Position Title: Epidemiologist
Open Period : 5 July 2023 - 4 August 2023
Background : The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia
(RIMES) is an international and intergovernmental institution, owned and managed by its Member States, for the generation and application of early warning information. RIMES evolved from the efforts of countries in Africa and Asia, in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, to establish a regional early warning system within a multi-hazard framework for the generation and communication of early warning information, and capacity building for preparedness and response to trans-boundary hazards. RIMES was established on 30 April 2009, and was registered with the United Nations on 1 July 2009. RIMES operates from its regional early warning center located at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani.
Position Description: The Epidemiologist will lead the development of public health models, health risk forecasts, and impact-based advisory products of RIMES’ components under the Global Climate Fund’s Enhancing Early Warning Systems to Build Greater Resilience to Hydro-meteorological Hazards in Timor-Leste Project.
Contract Type: Full-time, project-based contract
Duty station: RIMES, AIT Campus, Pathumthani, Thailand, with site visits in Timor Leste.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
• A Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Public Health, Biostatistics, or any related field, or Master's degree with at least ten (10) years of combined work experience in predictive modeling, data analysis, and/or remote sensing, including epidemiologic methods
Experience:
• At least seven (7) years of combined national and international experience in public health and epidemiological studies.
• At least five (5) years of work experience in public health forecast modeling, including programming, data analysis and/or remote sensing.
• Involved in at least three (3) projects with the national health agencies and/or international organizations in generating health risk forecasts and advisories based on location-specific health, weather, and climate information.
• Familiarity with the institutions/organizations as well as approaches and concepts in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), early warning, and climate change adaptation (CCA).
Skills and Abilities:
• High understanding of public health, epidemiologic methods, and epidemiologic studies
• Knowledge on infectious disease prevention and control.
• Expert in statistical computer software/models, including proficiency in impact-based forecasting, early warning, DRRM, and CCA.
• Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and planning skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and writing skills.
• Ability to work amicably in a multicultural and multidisciplinary work environment.
Language:
• Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written).
Personal qualities:
• Self-motivated, flexible, and able to work effectively and independently.
• Excellent work ethic and aptitude to work with a constructive attitude.
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Shows persistence when faced with difficulties or challenges.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
A. Lead the development of public health forecasting model, including but not limited to:
1. Conducting a comprehensive review of relevant literature on epidemiology of diseases of interest in Timor Leste, including incidence, prevalence, attributions to weather and climate, risk factors, and outcomes.
2. Collecting and analyzing public health data, including demographic, clinical, environmental, and hydrometeorological data for the modeling study.
3. Developing, testing, and refining public health forecasting models that result in the generation of at least the following:
a) UV radiation for UV exposure forecasts.
b) heat wave and cold spell indices indicating potential impacts on health.
c) atmospheric chemical observations to generate haze and air pollution advisories.
d) potential disease outbreaks/ hotspots, especially during the rainy season where incidence of dengue, malaria and water-borne diseases (e.g. diarrhea) could increase.
e) monitoring for other critical communicable diseases in Timor-Leste, such as tuberculosis (TB).
4. Integrating results of the forecasting models to the national forecasting center, decision support system (DSS), and a mobile application to facilitate early warnings, information dissemination, and decision-making on health promotion, disease prevention, and community health improvement.
B. Provide technical inputs and write-ups on the following activities:
1. Development of project concept notes, activity/training designs, progress reports, and other documents related to public health forecasting, early warning systems, and climate and disaster resilience.
2. Technical documentation of processes and approaches undertaken, including system documentation.
3. Customization of the Climate Risk Information System for Public Health (CRISH) decision support system that generates health risk forecasts which anticipates when and where changes in key parameters – such as humidity, temperature, particulate matter (PM) readings – may increase the likelihood of occurrence of health crises.
4. Formulation of forecasts and advisories to improve the safety and health of the community.
C. Engage with RIMES staff, technical experts, and project partners from the Ministry of Health, National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG) of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Climate and Health Working Group, and other relevant agencies and organizations in co-developing forecasts and early warning advisories, as well as in developing the CRISH DSS and the mobile application.
D. Act as resource speaker, facilitator, and/or mentor during capacity-building workshops in public health and epidemiology, public health forecast modeling, system and data analysis and management, and impact-based forecasting and early warning system.
E. Establish, maintain, and/or foster partnerships and contribute to the development and use of information databases, web-based platforms, and GIS tools that support the planning and design of DRRM, early warning, CCA programs, and projects; and
F. Provide any other relevant work necessary for the successful implementation and documentation of program/project-related activities as assigned by the RIMES Climate Risk Management Specialist.
Supervisor: Ms. Carlyne Yu, Head, Risk Knowledge Applications & Project Manager.
Contract Duration: 12 months, with possible extension on above satisfactory performance; Probationary period: 4 months.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should send your application letter, resume, salary expectation and 2 references in PDF format to rimeshra@rimes.int by midnight of 4 August 2023, Bangkok time. Please state “Epidemiologist:Your Name “ the Subject line of the email. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
Ms. Dusadee Padungkul
Head-Operational Support
Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System
AIT Campus, 58 Moo 9 Paholyothin Rd., Klong 1,
Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120 Thailand.
RIMES promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Well-qualified applicants particularly women are encouraged to apply.