TECHNICAL OFFICER (SURVEILLANCE)
National Department of Health (University of Newcastle Consultant)
To apply, please complete the online application form by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button. A Gmail account is required to submit your application. If you don’t have one, you can create a free Gmail account here.
📍 Location: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
📅 Full-time position | 2-year contract
🕔 Closing date: 18 July 2025
Main purpose of the role
The Field Epidemiology in Action team of the University of Newcastle (UoN), in conjunction with the PNG National Department of Health (NDoH), is seeking a skilled and experienced Technical Officer to support the Health Security and Surveillance Branch (HSSB) of the NDoH in its disease surveillance programs.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful applicant will provide support to the HSSB Manager on the overall data management, analysis and reporting of Syndromic Surveillance, Indicator Base Surveillance and Event Base Surveillance. They will co-ordinate investigation and verification of reported events including outbreaks and conduct Risk Assessments using the WHO Risk Assessment framework.
Other duties include:
Develop information collection, reporting and monitoring tools
Compile disease surveillance reports, including regular feedback reports
Support the HSSB Manager in preparedness and response to disease outbreaks and disasters
Co-ordinate sample collection and shipment of samples to labs
Support HSSB Manager in the operations of Technical Working Groups, Rapid Response Teams and other established health agencies
Support capacity building to Provinces and Districts, as well as other non-government health service providers
Provide other administrative and technical support, as required
Management
The position is full-time and is based in the NDoH building in Waigani, Port Moresby. The successful candidate will be employed as a consultant with UoN, until such time as the position is established within the NDoH structure. It is expected that the successful candidate will then transition into the NDoH position within 2 years.
The salary for this position ranges from K6,000 to K9,000 per month, commensurate with the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
Applicants must already have work rights in PNG to be considered.
Qualifications & experience
Essential criteria
Masters or Diploma in Public Health, or equivalent tertiary qualifications
Five or more years of experience in the PNG public health system
Extensive experience in data management and analysis, working with databases, strengthening data feedback loops
Skills and experience in data analysis; and in designing and conducting public health research
Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to compile detailed reports on a regular basis
High levels of computer literacy, including extensive knowledge of MS Office products
Desirable criteria
a) Formal training in epidemiology, preferably field epidemiology
b) Experience in financial management
If you have specific questions about this position, please contact us at info@fieldepiinaction.com
Applications close on 18 July 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.
