General Summary

Job Description: Graduate Fellow in Health Security

• Position Title: Graduate Trainee- Master’s Level (Health Security)
• Department / Program: Global Health Security
• Project: Professor Sewankambo Training Program for Global Health Security in Africa
• Reports To: Program Area Leads
• Duration: 4 weeks
• Location: IDI-McKinnell MKC, Makerere University Campus
• Application Deadline:  Two weeks after the Advert date

Position Overview

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University, invites applications from outstanding final-year and recently graduated postgraduate health professionals to join Cohort II of the Professor Sewankambo Global Health Security Training Programme.

The Professor Sewankambo Programme is a multidisciplinary leadership and experiential learning initiative established to strengthen Africa’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging public health threats. The programme provides structured mentorship, practical training, operational research opportunities, and hands-on participation in national and regional Global Health Security initiatives.

Following the successful launch of Cohort I, which comprises PhD scholars undertaking advanced Global Health Security research, the programme is expanding to include Graduate Fellows who will undertake intensive placements within IDI’s Global Health Security Programme.

Successful fellows will work alongside multidisciplinary teams supporting Uganda’s health security agenda while contributing to preparedness, surveillance, research, outbreak response, and scientific innovation.

Programme Objectives

The Graduate training aims to:

• Build practical competencies in Global Health Security among future health leaders.
• Provide experiential learning through participation in routine preparedness and emergency response activities.
• Strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration across clinical, laboratory, surveillance, and public health systems.
• Foster research, innovation, scientific writing, and leadership in Global Health Security.
• Develop a network of young professionals committed to strengthening health security in Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Training Placement Areas

Graduate trainees will be attached to one of the following technical areas:

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• Epidemic Intelligence and Public Health Surveillance
• Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity
• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
• Community Health and Risk Communication
• Clinical Management of Highly Infectious Pathogens (Case Management)
• Health Economics, Policy, and Advocacy
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Planetary Health

Applicants may select up to three preferred placement areas.

Learning Experience

The fellowship is competency-based and combines classroom learning, mentorship, field experience, and participation in ongoing programme implementation.

Depending on the placement area, fellows may participate in:

• Disease surveillance and epidemic intelligence
• National outbreak preparedness and response activities
• Incident Management System (IMS) operations
• Laboratory strengthening, biosafety, and biosecurity
• Infection prevention and control implementation
• Antimicrobial resistance surveillance and stewardship
• Clinical preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease and other highly infectious pathogens
• Community engagement and risk communication
• Operational research and implementation science
• Scientific manuscript preparation
• Preparation of Technical reports and policy briefs
• Grant proposal development
• National simulation exercises and preparedness assessments

Where appropriate, fellows may also gain exposure to activities coordinated through the Continental Ebola Response Hub, providing valuable regional experience in emergency preparedness and response.

Academic Qualifications

• • Master of Medicine (MMed) in Internal Medicine or Paediatrics • Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Pharmacy, Molecular Biology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, Epidemiology, Biomedical Sciences, One Health, Veterinary Public Health, Environmental Health
• • Interest in Global Health Security
• • Excellent written and verbal communication

Person Specification

Qualifications and Requirements

Applications are invited from motivated individuals who are passionate about public health, research, and Global Health Security.

Eligible applicants include candidates who have recently completed graduate training (within 12 months) or are in their final year of the following programs

• Master of Medicine (MMed) in Internal Medicine or Paediatrics
• Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Pharmacy, Molecular Biology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, One Health, Veterinary Public Health, Environmental Health

Successful applicants should demonstrate:

• Interest in Global Health Security
• Commitment to public health service
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to work within multidisciplinary teams
• Willingness to participate in field activities where required

Previous outbreak response experience is not required.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Professor Sewankambo Global Health Security Training Programme is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in Global Health Security leadership.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences are welcome.

What trainees shall gain

The programme offers a unique opportunity to:

• Receive mentorship from leading African and international Global Health Security experts
• Gain practical experience within one of Africa’s leading Global Health Security programmes
• Work alongside clinicians, epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, public health specialists, and policymakers
• Participate in national preparedness and emergency response activities
• Develop competencies in scientific writing, proposal development, and implementation research
• Build professional networks across government, academia, and international partners
• Receive a Certificate of Completion from the Professor Sewankambo Global Health Security Training Programme

Outstanding fellows may be considered for future training, research, or collaborative opportunities within IDI and partner institutions.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY