Volunteer Disease X Specialist Volunteers

What will you be doing?

Disease X Specialist Volunteer Role Description The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) will be 25 years old on 14 August 2025. We seek qualified specialists to join us to celebrate our Silver Jubilee by understanding Ebola, swine flu, HIV/Aids, and viruses borne by animals that caused some of the most devastating epidemics in history. What will come next? Africa Health Organisation (AHO) is inviting scientists to work to find Disease X - a virus that is yet undiscovered but could have the potential to ravage populations. A 2022 statement from the World Health Organization (WHO), defines the term this way: "Disease X is [used] to indicate an unknown pathogen that could cause a serious international pandemic." Given what the world experienced when COVID-19 emerged, infectious disease experts and scientists must continually monitor new threats. AHO invites experts and scientists to help prepare for the next Disease X. Duties and Responsibilities You will take part in the following strategies in preparation for Disease X.

Prepare for the Disease X strategy for Africa and the world. Develop surveillance tools and systems for epidemics and pandemics. Provide technical advice and guidance to governments and health institutions. Writing articles and documents related to Disease X for publications in journals and online presence on steps to reduce the risk of spillover and the consequent introduction and spread of a new disease in humans and animals; Advice on measures to improve disease surveillance in humans and animals to detect and sequence infectious agents rapidly; Rapid implementation of pharmaceutical (e.g. vaccination) and non-pharmaceutical measures to contain a large-scale epidemic; Develop Africa protocols to ensure fair distribution and global coverage of drugs and vaccines.

  VOLUNTEERING IS NOT A PAID JOB ALL our Volunteer Opportunities are not paid or salaried. Do not apply if you want a paid job or plan to negotiate a pay deal with us. Volunteering allows people to give their time for free to society while gaining the experience they need when applying for future paid jobs.

What are we looking for?

Education, Skills and Experience- essential

Master's degree in medicine, public health, global health, criminology, sociology, psychology, engineering, mathematics, biostatistics, biotechnology, biochemistry, biology, biochemistry, physics, chemistry, environmental science, arts and humanities, microbiology, nursing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), dentistry, social sciences, library, computer science, computers ITC, epidemiology, sciences, etc Studying a doctoral degree (PhD) or equivalent in medicine, public health, global health, criminology, health and social care, sociology, psychology, engineering, mathematics, biostatistics, biology, chemistry, sciences or equivalent subject that is related to medical and health doctoral degree, or sciences and social sciences; At least five (5) years of experience in epidemic and pandemic preparedness, surveillance and recovery in low-setting poor countries. Experience in conducting robust desktop quantitative, qualitative research tools and statistical data analysis, including large existing data sets, using Excel and/or SPSS, Word and/or NVivo Ability to communicate effectively - in writing and person - about research findings to a range of audiences Evidence of having delivered or contributed to the delivery of high-quality social research outputs. This is a virtual role. You can apply from any part of the world. This is a volunteer role and not paid or salaried. Do not apply if you want a paid job or plan to negotiate a pay deal with AHO.

  Languages requirements The ability to speak one of Africa's widely spoken languages would be an added advantage e.g. Afrikaans, Amharic, Arabic, Bemba, Berber, Chewa, Chinese, Dinka, English, French, Fula, Fulani, German, Greek, Hausa, Hindi, Igbo, Italian, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kongo, Korean, Lingala, Malagasy, Mandinka, Nambia, Ndebele, Nyanja, Oromo, Portuguese, Russian, Sango, Sesotho, Shona, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Swati, Thai, Tigrinya, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Vietnamese, Xhosa, Yoruba, Zulu, etc. You are still welcome to apply if you don't speak any of the above languages.

What difference will you make?

Your input will shape the future of pandemics and how we prepare and prevent disease. It will also help how we present ourselves to our service users, stakeholders, funders and general public. With your help we will be able to continue to monitor any threats. Your help and expertise will enable us to adapt and survive, to explore new possibilities, activities and ways of working in preparedness and recovery after pandemics.