance, including early detection, reporting, verification and notification.
• Support implementation of IDSR and the 7-1-7 approach.
• Improve integration of community structures, private facilities, schools and pharmacies into government surveillance systems.

2. Diagnostic Readiness and Laboratory Systems

• Strengthen implementation of the national cholera testing strategy, including RDT availability, stock management and quality assurance.
• Improve specimen collection, transportation, referral and timely communication of laboratory results.

3. Preparedness and Outbreak Response

• Strengthen district preparedness and rapid response team readiness.
• Provide technical guidance on case-area targeted interventions (CATI), simulation exercises and outbreak reviews.
• Support multisectoral coordination, including WASH, environmental health and risk communication.

4. Epidemiological Analysis and Surveillance Performance

• Analyse cholera surveillance data, identify hotspots and support evidence-based preparedness and response decisions.
• Strengthen the use of government surveillance platforms, including eIDSR.
• Monitor 7-1-7 performance and support data-driven improvements.

5. Government Support, Capacity Development and Reporting

• Provide technical mentorship to government personnel at community, facility, district and provincial levels through joint Technical Support and Supervision.
• Support surveillance assessments, corrective-action follow-up and capacity development.
• Work with the MEL team to monitor indicators and prepare technical briefs, progress reports and recommendations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Applicants should possess:

• An advanced degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, Infectious Diseases or a related health discipline.
• At least five years of relevant public health experience, including substantial experience in cholera preparedness, surveillance, investigation or response.
• Demonstrated cholera outbreak preparedness and response experience in Zambia or comparable African settings.
• Strong knowledge of cholera epidemiology, IDSR, 7-1-7, diagnostic strategies, laboratory referral systems, RRT preparedness and CATI.
• Experience working with national and sub-national government health structures.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, coordination and mentoring skills.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) or equivalent applied epidemiology training.
• Experience supporting donor-funded public health programmes.
• Experience in operational research, implementation learning and continuous quality improvement.
• Familiarity with cross-border surveillance and high-risk community cholera challenges.

EXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

The successful candidate will contribute to:

• Improved cholera surveillance and early warning at district, facility and community levels.
• Stronger diagnostic readiness and reduced specimen referral delays.
• Improved outbreak response readiness and timely CATI implementation.
• Stronger government-led supervision and corrective-action management.
• Evidence and recommendations supporting sustainable cholera preparedness and response.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should complete the online application form and submit:

1. An updated CV highlighting relevant cholera surveillance and outbreak response experience.
2. A brief cover letter.
3. Contact details for three professional referees.

Fill in the application form on this link: https://forms.gle/v5Q9ViYDBNhwvbRy9

Email Subject: Application – Senior Technical Advisor, Cholera

Closing Date: 16th November 2026

Avencion is an equal opportunity employer. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.