NATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST

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.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Kenya

Reporting Lines

Within the framework of the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Operations (ECTAD), the incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the ECTAD Regional Manager for Eastern Africa region, the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and the direct supervision of the ECTAD Kenya Team Leader, and in collaboration with the ECTAD Kenya and Regional teams.

Strengthening national capacities for early detection, preparedness and rapid response to emerging, re-emerging and endemic priority zoonotic diseases and rollout of In-service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) programme.

• Contribute to the preparation of country strategies and programme for the management of high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases in line with the national priorities and FAO’s Strategic Objectives
• Participate in and support the design and implementation of national strategies and programmes/projects following EMPRES/ECTAD strategies, in line with the FAO/ OIE Global Framework for the Progressive Control of TADs and Regional priorities
• Support the design, coordination and implementation of surveillance activities relevant to emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases as well as AMR at the livestock-wildlife-human interface to mitigate the high (current/potential) impact of diseases in Kenya. These include\:
• Supporting appropriate stakeholder workshops and facilitate discussion and development of a surveillance approach that addresses national and regional priority diseases to target through a surveillance program.
• Support the drafting of a concept note, LOA, preparation and implementation of national surveillance plan for priority zoonotic diseases (PZDs) in livestock.
• Contribute to development and the implementation of surveillance protocols (epidemiological sampling) from livestock in targeted livestock farming systems, value chains and at domestic animals-wildlife interfaces.
• Plan, organize and implement capacity development of in-service professionals through the use of field epidemiology training and participatory epidemiology approaches targeting veterinarians, animal health technicians, community animal health workers, farmers, and where appropriate, public health or other stakeholders/partners.
• Conduct risk assessments at the human/livestock/wildlife interface and supervise in-country expert missions on epidemio-surveillance.
• Contribute to development and implementation of AMR surveillance protocols from livestock in priority livestock value chains.
• Organize stakeholders’ meetings and lead the process for the development of animal health and related strategies and plans in Kenya.
• In close consultation with relevant sectors and stakeholders, initiate a national zoonotic disease control program to serve as an entry point for a functional inter-sectoral One Health collaboration.
• Facilitate implementation of the GHSA project and other related ECTAD projects, namely the regional OH project and other DTRA-funded projects.
• In close consultation with relevant sectors and stakeholders, facilitate the adoption and roll-out of In-service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) programme as an entry point to strengthen the animal health workforce at national and sub-national levels.
• Facilitate closer linkages of the GHSA, EPT-2 program and other ECTAD projects (DTRA, Irish RVF, etc) with relevant Ministries and other technical partners.
• Provide regular updates on project activities and prepare draft web articles on technical accomplishments as needed.
• Provide immediate notification to the ECTAD Kenya Team Leader and GLEWS of any significant epidemiological events and contribute to epidemiological intelligence at National and Regional levels.
• Support and strengthen a functional national epidemiology and laboratory networks.
• Participate in animal health emergency preparedness and contingency planning exercises, or table top scenarios.
• Assist in the organization of planned training workshops, simulation exercise and technical meetings.
• Contribute to the preparation of regular reports on the progress of the implementation of projects implemented by ECTAD Kenya for FAO, donors or other stakeholders.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts through developing project concept notes and proposals that aim to mitigate the impacts of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (rEIDs), non-zoonotic diseases and AMR.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Advanced university degree in Veterinary Epidemiology/Science/Medicine.
• 5 years of relevant working experience and with proven experience in design and implementation of epidemiological studies
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Kenya

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in quantitative data analysis
• Extent and relevance of experience in the design and evidence of implementation of cross sectional and longitudinal studies
• Effective written presentation skills, particularly ability to present epidemiological data in a concise, logical and accurate manner
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries
• Good judgment and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness to ensure adequate articulation of data and reports
• Evidence of previous publications and /or technical reports