South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) 2025 for qualified African health professionals

The South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) is requesting applications for the incoming 2024 class from qualified health professionals with an interest in public health and commitment to public service.

Application Deadline: 01 July 2024

About the Award: This residency programme is a two-year, full-time training, from which residents graduate with either a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Pretoria OR a Masters in Epidemiology (MSc) in Field Epidemiology from the University of the Witwatersrand. The 2025 cohort will begin in January 2025 and end in December 2026 and applicants are required to apply at both the University of Pretoria and the University of the Witwatersrand.

The growing field of public health and epidemiology in South Africa and globally brings exciting opportunities for graduates and professionals from health related fields to become competent in applied epidemiology of diseases and conditions relevant to South Africa. It also develops their
leadership and management skills relevant to public health system strengthening and management. The training focuses on investigations of public health outbreaks (an acute health event or other epidemiological activity) and using epidemiology and biostatistics to conduct descriptive and analytical studies.

Eligible Field(s):

Work experience requirements

• Professional experience in a health field or other fields relevant to health
• Experience of working in the public health system is desirable

Minimal Educational requirements (all degrees should be in a health, laboratory or public health related field from an accredited university):

• A medical, veterinary or dentistry degree ; OR
• A doctorate degree in a medical/health related field; OR
• A master’s degree in a medical or health related field; OR
• An honour’s/bachelor’s degree with prior research experience

Type: Training

Eligibility: Applicants must:

• Be registered with their respective professional bodies
• Be fluent in spoken and written English
• Be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook for use in 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

Eligible Countries: African countries

To be Taken at (Country): South Africa

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award:

• Bursaries/stipends may be available for select South African applicants fulfilling predefined criteria. South African applicants working currently 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 for the entire two years.
• NICD staff that have been funded and granted study leave will be required to continue working for the NICD for at least two (2) years after completing the MPH OR MSc programme.
• South Africans and permanent residents 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.
• For applicants applying from other African countries – the eligibility requirements still apply and the international applicant must have the required visa and permissions to study in South Africa. The applicants must ensure that all the costs related to participation in SAFETP are fully covered for the 2 years of training – salaries/stipends, university registration and tuition fees, accommodation, travel and accommodation to investigate outbreaks – by their respective governments.

Duration of Award: 2 years

How to Apply: If you meet all the requirements, download the two reference forms below

Additional forms/documents are required.

• It is important to go through all application requirements in the Award Webpage (see Link below) before applying.
• GOODLUCK

Visit Award Webpage for Details