National Consultant (One Health)

Organizational Setting

The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be carried out through FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), which is currently implementing a number of projects in various countries in Africa. Within the ECTAD framework, the Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) is closely working with the Emergency and Resilience Division (PSE) under the Strategic Program 5 (SP5) to support various aspects of the animal health program of FAO, including the Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT-2) and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Programs. The GHSA program promotes the prevention of new zoonotic disease emergence; the early detection of new threats when they do emerge and; their timely and effective control. For effective Management of the zoonotic diseases, a strong link involving the animal, public health and environmental sectors through a One Health approach is fundamental. This involves fostering collaboration between key players in addressing the origins of the high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease, prevention early detection, response, and the importance of tackling pandemics at source. In Uganda, the FAO GHSA project is focussing on 7 priority endemic zoonotic diseases, namely\: anthrax, avian influenza, brucellosis, haemorrhagic fevers (CCHF, Ebola, Marburg, and RVF), plague, rabies, and trypanosomosis. Many outbreaks continue to be registered in Uganda hence the need for emergency preparedness to control infection at source. This can only be achieved through multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination through a sustained One Health approach.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will be under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Uganda, the technical supervision of the Chief, AGAH, within the framework of FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) and immediate supervision of the Country Team Leader.

Support FAO’s (ECTAD) country team, technical and management leadership and advisory services on the implementation of One Health (OH) activities with the key sectors (Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water and Environment and Uganda Wildlife Authority).

• Develop a plan of action for the One Health National Task Force (NOTF) to support OH operationalization in Uganda
• Develop a national strategy to roll out the FAO/OIE/WHO Tripartite Zoonotic Guide including the adoption of the Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) approach
• Support the work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to strengthen One Health activities in collaboration with the key sectors i.e. public health, environment and wildlife at national and sub national levels
• Lead the Joint Risk Assessment of priority zoonotic diseases (Anthrax, zoonotic influenza viruses, Viral haemorrhagic fevers, Brucellosis, African trypanosomosis, Plaque and Rabies) at National and Sub-national levels
• Support the capacity to strengthen Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and implementation of AMR National Action Plan in collaboration with other key stakeholders
• Support the strengthening of National One Health Platform and the National One Health technical working group through improvement of OH governance by fast tracking the development of OH policy and rolling out the communication strategy
• Support the strengthening of the Zoonotic Disease Coordination Office (ZDCO) to manage zoonotic disease outbreaks and hold regular meetings based on the multi-sectoral approach at National and Sub-national levels including After Action Reviews (AARs)
• Lead the conduct on zoonotic disease outbreak investigations in collaboration with multi-sectoral government and private institutions and other technical partners
• Provide epidemiological intelligence on priority zoonotic disease outbreaks and TADs (Food and Mouth disease, African Swine fever, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia and Peste petits des Ruminants)
• Prepare monthly progress reports on One Health trainings at National and Sub-national levels conducted by FAO in collaboration with other partners that include WHO, government ministries (MAAIF, MoH, UWA, MoEW)
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the FAO Country Representative and FAO’s ECTAD Country Team Leader

• Advanced degree in Veterinary Medicine/Sciences.
• S/He must have at least 15 years of relevant experience in Animal Disease Control at National Level in Uganda.
• Proficiency in English is required.
• National of Uganda.

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with national and regional institutions and mechanisms of responding to animal disease emergencies.
• Experience on implementation of One Health activities across sectors
• Experience in testing and review of preparedness plans
• Excellent computer and report writing skills; and
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.