Graduate Trainee – Master's Level (Health Security)

Job Details

• Location: IDI-McKinnell MKC, Makerere University Campus, Kampala
• Department / Program: Global Health Security – Professor Sewankambo Training Program for Global Health Security in Africa
• Reports To: Program Area Leads
• Duration: 4 weeks
• Employment Type: Internship (Graduate Fellowship / Temporary placement)
• Duty Station: IDI-McKinnell MKC, Makerere University Campus
• Role Summary: Cohort II of the Professor Sewankambo Global Health Security Training Programme invites outstanding final-year and recently graduated postgraduate health professionals for intensive placements within IDI's Global Health Security Programme. Fellows work alongside multidisciplinary teams supporting Uganda's health security agenda while contributing to preparedness, surveillance, research, outbreak response and scientific innovation. The fellowship is competency-based and combines classroom learning, mentorship, field experience and participation in ongoing programme implementation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake intensive placement in one of the following technical areas (applicants may select up to three preferences): Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Epidemic Intelligence and Public Health Surveillance, Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Community Health and Risk Communication, Clinical Management of Highly Infectious Pathogens (Case Management), Health Economics, Policy and Advocacy, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Planetary Health.
• Participate in disease surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities.
• Support national outbreak preparedness and response activities and Incident Management System (IMS) operations.
• Support laboratory strengthening, biosafety and biosecurity activities.
• Support infection prevention and control implementation.
• Participate in antimicrobial resistance surveillance and stewardship.
• Support clinical preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease and other highly infectious pathogens.
• Engage in community engagement and risk communication.
• Conduct operational research and implementation science, scientific manuscript preparation, technical reports and policy briefs, and grant proposal development.
• Participate in national simulation exercises and preparedness assessments.
• Where appropriate, gain exposure to activities coordinated through the Continental Ebola Response Hub for regional emergency preparedness and response experience.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Master of Medicine (MMed) in Internal Medicine or Paediatrics OR Master's degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Pharmacy, Molecular Biology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, One Health, Veterinary Public Health, Environmental Health.
• Eligible applicants are those who have recently completed graduate training (within 12 months) or are in their final year of the above programs.
• Interest in Global Health Security and commitment to public health service.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work within multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to participate in field activities where required.
• Previous outbreak response experience is not required.
• Women and applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.