Rapid Response Team Lead (Regions III- Central Luzon, IVA- CALABARZON, IVB- MIMAROPA, and National Capital Region)

ABOUT FHI 360 :

FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2,000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.

PROJECT OVERVIEW :

The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project is a global health initiative funded by the Department of State, running from 2019 to 2027. In the Philippines, EpiC has two workplans each with its own technical scope and budget, one focused on achieving HIV epidemic control and one focused on strengthening global health security (GHS). The role outlined in this job description supports EpiC’s GHS workplan.

EpiC’s GHS workplan aims to strengthen national, subnational, and local capacities for the prevention, detection, and response to public health emergencies, including pandemic preparedness. Support is delivered across multiple technical areas, including Zoonotic Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Laboratory Systems, Surveillance, Public Health Emergency Management, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging. All activities and sub-activities under each technical area are aligned with and informed by national priorities and strategies, including the National Action Plan for Health Security (2025–2030), the National Framework of the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS), and the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) 2025–2030.

JOB SUMMARY :

The Rapid Response Team (RRT) Lead will report to the Field Operations Manager to support the implementation of the EpiC / GHS project by leading field-based outbreak detection, investigation, and response operations in assigned Strategic Depth Regions III- Central Luzon, IVA- CALABARZON, IVB- MIMAROPA, and National Capital Region (NCR). The position is responsible for managing, coordinating, and deploying multidisciplinary rapid response teams; strengthening subnational readiness systems; and ensuring alignment of field operations with national standards, the 7-1-7 performance model, and project priorities across surveillance, laboratory systems, biosafety / biosecurity, IPC, and EMCE.

The RRT Lead will oversee day-to-day implementation of community and facility-level outbreak response activities; provide direct technical support to RESUs / LESUs, hospitals, LGUs, and local laboratories; and ensure timely and accurate reporting of field findings to the project and the Epidemiology Bureau.

The position will work closely with teams across Zoonotic Diseases, Laboratory and Diagnostics, Surveillance, IPC, Health Emergency Management, and EMCE, as well as government stakeholders at national and subnational levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

1.Community Event-based Surveillance and Response (CESR) Technical and Operational Leadership

Provide overall technical and operational leadership in the implementation of CESR

Ensure alignment of CESR implementation with the DOH Epidemiology Bureau priorities, approvals, and national surveillance policies

Serve as the primary technical focal point for CESR-related coordination across DOH, Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), LGUs, and community counterparts

Assist in the design and implementation of a robust progress monitoring and tracking system to measure performance against planned schedule, budget, and quality standard for CESR implementation

Coordinate and monitor deployment of CESR field activities, ensuring adherence to guidelines

Provide technical guidance in the development and updates of CESR related policies, guidelines, and issuances

Response Field Operations

Coordinate, plan, and deploy multidisciplinary RRTs to support early detection, verification, investigation, and containment of priority diseases in assigned regions.

Ensure response actions align with DOH protocols, IHR core capacities, and project technical areas (surveillance, lab, biosafety / biosecurity, IPC, EMCE).

Liaise between field operations and the project team — ensuring real-time two-way communication with the Field Operations Manager, Strategic Depth Cluster Team Lead, and relevant Technical Advisors to relay findings, risks, resource needs, and follow-up actions from the field.

3.Regional and Local Outbreak Readiness

Assist RESUs, LESUs, PHEOCs, hospitals, and LGUs in operationalizing 7-1-7 outbreak timelines, including risk assessment, notification, and rapid mobilization.

Support implementation of passive-to-active surveillance transitions, and rumor triage systems.

4. Laboratory and Surveillance Linkages

Strengthen specimen referral, surge testing pathways, and linkages between ESUs and subnational laboratories.

Facilitate real-time communication between field teams, laboratories, and surveillance units to shorten “signal-to-result-to-action” time.

5. Community-Level Response Structures

Work with barangay health workers, emergency response teams, private providers, and community groups to support early warning, reporting, and containment activities.

Coordinate closely with EMCE specialists to reinforce risk communication and community engagement during field operations.

6. Rapid Response Team Management

Lead, mentor, and supervise Disease Surveillance Officers, laboratory officers, and other deployed personnel across assigned sites.

Ensure readiness of field personnel through drills, upskilling, and after-action reviews.

Oversee and monitor RRT field activities against project goals, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of reports and data submissions.

7. Capacity Building, Training Oversight, and Simulation Exercises

Lead and oversee the development, review, and updating of CESR training packages and module including trainer and participant guides

Oversee implementation of Training of Trainers (ToT) and cascading roll-out trainings of CESR for DOH, DA, DENR, LGUs, and community-level implementers

Support the design and execution of multisectoral outbreak simulations, table-top exercises, and after-action reviews to test subnational response systems.

Train local responders on outbreak investigation, PPE use, IPC enforcement, triage, safe specimen handling, and reporting tools.

Support the development and delivery of training programs, SOPs, and protocols for local health responders and teams, based on national and international guidelines and tailored to the local context.

Provide technical assistance in the development and contextualization of IEC materials, job aides, and audio-visual presentations (AVPs), ensuring accuracy, quality, relevance, and alignment with project objectives

Provide logistical and management support during the execution and delivery of trainings and other capacity strengthening activities

8. Reporting, Coordination, and Representation

Oversee documentation of field investigations, situation reports, and performance dashboards.

Represent the project in coordination meetings with the Centers for Health Development, Provincial DOH Offices, LGUs, and inter-agency platforms at the national, regional, and local levels.

Facilitate and document planning meetings with the stakeholders and partner agencies

Provide regular updates to the Strategic Depth Cluster Team Lead, Field Operations Manager, and Technical Advisors on field status, risks, needs, and recommended course corrections.

Act as liaison between the EpiC GHS project and the DOH EB to ensure timely information exchange, joint planning, and coordinated implementation of project activities.

9. Project Management Support

Work with project management and technical teams in developing and updating work plans, presentations, and reports

Support alignment and harmonization with related project components

10. Other Functions

Perform additional duties as assigned, particularly during emergency escalations, surge alerts, and public health incidents.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS :

Usual office working conditions (on periods of non-emergency)

Ability to travel domestically ( at least 80%) (at any given time given the nature of health emergencies)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, and / or in any of the fields related to position functions, Master’s degree preferred. Solid background in emergency preparedness and response is also preferred.

At least 3 years of combined national and international experience working in disease surveillance programs and development of disease surveillance systems, and management of a subteam.

Training / s in Epidemiology and Surveillance ( Basic Epidemiology and Disease / Events-based Surveillance, Field Epidemiology Training Advanced, Intermediate, or Frontline Course, etc.) and Outbreak Response ( Basic Life Support and Standard First Aid) is preferred.

Knowledge and practical expertise in the application of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and outbreak control at national and international level.

Professional expertise in preventive public health, epidemiological research, disease control and health services.

Demonstrated experience in implementation, rollout, and training of CESR program, including capacity-building of local health responders and coordination with government and community stakeholders

Ability to analyze current surveillance systems and to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.

Knowledge on data management software use.

Demonstrated creative problem-solving, leadership and management skills.

Demonstrated experience and skills in leading, mentoring, and training staff and others, including good communication and networking skills

Proven experience working with government officials, particularly the Department of Health is highly desirable, to support strategy development, implementation plans and decision making.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employerwhereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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