NATIONAL LABORATORY SPECIALIST- SC9

Organizational Setting

This position is located in the FAO Representation in Kenya

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will be under the overall supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer and ECTAD Global Coordinator, the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya, and the direct supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader in Kenya, and in collaboration with the ECTAD regional laboratory expert for Eastern Africa and the ECTAD Kenya team.

Technical Focus

Strengthen national capacities for detection and diagnosis of priority diseases, biosafety and biosecurity measures, antimicrobial resistance and laboratory information system and networking.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to the preparation of country strategies and programme for the management of high impact priority zoonotic diseases (PZDs), as well as emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease in line with the national priorities and FAO’s Strategic framework 2022-2031 • Contribute to the design and implementation of national strategies and programmes/projects, in line with the FAO/ OIE Global Framework for the Progressive Control of TADs and Regional priorities • Coordinate the implementation of activities relevant to laboratory aspects of the USAID GHSA/EPT-2 programme as a basis to mitigate the high (current/potential) impact of PZDs, emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases and AMR in Kenya. These include:

o Contribute in the framing and the implementation of diagnostic protocols to support surveillance plans o Ensure effective implementation of laboratory testing protocols for pathogen bio surveillance as per ECTAD Kenya country work plans o Supervise the assessment of national laboratory veterinary capacity for pathogen testing of samples from livestock and livestock products o Link epidemiological and laboratory findings including positive epidemiological results with virus sequence accession number o Participate in country expert missions on field investigations o Liaise with the DVS and CVL for sample collection from livestock in targeted livestock farming systems, and at critical points along the value chains and at domestic animals-wildlife interfaces using appropriate biosafety/biosecurity measures o Support the collaboration between veterinary laboratory staff and field epidemiologists; o Supervise the preparation of lists of appropriate laboratory items for procurement for Kenya, along with draft technical specifications, taking into account laboratory requests when needed and monitor their good delivery to beneficiary laboratories.

• Support capacity development of national laboratories through

o Facilitation of training programs for laboratory personnel on new laboratory techniques/tools such as LMT, ATLASS, diagnostic techniques o Assist in the organization of planned training workshops, simulation exercise and meetings and other technical meetings, as needed o Support country participation to Proficiency Tests o Contribute to Laboratory capacity assessments using the FAO laboratory mapping tool (LMT) and development of strategy for capacity development of national laboratories o Participate in animal health emergency preparedness and contingency planning exercises, or table top scenarios

o Support the establishment and strengthening of a functional national epidemiology and laboratory network in Kenya o In consultation with relevant national partners, prepare specifications for the procurement of laboratory consumables and related non-expendable equipment o Develop a laboratory inventory sheet to enable real-time monitoring of expendable supplies used in diagnostic testing o Participate in weekly epi-lab weekly coordination call, provide regular updates of TADs epidemiology situation immediate notification to the ECTAD Kenya Team Leader, of any significant diagnostic test results o Preparation of regular reports on the progress of the implementation of projects implemented by ECTAD Kenya for FAO, donors or other stakeholders o ECTAD resource mobilization efforts to support sustainability of diagnostic laboratory work

• Submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment to the ECTAD Country Team Leader Perform other related duties as required by the Team Leader

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Biomedical Sciences or related field • Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in animal health laboratory activities • Working knowledge of English and Swahili • National of Kenya

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent technical report writing skills • Extensive knowledge of the main aspects of prevention and control of high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases • Extensive experience in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of laboratory programs and surveillance including leading a process of laboratory capacity building

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
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/