Scientific Writer - AFENET / MakSPH Partnership)

About Makerere University School of Public Health

Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) is one of the leading public health education and research institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa and one of four Schools under the Makerere University College of Health Sciences. Makerere University, established in 1922, is one of the oldest universities in Africa and ranked 2nd in research in Africa.

Vision: To be a leader in public health training and knowledge generation for societal transformation.

Mission: To promote better health for the people of Uganda and beyond through public health training, research and community service.

Core Functions: 1) Training in Public Health 2) Conducting Research 3) Community Service.

MakSPH has four departments: Health Policy, Planning and Management; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Disease Control and Environmental Health; and Community Health and Behavioural Sciences. The School has over 850 students (600+ graduate students) and runs 9 academic programmes including Master of Public Health (MPH) Full-time and Distance, MPH Nutrition, MPH Informatics, Master of Health Services Research, MPH Monitoring and Evaluation, Masters in Biostatistics, Masters in Disaster Management and PhD. It offers 50 Fellowships annually including 10 two-year Field Epidemiology fellowships in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

The School has 93+ academic staff and research fellows and about 300 project staff, operates 8 District field training sites, and produces about 200 peer-reviewed publications annually. It hosts centres including the Family Health Center, Maternal Neonatal and Child Health Center and the Iganga/Mayuge Demographic Surveillance Site. MakSPH is a founder member of the Association of Schools of Public Health in Africa (ASPHA) and a founder member of the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), and works extensively with the Ministry of Health, KCCA, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, CDC and over 60 NGOs. This role sits within the long-standing AFENET-MakSPH partnership supporting the Uganda Field Epidemiology Training Programme (Advanced FETP/MPH) and is ideal for applicants passionate about field epidemiology, scientific writing and mentoring the next generation of public health leaders.

About AFENET

The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is a not-for-profit networking alliance and service organization that brings together Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) across Africa, working side by side with Ministries of Health, regional and international partners.

AFENET works to strengthen the epidemiology and disease surveillance capabilities of African countries, which are critical to meeting the requirements of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy and the International Health Regulations (IHR).

Job Details

• Employer Partnership: African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) in partnership with the School of Public Health, Makerere University (MUSPH)
• Location: School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
• Duty Station: School of Public Health, Makerere University
• Employment Type: Full-time (Contract based on partnership project period)
• Reporting to: Supervisor at AFENET / MakSPH (programme leadership)
• Role Summary: Co-coordinate the MPH programme and coordinate field activities, lead scientific writing and publication support for Uganda Field Epidemiology Programme residents (MPH/Advanced FETP) and Ministry of Health Epidemiology staff, provide statistical analysis support, ensure scientific integrity of programme outputs, organize writing workshops, maintain product archives and support resource mobilisation and visibility for the FETP programme. The position also supports AFENET biennial conference and dissemination activities.
• Compensation & Benefits: Not disclosed
• Work Mode: On-site at MakSPH, Kampala with field coordination and close collaboration with Ministry of Health and AFENET Secretariat

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Co-coordinate the MPH programme and coordinate field activities under the programme.
• Oversee writing of manuscripts for Uganda Field Epidemiology Programme residents at the School of Public Health, Makerere University (MPH/Advanced FETP), and Ministry of Health staff.
• Support statistical analysis of work done by trainees, programme staff and Ministry of Health Epidemiology staff.
• Work closely with programme staff to develop manuscripts for various projects and ensure timely submission of papers for publication.
• Take the lead in following up with authors and journals until papers are accepted for publication.
• Develop and maintain a log database of all products from Uganda Field Epidemiology Programme residents at the School of Public Health, Makerere University (MPH/Advanced FETP).
• Work with programme staff to organise and conduct scientific writing workshops for trainees, FETP staff and Ministry of Health Epidemiology staff.
• Review all programme abstracts, manuscripts and presentations to ensure scientific integrity before approval and submission to conferences and journals.
• Work with Uganda Field Epidemiology Programme residents at the School of Public Health, Makerere University (MPH/Advanced FETP), and Ministry of Health Epidemiology staff to write concepts.
• Lead resource mobilisation efforts for the FETP programme at MakSPH by writing expressions of interest and/or proposals for new initiatives that may arise during the contract period.
• Support documentation of key projects, success stories and findings for the Uganda Field Epidemiology Programme, and maintain programme archives.
• Promote social media visibility of key projects, success stories, activities and products under the Uganda Field Epidemiology Programme.
• Support preparations for the AFENET bi-annual conference, AFTERS and disseminations.
• Carry out any other duties assigned by the supervisor from time to time.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine (MD, MBChB, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Laboratory Science, or Nursing) – required.
• Master’s degree in Public Health with FETP training and experience of at least three years since graduation – required.
• At least five publications, with two as first author – required.
• Demonstrated experience teaching and supervising students at master’s level – required.
• Strong skills in statistical analysis, scientific writing, and manuscript development through to publication.
• Experience in coordinating academic/programme field activities and organising scientific writing workshops and mentorship.
• Ability to review abstracts, manuscripts and presentations for scientific integrity and to maintain log databases and archives.
• Experience in resource mobilisation – proposal and expression of interest writing – is an added advantage.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and social media visibility skills; ability to work closely with Ministry of Health, trainees and programme staff.
• Ugandan nationality is required as per advert.

Application Procedure

• Prepare an application letter and a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) detailing academic qualifications, experience and skills, including a full publication list.
• Attach copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
• Include names and contact details of three professional referees.
• Submit applications via the AFENET recruitment portal: Apply Now and send a copy by email to sec@afenet.net.
• Address application to: The Human Resource Office, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET).
• Deadline: Friday, 18 September 2026, by close of business at 5:30 p.m. East Africa Time (EAT). Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview.
• For enquiries, contact AFENET Secretariat: Ground Floor, Wings B & C, Lugogo House, Plot 42, Lugogo By-Pass, P.O. Box 12874 Kampala, Phone: +256-312-700650.

Job Summary

• Job Category: Healthcare, Education, Research
• Job Type: Full-time
• Deadline of this Job: 2026-09-18
• Duty Station: School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala
• Date Posted: 2026-09-11
• No of Positions: 1
• Application Link: Apply Now
• Location pin: 📍 New Mulago Hill Road, Mulago, Kampala, Uganda – Makerere University School of Public Health (https://sph.mak.ac.ug)