Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Technical Officer - Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response (AfCDC)

at African Union

🏢 About African Union

The African Union's Africa CDC is uniquely positioned as the continent's premier public health institution, leading pan-African efforts to build resilient health systems and coordinate emergency responses across 55 member states. Working here means contributing directly to saving lives during outbreaks while shaping regional health security policies that impact millions of people across Africa.

About This Role

This Senior Technical Officer role focuses on strengthening Northern Africa's emergency preparedness through the 7-1-7 model implementation and providing real-time technical support during outbreaks. You'll be instrumental in grading public health events, developing response protocols, and ensuring regional coordination between member states and partners during critical health emergencies.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing surveillance data from Northern African countries, providing technical guidance to a member state investigating a potential outbreak, and coordinating with regional partners to update emergency response plans. You could be simultaneously grading a public health event while preparing stakeholder reports and participating in virtual briefings with Africa CDC's emergency operations center.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who African Union Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of senior-level experience specifically in public health emergency preparedness and response systems, not just general public health work
  • Possesses hands-on technical expertise in disease surveillance systems, outbreak investigation methodologies, and infection prevention protocols used in African contexts
  • Demonstrates proven experience coordinating multi-stakeholder emergency responses across different countries or regions, particularly in Northern Africa
  • Has practical knowledge of emergency response planning frameworks like the 7-1-7 model and experience developing rapid response protocols and case management guidelines

📝 Tips for Applying to African Union

1

Quantify your experience with specific metrics: instead of 'worked on outbreak response,' state 'led outbreak investigation teams during 3 major disease outbreaks affecting 5+ countries'

2

Explicitly mention your familiarity with Africa CDC's 7-1-7 model and how you've implemented similar frameworks in previous roles

3

Highlight any experience working with African Union structures, member states, or regional economic communities in Northern Africa

4

Include specific examples of stakeholder reports you've prepared for regional bodies or international partners during public health events

5

Demonstrate your remote coordination capabilities by describing how you've managed emergency response teams across different locations

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your direct experience implementing the 7-1-7 model or similar preparedness frameworks in African contexts', 'Specific examples of providing technical advice during actual public health emergencies in the region', 'Your approach to coordinating between multiple stakeholders (governments, partners, communities) during crisis situations', "How your expertise aligns with Africa CDC's mission of strengthening continental health security"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Africa CDC's current strategic plan and how the 7-1-7 model is being implemented across different regions
  • → Recent public health emergencies in Northern Africa and how Africa CDC responded
  • → The structure of Africa CDC's emergency operations center and regional coordination mechanisms
  • → Key partners Africa CDC works with in emergency response (WHO AFRO, regional economic communities, etc.)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would implement the 7-1-7 model for a hypothetical outbreak in Northern Africa
2 Describe your experience grading public health events and preparing reports for regional stakeholders
3 How would you coordinate a multi-country response when member states have different surveillance capacities?
4 What strategies would you use to ensure infection prevention protocols are consistently applied across different healthcare settings?
5 How have you previously balanced immediate emergency response with longer-term preparedness planning?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only general public health experience without specific emergency preparedness and response examples
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of Africa CDC's continental mandate versus national-level work
  • Not showing awareness of the unique challenges of coordinating responses across Northern Africa's diverse countries

📅 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!

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