The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with key partners including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), AFENET, and the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University of Sierra Leone, have announced the introduction of the Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programme (Advanced FETP) in Sierra Leone.

The initiative, funded by the Pandemic Fund, is aimed at strengthening the country’s public health capacity by developing a highly skilled workforce in applied epidemiology and disease control.

The Advanced FETP is a two-year, full-time postgraduate programme designed to build expertise in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, laboratory practice, and applied epidemiology. The training combines classroom-based instruction with field placements and leads to the award of a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control.

According to programme details, the training will commence in April 2026 and will be delivered through a blended learning approach, comprising 25 percent classroom instruction and 75 percent field-based training. COMAHS will serve as the host institution.

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Applicants must possess a first degree or higher in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Medicine, Clinical Science, Laboratory Science, Veterinary Medicine, Environmental Health, or a related health discipline from a recognized institution. Completion of the FETP Intermediate course will be considered an added advantage.

Candidates are also required to have a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience in public health, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, or related fields. Applicants must be currently employed in a public health-related institution within Sierra Leone, including the National Public Health Agency, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, teaching hospitals, research institutions, or the Environmental Protection Agency under the One Health framework.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate willingness to commit fully to the programme, including coursework, field assignments, and a thesis project. A written endorsement from their employer supporting full-time participation is mandatory.
Other requirements include moderate computer literacy and familiarity with data analysis tools such as Epi Info, STATA, SPSS, GIS, or R. Applicants must also be 45 years of age or below.

Interested candidates are required to pay a non-refundable application processing fee of NLe 600 at any branch of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. Upon payment, applicants will receive a bank receipt containing a batch reference number, which will serve as the application PIN for online submission.

Applicants must upload the following documents to the University of Sierra Leone application portal:

A cover letter expressing interest and motivation

A detailed curriculum vitae (CV)

Certified academic transcripts and degree certificates

A letter of recommendation from a supervisor or employer

A valid identification document or passport

A completed application form

The management of the programme has announced an extension of the application deadline from April 4 to April 10, 2026, citing public holidays and other events. Authorities are encouraging prospective applicants to take advantage of the extension and submit their applications before the new deadline.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Further information on the programme and application procedures will be made available on the websites of COMAHS, MoH, NPHA, AFENET, and the Sierra Leone Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SLFETP).

For inquiries, applicants may contact programme coordinators through the provided phone numbers and email addresses.