Assistant Director, Infection Control & Strategic Coordination (NICHE)

What the role is

The Assistant Director supports the Deputy Director by contributing to the strategic oversight and performance management of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) efforts, ensuring alignment with national IPC strategic objectives. The role supports the national IPC programme and international collaboration efforts, enabling synergies between local implementation and global knowledge exchange.

The position leads operational effectiveness across the national IPC initiatives, facilitating coordination between stakeholders, and providing support for IPC committees and workgroups. In addition, the role supports international collaboration efforts by engaging the global partners and expert networks to facilitate knowledge exchange, benchmark best practices, and contribute to international IPC initiatives. This includes translating global evidence into locally relevant policies and programmes, while strengthening the agency’s contribution to the broader global IPC landscape. You will be leading a team and working in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment that would require the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders, and both operational and strategic responsibilities simultaneously.

What you will be working on

• IPC Programme Development: Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive national IPC initiatives, including community-based programmes that extend beyond traditional healthcare settings. Lead initiatives that strengthen infection control capabilities across primary care facilities, long‑term care institutions, community healthcare providers, and other community sectors including schools, workplaces, and residential facilities.
• Outbreak Preparedness and Response Support: Contribute to preparedness for and response to infectious disease outbreaks, including coordination of measures such as isolation, quarantine, and IPC interventions across sectors. Collaborate with government agencies, healthcare partners, and community stakeholders to enhance pandemic preparedness and coordinate response activities for infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
• Preparedness Planning and Policy Development: Lead the development, review, and implementation of national IPC policies, frameworks, and operational plans for pandemic preparedness. This includes planning for IPC measures across healthcare and community settings (e.g., isolation and quarantine, personal protective equipment use, environmental hygiene, and infection control practices) and ensuring alignment with national response strategies. Work with stakeholders to operationalise IPC requirements and ensure readiness for surge scenarios and infectious disease outbreaks.
• National IPC Coordination and Capacity Building: Support the Deputy Director and other sub‑units within ICSC in coordinating national‑level IPC efforts, capacity building programmes, and policy development initiatives. Engage with international stakeholders and partners to enhance local IPC capacity through knowledge transfer and collaboration. Implement quality assurance frameworks to monitor the effectiveness of coordination efforts and lead continuous improvement initiatives based on performance data, stakeholder feedback, and emerging international best practices.
• International Collaboration and Strategic Partnerships: Support and strengthen international collaboration to position the agency as a key contributor in the global IPC landscape. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with international institutions and expert networks to drive knowledge exchange, benchmarking, and co‑development of IPC best practices and guidelines. Provide secretariat support in international technical workstreams and guideline development, while translating global evidence into locally relevant policies and advancing national IPC priorities through global platforms.

What we are looking for

• Minimum 8‑10 years of relevant experience in healthcare, public health, or IPC, with demonstrated experience in policy development, guideline development, or evidence synthesis. Demonstrated experience in performance management and strategic oversight of healthcare programmes. Previous experience working with national health agencies preferred. Track record of managing complex stakeholder relationships and multi‑disciplinary teams. Experience in inter‑agency coordination and secretariat functions highly desirable.
• Minimally tertiary qualifications from recognised discipline, preferably in nursing, medical, pharmacy, and other healthcare fields.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience in developing documents and reports will be considered a significant advantage for this role.
• Sharp thinker: Analyses problems, makes sound decisions under pressure.
• Communicator: Connects with diverse stakeholders, delivers complex information clearly.
• Self‑starter: Takes initiative, owns projects, works independently.
• Adaptable: Responds effectively to changing priorities and threats.
• Lifelong learner: Committed to continuous professional development.
• Team leader: Able to lead and motivate teams effectively in high‑pressure environments whilst maintaining team cohesion and performance standards.
• Professional: Demonstrates integrity, manages stress well, data driven. Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

Key Competencies Required

• Thinking Clearly & Making Sound Judgements – Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to support the crafting of sound policy recommendations; ability to grasp timelines, operating context and ground realities.
• Learning & Putting Skills into Action - Possesses the drive and curiosity to learn and apply new skills, knowledge and new ways of working.
• Improving & Innovating – Ability to seek continual improvements, and to innovate and experiment while managing the risks involved.
• Working Effectively with Stakeholders – Ability to mobilise and rally partners and stakeholders towards a collective purpose.

As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.

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