Job Summary:
Position Title: Rapid Response Officer
Reports to: Associate Director, Technical, STRIDES Zambia
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in a long - lasting way by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing - creating a unique mix of capabilities to address todayโs interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries including Zambia and all U.S. states and territories. We currently seek qualified candidates to fill the position of Rapid Response Officer to be based in Lusaka.
Job Summary:
The Rapid Response Officer I will provide technical support and guidance and oversee the implementation of the STRengthening Infectious Disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) emergency response activities in Zambia, directing other professional staff and the rapid response teams as needs are identified in the region and in country office. S/He will supervise and engage with STRIDES technical staff and rapid response team members to ensure that the projectโs emergency response activities are aligned with approved workplans and that technical expertise informs project implementation. S/He will implement and monitor technical strengthening initiatives, develop a training strategy, facilitate training and other capacity building activities, and create scientific or other technical materials.ls. The Rapid Response Officer 1 will prepare deliverable reports to the donor highlighting achievements across STRIDES Objective 4/emergency response activities, including the drafting of publications and external communications. S/He leads the development/revision of best practice documents and may be required to coordinate and work with a diverse group of in-country organizations, including USG and host country government counterparts to respond to emergency outbreak response.
Accountabilities:
Technical Requirements:
- Oversees the day-to-day implementation of emergency preparedness and response activities with a complex scope that require evaluation of variable and rapidly evolving situations in Zambia and the local region.
- Demonstrates strong judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to respond to emerging infectious disease threats and verified outbreak events with little supervision.
- Networks with key internal and external STRIDES personnel; liaises with STRIDES Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to measure the Activityโs emerging response interventions against project-wide and emergency response-specific indicators.
- Provides input to STRIDES Senior Management Team on national guidelines and normative policies for emergency and outbreak response; coordinates with STRIDES and FHI 360โs communications team to highlight the Activityโs success stories and best practices specific to emergency response interventions
- Assists in providing technical support in the development and dissemination of tools, materials, reports, papers, and intervention for projects.
- Provides support to work planning and workplan preparation and finalization.
Project Design Implementation:
- Leads the creation of the emergency/outbreak response of STRIDES workplans within given resource and financial constraints.
- Work with STRIDES Senior Management Team (SMT) to respond to requests and inquiries from the United States Government (USG) regarding emergency outbreak response
- Coordinates with STRIDES technical and programmatic teams to ensure activities are implemented according to award requirements and consistent with FHI 360 policy and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Work with STRIDES finance and administrative teams to prepare local subcontracts and budgets as needs arise.
- Contributes to planning and making recommendations for STRIDES implementation.
- Influences design and scope of STRIDES initiatives and programs in the emergency/outbreak response technical focus area.
- Develops strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components.
- Ensures technical implementation is consistent with best practices in emergency response and meets donor contractual obligations including providing oversight and direction to other STRIDES team members.
- Coordinate with the Community team to support the RCCE activities.
- Coordinates with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field throughout implementation of emergency response activities in-country and/or regionally.
Project/Program Reporting:
- Supports preparation of reports to the donor (quarterly, semi-annual, and annual, etc) , highlighting achievements across STRIDES Objective 4/emergency response activities, including the drafting of publications and external communications.
- Gathers information, data and statistics needed to provide evidence to reports, presentations, papers, and other documentation produced.
- Assists with technical troubleshooting, guide data analysis and application of data.
- Participates in data review and support data for decision making.
- Ensures the documentation and reporting of appropriate services rendered to clients is done in the relevant service registers.
- Assists with compiling technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
- Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities through rapid development of emergency response workplans, plan for the successful implementation of activities, and monitor performance over the life of the response.
- In-depth functional knowledge of global health security (GHS) best practices, specifically related to emergency and outbreak response within the USG context, and maintain a detailed understanding of related interventions within FHI 360.
- General understanding of the external environment and how it affects emergency/outbreak preparedness and response across STRIDES, including political, legal, environmental, financial, and social influences.
- Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to exchange information, present recommendations and collaborate with STRIDES colleagues and peers and external partners.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
- Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.
Supervision Given/Received:
- Has no supervisory responsibility.
- Receives general instructions on routine work, detailed instructions on new assignments or projects.
- Typically reports to an Associate Director, Technical, STRIDES Zambia.
Education: ** **
- Bachelor's degree or its international equivalent in, Public Health, Emergency Management, Disaster Risk Reduction or related field.
Experience: ** **
- Typically requires 4+ years of relevant experience in emergency/rapid outbreak response Activity, with significant time spent in field-based roles
- Documented leadership implementing GHS-focused projects with an emphasis on emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.
- Proficient experience in current program developments in emergency/outbreak preparedness and response.
- Years of work experience that demonstrate sensitivity to understanding of the GHS space and emergency/outbreak preparedness and response best practices.
- Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization, U.S. government agency, or private organization.
- Prior experience implementing USG-funded contracts strongly preferred.
- Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private company.
Typical Physical Demands:
- Typical office environment.
- Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.
Technology to be Used:
- Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
Travel Requirements:
- Ability to travel 10% - 25%
The last day of receiving applications is 2 February 2026.
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.
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- Ability to travel 10% - 25%
- Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
- Bachelor's degree or its international equivalent in, Public Health, Emergency Management, Disaster Risk Reduction or related field.