CONTEXT
Combating the several public health threats across the African continent requires adequately trained and equipped workforce. Africa’s New Public Health Order has called for self-sustaining health security program that includes workforce development. The call is in alignment with the vision of the African Union (AU) and its desire to build capacity in public health through medium- and long-term training in identified areas of need. The establishment of the six-month Africa CDC Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) fellowship provides a pathway for developing a cadre of skilled workforce that is capable of initiating and leading emergency management programs that include timely detection and response to emergencies whenever they occur.
African public health professionals who are working within government institutions are strongly encouraged to apply.
GOAL
To develop a cadre of African public health workforce who are highly skilled to coordinate and lead preparedness and response to public health emergencies in Africa.
- Provide fellows up-to-date knowledge regarding public health emergency management and Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs)
- Provide fellows in-depth exposure to the role of PHEOCs in preparing for and responding to various public health emergencies
- Building the skills of fellows in managing the various functions of PHEOC, and leading the response to public health emergencies
- Institutionalize a sustainable program for PHEM on the African continent
FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTION
Overview
The PHEM Fellowship will target mid-career African public health professional with experience managing PHEOCs or leading emergency preparedness and response programs drawn from African Union member states. The Fellows shall be taken through a standardized training, mentorship, hands on experience, and technical assistance program leveraging on the PHEM Fellowship design of the US-CDC. During the training, Fellows will receive specialized training in public health emergency management functions and
operations, participate in study tours, work within Africa CDC EOC, take part in public health exercises and responses and receive guidance from global specialists in emergency management. Upon completion and return to home countries, Fellows will be expected to facilitate the expansion of public health emergency management programs within their home countries and sufficiently capacitated to take up leadership and advisory roles in public health emergency management programs.
Fellowship Structure
The PHEM fellowship is a blended 6-month residential program, requiring full time commitment from selected Fellows. It will begin with fourteen weeks of in-person classes at the Africa CDC headquarters in Ethiopia. During this time, Fellows will be paired with seasoned mentors and coaches to enhance their learning journey. This will be followed by two weeks of study tours, allowing each Fellow to visit one PHEOC within Africa and one outside the continent.
Subsequently, Fellows will engage in a four-week field placement in PHEOCs and emergency response settings. The program culminates in a final four weeks dedicated to project completion, evaluations and graduation.
Target Audience
The fellowship is designed for mid-level public health professionals with experience in managing public health emergency operations centres or leading emergency preparedness and response programs in their countries.
Selection Criteria
- Selection shall be carried out by an independent committee comprising of experts from the African Union Commission and Africa CDC, and technical partners.
- Selection process will be merit-based, and emphasize an equal opportunity approach to ensure the representation of underrepresented groups.
Important Dates:
– Deadline for Applications: 15 September, 2024
– Successful applicants will be informed by October 2024
– The fellowship will start in November 2024
For more information, please download the brochures.
Download: African PHEM Fellowship Cohort II Announcement – Brochure (ENG)
Download: African PHEM Fellowship Cohort II Announcement – Brochure (FRE)