Table 1.

Roles and responsibilities for field epidemiologists at the frontline and intermediate levels.

Area	Frontline workforce	Intermediate workforce
Preparedness	• Apply Standardized Operating Procedures (SOPs) and regulations • Situational awareness • Value chain mapping	• Cross-border trade, threats, relations
Surveillance	• Identify single cases • Identify an outbreak • Disease reporting	• Collate, analyse, and interpret surveillance data • Plan and implement local surveillance • Qualitative risk assessment • Risk-based surveillance
Outbreak investigation	• Participate in an outbreak investigation • Prompt response • Containment, biosecurity	• Outbreak investigation • Response
Epidemiological methods	• Data entry/capture • Data summarisation	• Design and conduct surveys • Descriptive epidemiology • Use data analysis software • Participatory disease search • Mapping • Value chain analysis
Communication	• Communicate effectively with the community • Cross-sectoral coordination • Two-way vertical and horizontal communication and coordination • Communication with wide audience/public	• Prepare surveillance report • Prepare outbreak report • Present report to stakeholders • Risk communication • Active listening • Scientific presentation
Laboratory methods	• Collection and handling of samples • Biosafety and biosecurity	• Design laboratory forms • Complete laboratory forms • Interpret laboratory results
Professionalism	• Ethical behavior • Teamwork	• Ethical behavior • Teamwork