Emergency Preparedness & Response Lead, Global Health Security (GHS)

About EVIHDAF

EVIHDAF (www.evihdaf.com) is an international research and development organization headquartered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, which serves the West and Central Africa region. We have an office in Niamey, Niger, and a Data Unit satellite office in Parakou, Benin. Utilizing a diverse array of approaches rooted in rigorous design, adaptive, cutting-edge, and locally relevant methods, we provide services in Health Program Implementation and Scale-Up; Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (RMEL); Data Systems for Decision-Making; and Capacity Strengthening. We are positioned to serve as a Regional Hub for the coordination of various initiatives in West & Central Africa. Our practice areas include Health and Health Systems, Nutrition and Food Security, Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience, and Population Migration and Displacements.

Position Overview

EVIHDAF and its partners are looking for an experienced Emergency Preparedness and Response Lead in anticipation of a Global Health Security (GHS) project funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Lead provides senior-level technical leadership and strategic direction to strengthen national and sub-national capacities for public health emergency management. This role focuses on the establishment and optimization of Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) and Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), the development of robust Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), and the coordination of multi-sectoral Rapid Response Teams (RRTs). Reporting to the Project Director, the Lead ensures that all preparedness and response activities align with the America First Global Health Strategy, the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), and the new Bilateral Agreements on Global Health Cooperation. This position requires an exceptional ability to work under high pressure, maintain flexibility during active public health threats, and navigate complex multicultural governmental environments.

Specific Responsibilities

PHEM Strategy and EOC Governance

• Lead the design and implementation of the project’s emergency preparedness strategy, ensuring alignment with National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS) and the America First objective of protecting populations from infectious disease threats.
• Provide technical assistance to Ministries of Health (MoH) to establish, equip, and operationalize national and sub-national PHEM and EOCs, focusing on smart and strategic investments that avoid parallel systems.
• Support the adaptation and implementation of legal and policy frameworks supporting emergency response.
• Facilitate the implementation of the PHEOC “Incident Management System” (IMS) and ensure it is integrated into routine health system functions and funded by the host government.

Emergency Planning and Simulation Exercises

• Provide technical assistance to the development, testing, and refinement of All-Hazard Emergency Response Plans and hazard-specific contingency plans.
• Provide technical leadership for “After-Action Reviews” (AARs) and “7-1-7” metrics assessments following public health events to drive continuous system improvement.
• Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for emergency communication, resource mobilization, and logistics management, ensuring protocols support rapid decision-making.

Rapid Response and Field Coordination

• Coordinate with the Surveillance and Laboratory Leads to ensure that the EOC receives real-time data for situational awareness, specifically targeting the 1-day reporting benchmark.
• Contribute to the integration of One Health partners into the emergency response framework, ensuring coordinated action between human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
• Provide technical oversight for the management of emergency stockpiles while developing a plan to transition commodity procurement to the partner government over the life of the project.
• Support the engagement with faith-based organizations and the private sector to expand response reach and resources, reducing reliance on public sector facilities alone.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Collaboration

• Support the design and tracking of performance indicators related to emergency preparedness and response, specifically focusing on improvements in JEE scores, 7-1-7 metrics, and financial transition benchmarks.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports for the CDC regarding emergency management milestones, response effectiveness, and progress toward country ownership.

Key Experience and Qualifications

• Educational Background: Master’s Degree or higher in Public Health, Disaster Management, Emergency Management, or a related field. Professional certification in PHEM or IMS is highly desirable.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 10years of experience in managing or implementing public health emergency programs, with at least 5 years focused on EOC operations or rapid response coordination.
• Donor Expertise: Prior strong experience on U.S. Government (USG) funding projects is essential. Familiarity with CDC-funded PHEM initiatives, the America First Global Health Strategy, and Bilateral Agreements on Global Health Cooperation is highly desirable.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of IHR (2005) core capacities, the Incident Management System (IMS), CDC’s PHEM guidelines, and the 7-1-7 target.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in high-stakes environments; demonstrated flexibility during evolving public health crises.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English; fluency in French is highly desirable.
• Cultural Competence: Proven experience working in multicultural contexts and the ability to build trust with high-level government officials, security sector partners, and faith-based leaders.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel internationally and sub-nationally as required (up to 40%), including rapid deployment during emergencies.

How to apply?

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application package via email to Recruitment@evihdaf.com, with subject line “Emergency Preparedness & Response Lead – GHS”.

The application package must include:

1. A Cover Letter (maximum three pages) detailing the candidate’s relevant experience and suitability for the position.
2. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum of seven (7) pages), including the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional referees.

The position will remain open until it is filled.

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Other related vacancies can be accessed at https://www.evihdaf.com/job-openings/