National Field Specialist ( FMD Epidemiology)

Organizational Setting

This position is in FMD-FAO Project Office Islamabad, Pakistan. 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 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 overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Pakistan (FAOR), and under direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and Assistant FAOR (Program); the incumbent will be responsible for the below mentioned tasks and responsibilities.

Technical Focus:

• The Field Specialist will be a part of the FMD-FAO Project Team.
• Analyse FMD data available with the project for scientific publications and developing FMD control strategy in Pakistan.
• Undertake value chain analysis of selected livestock sectors and identify risk hotspots and develop specific control options

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Improve in-use Standard Operating Procedures on FMD outbreak reporting and response.
• Review the existing awareness material developed for field veterinary staff and livestock owners and upgrade the contents.
• Prepare and conduct training module for veterinarians to be involved in outbreak investigation at Tehsil / District level.
• Undertake outbreak investigation of selected FMD outbreaks.
• In collaboration with other technical staff, design and undertake monitoring of vaccine efficacy.
• Maintain record of all FMD outbreaks reported during the project period
• Perform any other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum qualification should be Postgraduate degree in epidemiology with basic degree in veterinary science
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience
• Track record of scientific writings
• A working knowledge of the English language and ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams is essential.
• National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Willingness to undertake field visits when required in remote environments and interact with different stakeholders,
• Experience in similar settings would be considered a distinct advantage

· Understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO would be considered an added asset

• Good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations
• Display initiative and take responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and closely follow-up until successful outputs are achieved.
• Continue to seek new, innovative and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work assigned.

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above