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National Epidemiology and Laboratory Specialist

Vientiane

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Vientiane
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Biology and Chemistry
    • FALAO
  • Closing Date: Closed

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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Organizational Setting

The Global Health Security Programme (GHSP) (October 2020 to September 2024) aims to strengthen animal health systems to reduce the risks and impacts of emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and bio-threats through an inclusive One Health approach. The focus areas of GHSP will be to improve multi-lateral and multi-sectoral collaboration among stakeholders; enhance preparedness of animal health services, including early warning and risk-based surveillance; improve response capacity to animal health threats; adopt good practices on risk reduction; and design planning and policy instruments based on operational research to better inform stakeholders. Under the GHPS, three national consultants are recruited to implement the activities of the programme.

Reporting lines


Under the overall administrative and functional guidance of the FAO Representative in Lao PDR, the operational guidance of the Operations Specialist, technical guidance of the ECTAD Regional Manager based in FAO RAP, and direct supervision of the National Project Director.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will closely collaborate with ECTAD- FAO staff at country and regional level as well as with government counterparts and other implementing partners and stakeholders. Specifically, the incumbent will take the following responsibilities to ensure the smooth implementation of the OSRO/LAO/002/USA project and other related regional projects:

Tasks and responsibilities

  • Assess the disease situation, and surveillance capacity and assist in strengthening these capacities;
  • With supports from ECTAD RAP, develop outbreak timeliness analysis, animal movement data collection and risk-based surveillance using risk assessment and value chain approaches in close collaboration with the epidemiology unit of the veterinary division;
  • Strengthen the linkage of laboratory and epidemiology at the central level;
  • Support the development of a curriculum for a field veterinary epidemiology training for DLF staffs at national and sub-national level including training of trainers and mentorship development and act as focal point on epidemiology trainings for central and field staffs;
  • Support staff from DLF to participate in Regional FETPV and relevant regional epidemiology networks, including the ASEAN Veterinary Epidemiology Group;
  • Support NAHL to review its human resource strategy in order to maintain its workforce capacity to conduct relevant diagnosis of priority animal and zoonotic diseases;
  • Support NAHL to participate in the regional animal health epidemiology and laboratory capacity development programs, including
    • the regional laboratory quality assurance, proficiency testing, biosafety improvement, and bioinformatics;
    • the regional Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians
  • Support NAHL to achieve ISO 17025 and regional reference laboratory accreditation;
  • Participate in field investigations with teams from government at central and provincial levels;
  • Assist in organization of sample collection, sample identification, packing, transporting and delivery of samples to the designated laboratory under adequate cold-chain conditions;
  • Continue to support sharing of information and biological samples through the relevant epidemiology and laboratory networks;
  • Develop and maintain reporting and early warning system by setting up epidemiology network at central and provincial level offices;
  • Identify gaps of exiting data or studies of animal health information to inform risk-based surveillance;
  • Support development of national animal health information and movement database;
  • Conduct regular value chain and risk assessment studies (utilization of animal health information) to inform risk-based surveillance;
  • Support relevant government authorities at national and sub-national level to implement risk-based surveillance system;
  • Review and strengthen the existing Rapid Respond Teams (RRTs) at all levels including development of refreshing training courses, and a monitoring system;
  • Adopt value chain approach to identify stakeholders and critical control points and risky practices;
  • Submit an end-of-assignment report upon completion of the assignment; and
  • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • University degree in veterinary science, epidemiology, laboratory science, virology, microbiology, food safety or related fields (Masters/PhD is advantage);
  • At least 3 years of relevant experience in epidemiology, microbiology and or project implementation;
  • Working knowledge in English;
  • National of Lao PDR.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

  • Quality of both oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to plan and organize institutional and technical work and support work of multi-disciplinary teams;
  • Extent of relevant experience in program/project management;
  • Experience in developing training materials, and delivery of training courses;
  • Demonstrated analytical, negotiating and advisory skills;
  • Computer literacy;
  • Specific experience of research, project management and organization of technical workshops or webinars;
  • Experience to work with government authorities.

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

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This vacancy is now closed.
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