National Specialist in Epidemiology

Organizational Setting

The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be carried out through the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), which is currently implementing a number of projects in various countries in Africa, Asia and Middle East. Within the ECTAD framework, the Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) is closely working with the Office of Emergency and Resilience (OER) under the Strategic Program 5 to support various aspects of the animal health Programme of FAO, including the USAID-funded Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT-2) and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Programme. Since 2015, USAID has been investing in building surveillance systems and capacities for EPT2/GHSA supported projects and countries.

Reporting Lines

The National Epidemiology Expert will work under the overall guidance of the ECTAD Regional Manager in West and central Africa, FAO Representative (FAO-R) in Cameroon, the direct supervision of the ECTAD Cameroon Team Leader, the direct technical supervision of the regional and FAO HQ Epidemiologists of ECTAD/AGAH, and in close collaboration with the FAO Programme in the country and ECTAD West Africa Regional team.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the implementation of ECATD programme activities and projects design.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will undertake the following specific duties and responsibilities:

• Contribute to the preparation of national strategies and management programs for emerging and re-emerging, zoonotic and non-zoonotic high impact diseases in line with national priorities and FAO strategic objectives;
• Support the design and participate in the implementation of national strategies and programs / projects following the strategies developed by EMPRES / ECTAD and in line with the FAO / OIE Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases and regional priorities. To this end, the expert must in particular:
• Contribute to the design and implementation of surveillance activities for emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases at the human population-domestic animal-wildlife interface in order to better understand and mitigate the high impact real or potential diseases in Cameroon,
• Participate in the preparation of workshops involving key players in animal health and facilitate discussions and the development of surveillance programs appropriate to the diseases targeted by the EPT-2/GHSA programme,
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of a national animal disease surveillance plan in livestock including surveillance protocols (epidemiological sampling) in targeted livestock systems, value chains and human population-domestic animal-wildlife interfaces,
• Plan, organize and implement (i) capacity building activities for the national surveillance system (Veterinary Services including private veterinarians, animal health technicians, community workers, etc.) and (ii) field epidemiology / participatory epidemiology),
• Evaluate the animal health surveillance system in collaboration with the ECTAD team, the Directorate of Veterinary Services and key partners,
• Evaluate the risks at the human population - domestic animals - wildlife interface, particularly in the sites selected for surveillance. This assessment will be made in collaboration with the ECTAD team, the Directorate of Veterinary Services and key partners,
• Organize and facilitate expert missions on epidemiological surveillance in the country,
• Provide regular information on the epidemiological situation of transboundary animal diseases and the measures taken for the prevention and control of diseases,
• Initiate and / or contribute to the preparation of scientific articles and reports on ECTAD activities in Cameroon, - Participate in the preparation and planning of emergency missions and simulation exercises;
• Support the establishment / strengthening of exchanges with those in charge of national disease surveillance networks, including the sharing of information on the epidemiological situation of priority animal diseases;
• Participate in the development of animal health projects in the priority areas identified by the Government;
• Contribute to the preparation of reports on time, following requests from Governments, FAO and donors;
• Contribute to the preparation and revision of technical reports at the request of the FAO Representative and the ECTAD Team Leader;
• Contribute to the collection and regular update of the epidemiological situation of diseases as well as the immediate notification to GLEWS of all-important epidemiological events;
• Submit a final technical report at the end of the mission to the FAO Representative and the ECTAD Team Leader in Cameroon;
• Perform other related duties.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Nationals of Cameroon ;
• Veterinary degree with postgraduate qualification in epidemiology sciences;
• At least 5 years of proven experience in animal diseases investigation and outbreaks management;
• Proficiency in French and English language;
• Experience in international institution, NGOs, etc. is an advantage.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Have at least 5 years of experience in epidemiological surveillance activities for transboundary animal diseases,
• Good knowledge of the livestock sector and One health approach in Cameroon;
• Good knowledge of health databases and Global Health Security Agenda programme (GHSA);
• Ability to conduct and report disease outbreak investigation and risk factors assessment and mapping,
• Ability to work under pressure, meet short deadlines for the implementation of activities with minimal supervision;
• Demonstrate good communication and writing skills, great initiative and perfect ability to work in a team and under pressure with minimum supervision;
• Have a perfect command of the French language (spoken and written) and have an average knowledge of English.
• Master the computer tool including current software Excel, Word, Power point etc.
• Be of Cameroonian nationality or have a work permit in the host country;
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams in a multicultural environment;
• Knowledge of the system of activities of the Agencies of the United Nations System will be an asset.
• Knowledge and skills in Cameroonians livestock and outbreaks mapping and reporting;
• Proven experience in epi data collection and management, project design and reporting;
• Proven experience in field staff training design and implementation;