National Epidemiologist

Organizational Setting

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations with 194 Member Nations, working in more than 130 countries worldwide. In Malawi, where the Organization has operated since 1986, FAO's principal role is to support the Government in identifying, planning, and implementing priority activities aligned with the country's short- and long-term development aspirations.
This support is guided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF), which focuses on three interrelated priority areas:
• Agriculture and food system transformation.
• Sustainable natural resources and the environment; and
• Improved resilience and emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

The incumbent's work will primarily contribute to the third priority area of the CPF.
FAO Malawi is collaborating with the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development (DAHLD), the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM), the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF under the approved third call of the Pandemic Fund for Malawi. The project, titled "Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response through the One Health Approach in Malawi (SP3ROHAM)", aims to strengthen national systems to prevent, detect, and respond to epidemic and pandemic threats through improved surveillance, laboratory systems, and capacity development. FAO serves as one of the Implementing Entities and will work with designated delivery partners to implement the project from August 2026 to 2029.
The project focuses on three key areas:
• Surveillance and early warning systems
• Development and enhancement of systems for the prompt detection of potential pandemic threats.
• Laboratory systems
• Strengthening laboratory capacity to diagnose priority pathogens and respond effectively to outbreaks.
• Capacity development:
• Strengthening the skills and competencies of national institutions and personnel to better prepare for and manage One Health emergencies.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi and the functional supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme), the incumbent will report directly to the Programme Officer (Animal Health). Technical guidance will be provided by the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and Team Leader for the Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa (SFS), the Coordinating Unit for Animal Production and Health (CUFAPH), and relevant thematic team leads within CUFAPH (including One Health, DICER, and VLC). Further technical guidance will be provided by the Regional and Headquarters Pandemic Fund teams. The National Epidemiologist will work in close collaboration with technical and operational colleagues within the FAO Representation and with regional and global project teams.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical leadership and coordination for the implementation of Pandemic Fund project components related to (i) surveillance and early warning systems and (ii) capacity development. The incumbent will support the generation, analysis, and use of animal health and One Health surveillance information to strengthen preparedness and response for priority zoonotic diseases and other emerging threats, contributing to evidence-based planning, reporting, and knowledge products.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and/or review of national strategies, emergency preparedness and response plans, and programmes for the management of high-impact priority zoonotic diseases (PZDs), as well as emerging, re-emerging, and other priority animal diseases, in line with national priorities, the Country Programming Framework (CPF), and FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–31.
• Design and coordinate the implementation of surveillance activities for PZDs and other priority animal diseases, including emerging and re-emerging threats, to mitigate the current and potential impact of diseases in Malawi. This includes:
o Supporting the preparation of annual work plans and detailed implementation plans (DIPs), including technical inputs, sequencing, and monitoring milestones.
o Coordinating technical workshops to strengthen epidemiological functions and animal health interventions, including the introduction of innovative approaches to address national and regional priority diseases.
o Facilitating and supporting the implementation of recommendations from assessment missions of the national surveillance system (e.g. SET, EMT, JRA, and related assessments) in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
o Contributing to the development, adaptation, and implementation of epidemiological protocols and standard operating procedures in targeted livestock production systems and relevant value chains.
o Planning, organizing, and delivering capacity development for in-service professionals using field epidemiology training and participatory epidemiology approaches, targeting veterinarians, animal health technicians, community animal health workers, farmers, and, where appropriate, public health and environmental health stakeholders.
o Conducting or supporting risk assessments and supervising in-country technical missions on epidemiological investigations to ensure quality, timeliness, and effective follow-up of findings and recommendations.
• Organize stakeholder consultations and support the development and/or review of animal health and related policy frameworks and instruments in Malawi.
• Coordinate delivery of the Human Resource Action Package under the Global Health Security Programme, in collaboration with relevant national counterparts and partners.
o In close consultation with relevant sectors and stakeholders, support the adoption and roll-out of the In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) programme.
o Support additional capacity development activities (planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation) in collaboration with sub-regional, regional, and global FAO technical teams and partners.
o Design, deliver, and evaluate capacity development activities for government staff and livestock value chain actors, including topics related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), surveillance, zoonotic diseases, and workforce development.
o Coordinate periodic assessments of capacity development initiatives within the Department of Veterinary Services, including documentation of results and lessons learned.
o Coordinate Continuing Professional Veterinary Education (CPD) initiatives in collaboration with the Malawi Veterinary Council and the Malawi Veterinary Association, including the establishment of an accreditation process to guide the award of CPD points for in-service courses.
• In close consultation with relevant sectors and stakeholders, support the operationalization of the epidemiological component of the national One Health platform to strengthen multisectoral collaboration.
• Promote strong linkages between FAO activities and the Ministries responsible for animal, public, and environmental health, as well as other relevant Ministries and technical partners.
• Provide regular updates on the epidemiological situation of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) and other priority threats in the country, and draft technical briefs, success stories, and other knowledge products as required, including support for scientific publications where appropriate.
• Coordinate surveillance activities with laboratory counterparts to ensure successful operationalization of the epi-lab network system at national and regional levels.
• Participate in animal health emergency preparedness and contingency planning exercises, including simulation exercises (table-top, field, etc.).
• Provide technical inputs for the development of an electronic animal disease reporting system and information sharing.
• Assist in the organization of planned training workshops, simulation exercises, after-action reviews, and technical meetings.
• Participate in monthly SFS-CUFAPH coordinating calls and contribute to epidemiological intelligence at national and regional levels.
• Provide technical inputs for resource mobilization efforts at the country and regional levels.
• Submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment to the Project Officer (Animal Health) and the FAOR.

• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Veterinary Epidemiology or Epidemiology or Veterinary Medicine or Public Health.
• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in areas such as epidemiology; surveillance system design and implementation; animal health emergency preparedness and response; training design and delivery; monitoring and evaluation of capacity development; data analysis; operational research; policy support; One Health coordination; and stakeholder engagement.
• Working knowledge (level C) of the English language.
• National of Malawi

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in veterinary epidemiology, surveillance system design, and implementation for zoonotic and animal diseases.
• Experience in developing and delivering capacity-building initiatives, including field epidemiology training and continuing professional development, for animal health and public health professionals.
• Proven experience in coordinating and strengthening multisectoral collaborations within a One Health framework, involving government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners.
• Knowledge and experience in the analysis and use of epidemiological data for evidence-based planning, reporting, and policy development in the context of animal and public health.
• Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors, particularly in the context of animal health and One Health initiatives in Malawi.
• Knowledge and experience of the animal health and public health landscape in Malawi is an advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION