Veterinary Laboratory Specialist – Bovine tuberculosis

Overview

Lead the testing and eradication of bovine tuberculosis in Bahrain cattle.

You have:

• University degree in Veterinary with postgraduate qualification in veterinary epidemiology, infectious diseases, or veterinary public health.
• 5 years of relevant experience in veterinary laboratory techniques, preferably hands-on experience in bovine TB diagnosis such as INF-γ releasing assay (IGRA), tuberculin skin test, Ab ELISA, culture isolation.
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has formulated the project “Support to eradication of animal diseases and zoonosis and conservation of animal genetic resources in the Kingdom of Bahrain” as a Unilateral Trust Fund project within the context of the UN Strategic Program Framework with the Government of Bahrain. The FAO technical and advisory assistance provided within this project will reinforce the capacity of the staff of Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning of the Kingdom in undertaking large-scale surveillance, field and lab capacities, risk assessment, disease contingency planning, eradication scheme design and campaign, as well as compensation for losses. A component of the project will strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration for zoonosis (tuberculosis and brucellosis) control. The FAO Sub-regional Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council States and Yemen (SNG) in coordination with the project’s National Project Coordinator and support from the Lead Technical Unit in the FAO Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) is implementing the project. FAO is seeking Veterinary Laboratory Specialist with specialty in Bovine tuberculosis to lead the testing and eradication of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance/supervision of the FAO-SNG Coordinator and the direct technical supervision of SNG Senior Livestock Development Officer, the Consultant will work closely with the UN Country Office in Bahrain and the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, in particular with the Undersecretary for Animal Wealth. For the nature of the work, technical consultations will involve SNG, NSA and relevant FAO Strategic Programs and Technical Divisions and all other stakeholders and Government counterparts involved in the eradication of bovine tuberculosis in Bahrain’s cattle population (ca. 7880 heads).

Technical Focus

The incumbent will lead the path for eradication by testing and culling bovine TB reactive animals with compensation following established protocols (by serial testing of cattle with Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) assay, comparative tuberculin test as well as serology with Ab ELISA for clinically sick animals).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide capacity building training in the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis, • Screen 7 000 heads of cattle for bovine tuberculosis using interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)-based on whole blood culture • Undertake the single intradermal cervical comparative test (SICCTT) on IGRA-positive dairy cattle for further confirmation of bovine tuberculosis cases • Based on clinical history, test clinically sick animals exhibiting marked signs with Ab ELISA (serology) • Undertake post-mortem examination of cattle that are positive for bovine tuberculosis on the basis of SICCTT • Undertake analysis and interpretation of epidemiological data required (IGRA and SICCTT data) for the test-and-cull scheme for eradicating the disease in dairy cattle. • Provide training on risk analysis for prevention, control and veterinary extension for bovine TB • Design cost-efficient compensation scheme, supervise the implementation of the culling of reactors and their safe disposal • Design long-term National Bovine TB Eradication Plan towards bovine TB-free Kingdom of Bahrain

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Veterinary degree with postgraduate qualification in veterinary epidemiology, infectious diseases, or veterinary public health. • 5 years of relevant experience in veterinary laboratory techniques, preferably hands-on experience in bovine TB diagnosis such as INF-γ releasing assay (IGRA), tuberculin skin test, Ab ELISA, culture isolation. • Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian. (for PSA it can be required only one language)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work • Extent and relevance of experience in bovine tuberculosis • Extent and relevance of experience in relevant laboratory techniques • Familiarity with the context of livestock production and health in the dry areas and particularly of Gulf countries

Selection Criteria

• Extent of knowledge on veterinary laboratory techniques, particularly in bovine TB diagnosis and control • Extent of capacity building skills in evidence-based risk analysis, livestock production in the dry areas, control and eradication of zoonotic diseases • Extent of knowledge in technical report writing.

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org