National Animal Health/Epidemiology Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) assists member countries in the sustainable development of the livestock sector and in optimizing its contribution to nutrition, food security, public health safeguard and rural poverty reduction, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. It provides a coordination role and hosts technical networks in the areas of, animal health, genetics, animal husbandry, feed, support to emergency preparedness and response. The Division facilitates policy dialogue (incl. intergovernmental bodies), manages knowledge and provides information, analysis and technical assistance for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to produce safe animal products more efficiently and more responsibly.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Global health Security Agenda (GHS) programs granted funding to FAO to support Africa to address the problem of emerging and re-emerging high impact zoonosis. FAO is focussing on developing capacity around supporting selected countries to address priority zoonosis. Although FAO work contributes to all action GHSA packages, its support is focussing on 5 actions packages namely Zoonotic diseases, national laboratory system, Biosafety & Biosecurity, Antimicrobial resistance and Workforce Development.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Liberia, the technical Leadership of the ECTAD Country team leader, supported by the International Epidemiologist, provide technical and advisory support to the Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) on matters pertaining to animal health, including surveillance, epidemiology, diseases control, reporting, preparation of technical materials, presentations and reports.

Technical Focus

Within the framework of the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Operations (ECTAD), the FAO country office in Liberia is implementing the GHSA/GHSP activities to improve the surveillance system for animal diseases/zoonosis, laboratory diagnosis, and reduce risk behaviours through appropriate measures. These efforts should improve capacity for prevention, detection and response to priority zoonotic diseases, but also put in place a system for improving real time bio-surveillance system in high risk areas. The National Animal Health/Epidemiology Specialist will primarily contribute to implementation of activities under the zoonosis action package.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Animal Health/Epidemiology Specialist will undertake the following:

• Participate in the development and implementation of training programs for Surveillance officers, Livestock officers, Quarantine officers, Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) trainings and other players in the integrated ADSR; • Support the roll out and use of EMAi/EMPRESi and other relevant information systems and IT tools by field workers; • Guide and participate in disease outbreak investigation and response, and implementation of Good Emergency Management Practice (GEMP) in general; • Support the preparation and timely submission of Animal health reports, including surveillance, epidemiology and diseases control reports to relevant National and International organizations including FAO (Monthly Disease situation report), WOAH (WAHIS monthly, biannual and annual report), AU-IBAR (ARIS monthly report) etc; • Support the FAO-ECTAD unit in the implementation of its project activities and liaison with its partners and relevant agencies in all matters related priority zoonotic diseases and high impact animal health emergencies and development of the livestock sector in Liberia; • Contribute in the preparation of project documents, work plans, progress reports, procurement plan, Letter of agreements (LoAs), monitoring and evaluation, mid-term and final project reports to be submitted for donors, partners as required; • Perform other relevant duties as may be assigned by the ECTAD Country Team Leader and/or requested by the CVO (and the Director of the Epidemiology Unit) of the MOA.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in veterinary medicine or Animal Health Sciences and post-graduate study in epidemiology or related fields. • At least Five years of relevant experience in animal health activities in Liberia. • Working knowledge of English • Liberian Citizen

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extensive knowledge on veterinary epidemiology (surveys, tools and investigations). • Extensive knowledge of the main aspects of prevention and control of priority zoonotic diseases, high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases. • Extensive experience in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of surveillance networks of animal diseases in Africa. • Experience working with national governmental technical agencies, civil society organizations, and other international technical partners (preferred). • Working knowledge of MS office and relevant IT tools and software. • Excellent communication, networking, written and presentation skills. • Familiarity with United Nations System and/or FAO’s programming mechanisms.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.