Outbreak Readiness and Response Epidemiology Specialist

About

Samaritan's Purse seeks an Outbreak Readiness and Response Program Manager for its Projects department in Nairobi, Kenya. The role leads field epidemiology and outbreak investigations, strengthens surveillance and outbreak readiness, builds capacity, and coordinates preparedness and response actions. It requires relevant bachelor's and master's qualifications in epidemiology or public health and at least three years of applied field epidemiology and outbreak-response experience. Terms of service: Full-time Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya

How to apply

Apply online through the official advert page on Samaritan's Purse Careers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a personal, active relationship with Jesus Christ and is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ.
• Lead field epidemiology and outbreak investigations by verifying alerts, conducting on-site assessments, analyzing data, and delivering risk assessments and actionable recommendations.
• Ensure operational readiness in country offices and World Medical Mission facilities by identifying gaps in surveillance, staffing, and systems. Develop preparedness plans, tools, simulations, and after-action reviews.
• Strengthen event-based and indicator-based surveillance by establishing clear alert reporting, escalation, and verification processes and by improving data quality and timeliness in DHIS2.
• Build field-epidemiology capacity of staff, hospital focal points, and local partners through training and mentorship in surveillance, alert verification, outbreak investigation, data interpretation, and reporting.
• Coordinate with MOHs, health authorities, and response partners, and work with Clinical Lead and IPC Specialist to turn findings into coordinated preparedness and response actions.
• Align field workplans with the Kenya-based team and IHQ Program Manager, identifying the tools, data systems, and resources needed to strengthen outbreak readiness and response.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Relevant bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Epidemiology, Field Epidemiology, or Public Health; or an MPH with a strong epidemiology component.
• Minimum of three years' demonstrated applied experience in field epidemiology, outbreak investigation, surveillance, and public health emergency response.
• Experience with MOHs, DART, WHO Emergency Medical Teams, GOARN, or similar response mechanisms.
• Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) training or equivalent applied field epidemiology training.
• Knowledge of EWARs, DHIS2, and other similar public health information systems preferred.
• Twelve (12) credit hours of college-level Biblical Studies strongly preferred.