Overview
The Prevention Advisor will support the implementation of prevention-focused technical assistance under the U.S. Department of State funded Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project. This work contributes directly to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and national efforts to strengthen Health Regulation capacities. The Prevention Advisor will lead and coordinate interventions in Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Points of Entry (POE), and other prevention-related technical areas. The role will support national authorities including the Ministry of Health and multisectoral One Health partners to strengthen systems for early preparedness, detection, and response to priority infectious diseases and to improve national Joint External Evaluation (JEE) indicators.
Position Summary
Based in Bujumbura with travel to other regions, the Prevention Advisor will work closely with government counterparts, national and subnational health actors, international partners, and project staff to implement prevention strategies outlined in the approved workplan. The role involves providing technical leadership, capacity building, and coordination to advance national priorities in RCCE, IPC, POE, and other prevention domains.
Responsibilities
Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE)
- Provide technical assistance to strengthen national and subnational RCCE systems aligned with health regulations, JEE, and GHSA guidance.
- Support the development, revision, and dissemination of RCCE strategies, SOPs, operational plans, and communication guidelines for priority diseases.
- Coordinate and facilitate community engagement activities, including rumor tracking, infodemic management, public communication, and community feedback mechanisms.
- Assist in designing and implementing RCCE training, simulation exercises, and capacity-building programs for government and community partners.
- Support the development of RCCE communication materials, messaging, media engagement tools, and response communication protocols.
- Document challenges, lessons learned, success stories, and best practices for program improvement and accountability.
Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)
- Provide technical guidance to improve IPC programs at facility, district, and national levels.
- Support national stakeholders in updating IPC policies, guidelines, and facility-level SOPs for priority pathogens.
- Conduct IPC assessments, mentorship, supportive supervision, and follow-up at health facilities.
- Strengthen surveillance of healthcare-associated infections and support quality improvement initiatives.
- Oversee IPC surveillance activities to detect and prevent healthcare-associated infections
- Investigate infection outbreaks, identify sources, and activate containment measures.
- Offer technical supervision in key areas such as water/sanitation, waste management, vector control, and sterilization processes.
Points of Entry (POE)
- Assess capacities and coordinate with national systems to align with health surveillance and emergency preparedness.
- Support the enhancement of POE surveillance, screening procedures, and public health protocols in alignment with IHR requirements.
- Assist national authorities with developing or strengthening POE SOPs, emergency response plans, and cross-border coordination systems.
- Support training and capacity building for border officials, port health teams, and multisectoral stakeholders.
- Contribute to simulation exercises and after-action reviews focusing on POE public health functions.
- Ensure PoEs (airports, seaports, land crossings) maintain robust core capabilities for detection, screening, and response to public health threats, as mandated by IHR 2005.
- Coordinate with multiple sectors (e.g., border control, transport, veterinary services, customs) to harmonize health measures at PoEs.
General Prevention & Health Security Functions
- Contribute to implementing activities designed to improve JEE scores and National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) outcomes.
- Lead prevention programs spanning AMR control, biosafety/biosecurity, and zoonotic disease management under GHSA.
- Support multisectoral One Health coordination and prevention initiatives across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
- Assist in developing and updating a compendium of prevention-related tools, guidelines, and job aids.
- Support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of prevention-related interventions.
- Provide administrative, logistic, and technical support as needed for project operations.
- Contribute to annual work planning, budgeting, and donor reporting processes.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
- Masterโs degree in public health, Health Promotion, Epidemiology, Nursing, Environmental Health, or a related field; or bachelorโs degree with additional experience.
- At least 8โ10 years of experience in RCCE, IPC, POE, outbreak prevention, or public health emergency preparedness and response.
- Demonstrated experience with:
- RCCE program management, communication strategy development, SBC, or community engagement methodologies.
- Facility-based or national IPC programs, including training, supervision, SOP development, and assessments.
- Implementation of POE public health protocols, border health systems, or IHR core capacities.
- Proven understanding of JEE, NAPHS, GHSA frameworks, and One Health approaches.
- Experience supporting national public health systems, government stakeholders, or emergency response structures.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and coordination skills.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality capacity-building activities and develop technical tools or guidelines.
- Excellent analytical, writing, and documentation skills.
- Fluency in French and English required; knowledge of Kirundi is an asset.
- Must be legally authorized to work in Burundi.
Supervision Given/Received
Supervisory responsibilities may be assigned. The position reports to the Technical Director.
Travel Requirements
Minimum 25% in-country travel.
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicantsโ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicantโs tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.
FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.
FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others โ and yourself.Please click here to continue searching FHI 360's Career Portal.