The South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme

The South Africa FETP is hosted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), for the National Department of Health (NDoH). SAFETP offers a full-time two-year residency programme, which provides training and practical experience in applied epidemiology, and aims to develop specialist skills to evaluate and strengthen public health surveillance systems, investigate and control outbreaks, and conduct field studies to address public health priority issues. Training is provided mainly through on the-job service provision and learning activities. A trainee who successfully completes the programme is awarded a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Field Epidemiology from either the University of Pretoria or the University of the Witwatersrand.

Applicants who are funded by their employers must ensure that this funding covers their salaries/stipends, as well as university registration and tuition fees for the two-year training period. Applicants currently working within the South African government at various levels, who plan to take study leave to participate in the programme and afterwards return to their workplace, must have written approval from their departments. A limited number of bursaries/scholarships may be available for selected applicants fulfilling predefined criteria.

Limited places may be offered to applicants from selected Southern African countries who meet the entry requirements, and are supported by their governments. Such applicants must be eligible for the required visa/permit to study in South Africa. The applicant must also ensure that their employer/government has agreed to fully cover the costs related to their participation in SAFETP for the 2 years of training – including salaries/stipends, university registration and tuition fees, living expenses while studying in South Africa.

Objectives

• To provide a platform for building field epidemiology capacity for health professionals.
• To strengthen the capacity of health professionals to improve surveillance and detect and respond to public health events.
• To develop the capacity of health professionals to utilise evidence-based approaches to drive programs and to inform policy decisions.
• To provide the framework to encourage epidemiological research aligned with National prioritised research programs.
• To contribute to the development of Public Health Leadership capacity.

Application Requirements

• Work experience requirements
  • At least 2 years of professional experience in a health field or other fields relevant to health
  • Experience of working in a public health system is desirable
  • Experience in health-related research will be an advantage
• Educational Requirements
  • Medical, veterinary or dentistry degree;
  • Doctorate degree in a medical/health related field;
  • Master’s degree in a medical or health related field;
  • Honour’s/bachelor’s degree with prior research experience.
• Other Key requirements
  • In addition to work and educational requirements, the applicant must:
  • Be registered with their respective professional bodies
  • Be fluent in spoken and written English
  • Be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft office suite for communication, word processing, analysis, presentation and report generation.
  • Knowledge of a statistical package will be an advantage
  • Have a valid driver’s license and be willing to drive a hired car
  • Provide proof of current physical residential address for future purposes of Domicilium citandi et executandi.

For more information, visit National Institute for Communicable Diseases.