Technical Outreach Officer

Job Description

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Technical Outreach Officer

Department: Programs- EPiC Project – Sierra Leone

Based in: Freetown with regular travel to the project operational sites

Reports to: EpiC GHS Project Manager

Posted on: Thursday 16th April 2026

Who We Are

PSI is a network of locally rooted, globally connected organizations working to achieve consumer-powered healthcare — people-centered health systems that ensure quality, affordable care wherever and whenever it is needed. Our origins in sexual and reproductive health have grown into a broader mission. Today, we work with the public and private sectors as well as local communities, prioritizing people’s voice and choice and developing solutions to meet their essential health needs. Over the past five decades, we have helped push boundaries, break taboos, set trends, and develop innovative solutions to complex global health challenges.

Do you want to join PSI to help make it easier for all people to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire? Read on!

What are we looking for?

The candidate we hire will embody PSI’s corporate values:

Collaboration: You can work independently but thrive within a team.

Trust: You trust that your manager and team will have your back and care deeply about gaining that same trust from your teammates

Pragmatism: You dive in and maintain momentum even when things are ambiguous, and you do not let perfect get in the way of good enough.

Honesty: You are not afraid to speak up and speak your mind.

Measurement: You set clear and challenging goals and hold yourself accountable to driving measurable results.

Commitment: You are independent and a free thinker, but you’re ready to buy in the direction of the team and commit to its success.

Background:

The EpiC GHS Project supports the strengthening of Global Health Security systems in a post-mpox response context, aligned with the Department of States  priorities and national  country strategies. The project contributes to Global Health Security through interventions in outbreak detection and response, zoonotic disease surveillance, laboratory systems strengthening, and evidence-based public health messaging and community engagement (EMCE), using a One Health approach.

The project is designed to align with key global frameworks including the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), and national Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) systems.

Job Purpose

The Technical Outreach   Officer will provide technical and operational support for the effective implementation of project activities, ensuring compliance with donor regulations, performance monitoring requirements, and high-quality program delivery. The position will support coordination with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA), implementing partners, and communities to strengthen sustainable and integrated disease surveillance and response systems.

Key Responsibilities

Project Implementation and Coordination

• Support implementation of project activities in line with approved work plans, budgets, and donor guidelines.
• Assist in the development and tracking of annual work plans (AWPs) and activity-based budgets.
• Ensure effective coordination with Ministries of Health, Environment & Climate Change, Agriculture & Food Security, and National Public Health Agency to operationalize a One Health approach.
• Assist with partner coordination meetings, technical working groups, and stakeholders’ engagement.

Outbreak Detection and Response

• Support strengthening of event-based and indicator-based surveillance systems for early outbreak detection.
• Contribute to preparedness planning, simulation exercises, and after-action reviews (AARs).
• Support documentation of best practices and lessons learned for adaptive management.

Zoonotic Disease Surveillance (One Health)

• Support integration of human, animal, and environmental health surveillance systems in line with One Health principles.
• Assist in implementation of zoonotic disease and wildlife surveillance activities.
• Facilitate multisectoral coordination between veterinary, wildlife, and public health stakeholders.

Evidence -Based Public Health Messaging and Community Engagement (EMCE)

• Participate in the design and dissemination of evidence-based risk communication materials.
• Assist with the facilitation of community engagement activities to promote behavior change and trust in public health interventions.
• Work the project team to implement  strategies to address misinformation and improve community feedback mechanisms.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Support routine monitoring of project indicators in alignment with the project’s Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP).
• Assist in data collection, validation, analysis, and reporting.
• Contribute to preparation of high-quality reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual) in accordance with project requirements.
• Support learning activities, including documentation of success stories, best practices, and program adaptations.

Capacity Strengthening and Technical Assistance

• Support capacity-building initiatives for Government  and community stakeholders.
• Provide on-the-job technical assistance and mentorship to  partners.
• Support sustainability planning and transition of capacities to local systems.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Veterinary Medicine, Environmental Health, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in public health programs, preferably in United States Government  or donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience in Global Health Security, outbreak response, or surveillance systems strengthening.
• Experience working within One Health frameworks and zoonotic disease programs is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with project operating context

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of  program cycle, compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of IDSR, IHR (2005), and GHSA frameworks.
• Strong collaboration, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Enormous experience in implementing Evidence -Based Public Health Messaging  and Community Engagement interventions in Public Health Emergencies
• Strong  analytical  and reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and respond to public health emergencies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Key Working Relationships

• National Public Health Agency/Ministry of Health 
• Ministry of Environment and Climate Change

Implementing partner

• HEADA SL community-based organizations

Deliverables and Performance Expectations

• Timely and high-quality implementation of project activities.
• Accurate and timely submission of reports to the Line Manager.
• Strengthened coordination across One Health sectors.
• Measurable improvements in surveillance, laboratory systems, and public health messaging capacity.

Interested and qualified individuals should submit their Curriculum Vitae and Application letter to: The Human Resources/Administrative Coordinator, Population Services International-Sierra Leone, 3 Fadika Drive, IMATT-Hill Station, Freetown, or via email to recruitment@psi-sl.org The deadline for the submission of applications is Friday 1st May 2026 by 5PM GMT.

PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of actual or perceived race, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, family status or responsibilities, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions or breastfeeding, genetic information, amnesty, veteran, special disabled veteran or uniform service member status or employment status.