National Technical Advisor – Information Systems

The project OSRO/BGD/505/USA seeks to support the Government of Bangladesh at different levels to contribute in improving food security and public health through strengthened veterinary services in Bangladesh. This project will focus on a package of interventions specifically tailored to address the challenges identified. ECTAD Bangladesh will liaise with the veterinary faculties of Bangladeshi Universities to support the development of a revised disease control curriculum that will serve as a solid technical foundation for preparing university lecturers and processors as well as field trainers. The project also aims to provide nationwide support to laboratories for improved diagnostic capacity and influenza antigenic characterization for vaccine monitoring, train and equip field and laboratory officers in the surveillance SOPs, facilitate training of laboratory and field staff on PREDICT protocols for EID virus and AMR detection (funded by PREDICT-2) and evaluate, repair and calibrate laboratory equipment as needed. The effectiveness of these interventions will be enhanced through ECTAD Bangladesh’s role as coordination of Global Health Security Agenda EPT-2/GHSA activities in Bangladesh, with a particular focus on demonstrating improved disease control as proof of principle of the value of One Health in action.

The information within this programme will be captured and managed within an integrated information system which will provide the data necessary for accessing impact at every level of programme implementation, from training activities at farm level, to reduce of disease-related risks at national level.

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Bangladesh, the technical guidance of the Chief Animal Health Service (AGAH) and direct supervision of the ECTAD Bangladesh Country Team Leader (CTL), in close coordination with the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), the incumbent will undertake the following duties\:

Support to implementation of FAO nutrition and food systems agenda at global, regional, sub regional and/or country level.

• provide technical support for the development of the Bangladesh Animal Health Intelligence System (BAHIS), including design and maintenance of modular information systems, data entry interfaces, and a web portal for data display and export;
• in collaboration with the training team, develop training materials and manuals for BAHIS users for data entry and use, specifically upazila-level government employees, laboratory personnel, and decision-makers at all levels of government;
• coordinate with the training team to roll out BAHIS across all designated sites in Bangladesh;
• support the DLS Epidemiology Unit to design and develop additional BAHIS modules, including outbreak investigation, immunizations, and inventory and logistics modules;
• provide technical backstopping for BAHIS users and troubleshoot problems as they arise;
• work closely with the DLS Epidemiology Unit and technical teams to provide database development and management support as needed;
• perform routine maintenance of all information systems established with FAO support;
• support the DLS Epidemiology Unit and FAO technical teams in the analysis of data as needed;
• support the DLS Epidemiology Unit and FAO technical teams in the development of disease maps and other GIS-related activities; and
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in database analysis, software programming, computer science, or related subject. Master’s degree with a concentration in information systems preferred;
• Previous experience in database programming and management;
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and fluency in Bengali.
• National of Bangladesh
• Information Security Awareness - Foundational certificate (https\://training.dss.un.org/course/category/4) or equivalent

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extensive knowledge of City Governance frameworks related to legislation, policy, and regulation in Bangladesh;
• Experience of working within or with state structures on similar issues would be of advantage;
• Skills in advocacy, tact and a high degree of discretion and integrity;
• Demonstrated competency in planning, facilitating, and executing project activities;
• Demonstrated competency in capacity building and training
• High-level managerial, supervisory, analytical and negotiating skills;
• Excellent ability to communicate in a credible and effective manner;
• Proficiency in SQL Server Reporting Services, Oracle and Microsoft Excel;
• Proficiency working in Javascript, React, Electron and Python;
• Previous experience with training module development is preferred but not required;
• Ability to work efficiently with minimal direct supervision;
• Interpersonal and communication skills to maintain good working relationships with people from different nationalities and culture backgrounds;