Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Technical Officer -Environmental and Wastewater Surveillance (AfCDC)

at African Union

🏢 About African Union

Africa CDC is a unique pan-African public health institution that coordinates disease prevention and response across 55 member states, offering the opportunity to work on continental-scale health initiatives. As a specialized technical agency of the African Union, it provides a platform to directly impact public health systems across Africa through collaborative, member-state-driven approaches.

About This Role

This senior role leads Africa CDC's environmental surveillance initiatives with a primary focus on wastewater-based epidemiology to detect disease threats across the continent. You'll develop continental strategic frameworks and provide technical assistance to member states, making this position critical for building Africa's early warning systems for public health emergencies through innovative environmental monitoring approaches.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves coordinating with member state health departments on surveillance system implementation, developing technical guidance documents for wastewater monitoring, and engaging with international partners to align funding with continental priorities. You might spend mornings analyzing surveillance data from multiple countries and afterhours conducting virtual technical assistance sessions with national teams across different time zones.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for African Union

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who African Union Is Looking For

  • Experienced professional with 7+ years in environmental surveillance, wastewater epidemiology, or public health monitoring systems, preferably in African contexts
  • Proven track record in developing technical guidance and strategic frameworks for multi-country health initiatives
  • Strong background in stakeholder engagement with technical partners, funding agencies, and government health departments
  • Demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance and capacity building to diverse national health systems

📝 Tips for Applying to African Union

1

Highlight specific experience with wastewater-based epidemiology projects in African countries or similar developing regions

2

Demonstrate understanding of Africa CDC's coordination role by mentioning experience working across multiple countries or with intergovernmental organizations

3

Include concrete examples of developing technical guidance or strategic frameworks for environmental surveillance programs

4

Showcase experience engaging with both technical partners (like research institutions) and funding agencies for health initiatives

5

Emphasize any experience providing technical assistance to national health systems, particularly in capacity-building contexts

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with wastewater-based epidemiology and environmental surveillance systems', 'Examples of developing strategic frameworks or technical guidance for multi-stakeholder health initiatives', 'Experience working across African countries or with African Union member states on public health programs', 'Track record of engaging technical partners and securing funding for surveillance activities']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Africa CDC's existing environmental health initiatives and the Africa Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Strategy
  • → Current wastewater surveillance projects in African countries (like South Africa's wastewater monitoring for polio)
  • → The African Union's Agenda 2063 and how public health surveillance supports continental development goals
  • → Africa CDC's partnerships with organizations like WHO AFRO, Africa PGI, and various technical partners

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach developing a continental wastewater surveillance framework that accounts for Africa's diverse infrastructure levels?
2 Describe your experience engaging with both technical partners (like research institutions) and funding agencies for surveillance programs
3 What strategies would you use to provide technical assistance to member states with varying levels of existing surveillance capacity?
4 How would you prioritize environmental surveillance activities across Africa given limited resources?
5 Can you discuss a specific challenge you've faced in implementing wastewater surveillance and how you addressed it?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic environmental science experience without specific wastewater epidemiology or public health surveillance focus
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of Africa CDC's coordination role versus direct implementation
  • Not showing awareness of the challenges specific to implementing surveillance systems across diverse African contexts

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to African Union!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →