Veterinary Expert

Organizational Setting:

Mauritius is a small island found in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar. The Total population of Mauritius is nearly 1.2 Million people and the total livestock population in Mauritius include 6,000 cattle, 22,000 pigs and 25,000 sheep and goats. Local production of animal sourced protein is important to maintain food security and also to satisfy the local demand for live animal to be slaughtered during religious ceremonies.

The outbreak of FMD (type O) in 2016 and its resurgence in 2021 has a significant impact on the livestock sector in Mauritius.

In this context, FAO granted a technical assistance through an emergency project TCP /MAR/3803: technical emergency support on FMD surveillance and control in Mauritius.

One of the main activities of the project is to control the spread of FMD, for which recruitment of an FMD expert to assist in the implementation of the project. In view thereof a Terms of Reference has been prepared

Reporting Lines:

Veterinary Expert work under the overall supervision of the FAO National Correspondent and the Lead Technical Office (LTO) of the project. The consultant/PSA will work for Livestock and Veterinary Division and technical supervision of the Principal Veterinary Officer of the Livestock and Veterinary Division (LVD). The consultant/PSA will work closely with the project coordinator and officers of the Livestock and Veterinary Division.

Technical Focus:

Prevention and control of Foot and mouth diseases

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in conducting FMD related sensitization and awareness campaigns
• Collect and document data on vaccination program
• Capacity building and training of staff
• Prepare dossier for submission to the OIE for freedom from FMD
• Document and collect all data pertaining to, vaccination matching vaccination program, virus circulation, control and eradication strategies adopted in Mauritius and other collect any other relevant data needed for compiling the dossier for submission to the OIE for freedom from FMD
• Publish the data as an article in a peer reviewed or FAO journal.
• Assist the LVD to satisfy the conditions of the OIE so as to be recognized free from FMD such as:
• Provide hands on training of veterinary officers on field and at the laboratory
• Provide training of laboratory staffs for collection of samples, diagnostics methods, collection of data
• Assist the laboratory to participate in proficiency testing for FMD diagnosis
• Guide on necessary procurement of equipment and drafting specifications of equipment
• Participate in stakeholders meeting and sensitization programs

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Working knowledge of English or French and limited knowledge of one of the other two (for Consultants). For PSAs working knowledge of English or French.
• A minimum of University degree in veterinary medicine or science. A postgraduate degree is an advantage.
• At least 10 years in disease surveillance and laboratory diagnosis of diseases.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong administrative and organisational skills,
• Computer literacy
• Ability to provide team leadership and motivation
• Has experience in submission of dossier for freedom of FMD to the OIE
• Has experience in collection, analysis and publishing of data an article in peer reviewed journals
• Has proven experience in FMD control and Eradication for at least 10 years

Selection Criteria

• The person is a registered veterinarian