National Consultant - To review SOPs for National samples referral System

Organizational Settings FAO supports USAID’s Global Health Security investments through zoonotic disease preparedness and response, strengthening national laboratory systems, improving biosafety and biosecurity, scaling up workforce development, and reducing antimicrobial resistance. In Tanzania, the GHSA has been implemented since 2016 with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding with significant milestones along with the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) ladder in accordance with International Health Regulations (IHR) and requirements for World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). GHSA is implemented through FAO’s Emergency Centre for the Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD). In addition, aims at developing capacity for preventing, detecting, and responding to Priority Zoonotic Diseases (PZDs) threats. This is directed towards strengthening the capacities of partner countries to reduce the risk and impact of epidemic-prone infectious disease threats and outbreaks. Within the action package National Laboratory System, a formal structure for the referral and transport of diagnostic samples can facilitate rapid diagnosis and laboratory confirmation, thus reducing the time for reporting of new cases, or an emerging outbreak, as well as improving safe and secure sample management. Therefore, FAO will support the National veterinary laboratory service to review SOPs for National sample referral system.

Reporting Lines The National Consultant will work under the overall supervision of Senior Animal Health Officer, Head, and Global Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), the functional and administrative oversight of the FAO Representative in Tanzania, direct technical supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader and the National Laboratory Expert.

Technical Focus As part of the activities of the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (FAO-ECTAD), the consultant will work closely with the Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA), FAO ECTAD Country Team Leader, National Laboratory Expert to support the country to review the document for the strengthening the reception and distribution of the samples. The national consultant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities;

Tasks and responsibilities: • Review the SOP for sample referral network within animal health stakeholders during transporting sample/results sharing within the country under one health approach; • Identify gaps in the existing network of service providers; • Re-Map sample referral sites that are linked to a network of animal health testing laboratories for outreach to other animal health facilities; • Identify the alternative components to be considered when establishing a platform for a sample referral network in Tanzanian animal health laboratory settings; • Advice on how to integrate and leveraging currently existing sample referral systems in the country using the centralized or decentralized; • Incorporate Laboratory Waste Management Plan (WMP) component and sample collection, storage and transportation using developed training packages in the reviewed SOP; • Submit final reviewed SOP for presentation in the stakeholder’s validation meeting.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Hold a degree in veterinary medicine or related disciplines, or degree in public health, Laboratory Management, and Molecular biology. A master’s degree in above related fields will be an added advantage. • Have a minimum of five (5) years professional experience in the implementation of animal health and human health emergency programs; strengthening of health systems support, technical and or institutional and organizational support for laboratory management; • Candidates should be Tanzanian or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Have experience in laboratory management, emergency response, and good knowledge of government working system • Have experience in co-operation with the Public Administration (Veterinary Services, Public Health Services, • Have technical, institutional and organizational capacity in the area of diseases detection and diagnostics and laboratory management; • Have experience on supporting process to develop or review governance manual, SOPs, legal frameworks or guideline; • Be able to draft reports clearly, concisely, and good oral and written communication skills. • Be able to work in English and Kiswahili • Excellent computer skills.