PROGRAM COORDINATOR - PNG Rapid Response Team Program
National Department of Health (University of Newcastle Consultant)
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📍 Location: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
📅 Full-time position | 12 month contract
🕔 Closing date: 10 May 2025
Main purpose of the role
The University of Newcastle's Field Epidemiology in Action (FEiA) team is seeking to engage a consultant Program Coordinator to lead the Rapid Response Team Program (RRT) in the National Department of Health (NDoH) in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The incumbent will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the RRT program, which aims to:
Establish sustainable, functional and effective rapid response teams in all provinces.
Enhance multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral communication and collaboration at national and provincial levels.
Institutionalise RRTs at the national and provincial levels with resources allocated to support effective operationalisation.
The RRT Program Coordinator will serve as the national RRT focal point and ensure the successful delivery of the RRT training program. The RRT Program Coordinator will work in close collaboration with the Provincial Health Authorities to strengthen RRT functions and effectiveness in all provinces.
This is a full-time position based in the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) office at the NDoH office in Waigani, Port Moresby. The successful applicant will be employed on a consultancy basis and will not be an employee of the University of Newcastle.
The initial contract will be for 12 months, with the possibility of extension. A three-month probation period will apply.
The renumeration will be commensurate with to a Level 14 in the PNG public service with additional allowances.
Duties and Responsibilities
Program Coordination & Implementation
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
Administrative & Logistical Support
Institutionalisation & Sustainability Support
Capacity Building & Continuous Improvement
*More details are available in the complete Job Description, on request
Management
This role will be under the direct supervision of the Director of the Health Security and Surveillance Branch (HSSB) at the NDoH and the University of Newcastle FEiA RRT technical advisor.
The incumbent will work alongside the One Health Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program Coordinator, the Intermediate FETP Program Coordinator and the Project Support Officer.
The incumbent will be expected to collaborate closely with the World Health Organization PNG, other relevant NDoH departments and other stakeholders, as required.
External responsibilities
Represent the RRT program at national and international meetings and conferences.
Work with the HSSB Director and respective FETP program coordinators to ensure visibility of FETP and RRT, both within PNG and across the region, through documentation of success stories and lessons from the field and contributing to social media networks.
Qualifications & experience
Essential criteria
Demonstrated strong leadership skills.
Experience responding to outbreaks of communicable diseases or other public health emergencies.
A minimum of 5 years’ experience in public health in PNG
Highly developed organisational skills including the ability to prioritise competing tasks and manage time effectively.
Strong interpersonal skills, including highly developed oral and written communications, and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously within a team and with external stakeholders.
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products, MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint, including strong electronic file management skills
Desirable criteria
a) Evidence of prior training in epidemiology (FETP, MPH or equivalent).
b) Experience in developing and delivering training within the health sector.
c) Experience with program monitoring and evaluation.
Applications close on 10 May 2025.
All applications must be submitted online. Applicants must briefly explain how they meet each selection criteria, in no more than 200 words for each criteria, and upload a CV.
A gmail account is required for online submission.
