Technical Advisor - Epidemiology

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background, and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations, and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

FAO Bangladesh assists the Government to formulate policies, programme and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and utilize environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way. It contributes to the development of FAO’s field programme projects in the country and implements them in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development.

FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease (ECTAD) has been actively involved in both avian influenza and rabies control programmes in Bangladesh and in the region over the last 8 years, which reflects its ability to implement zoonotic disease control programmes involving both animal and human health, as well as public and private sector stakeholders.

FAO ECTAD has also been involved in building a network for veterinary faculties in the country, facilitating the development partnerships for undertaking research and providing teaching and learning opportunities for disease control and epidemiological studies.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Bangladesh, the direct supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader, and in close collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and implementing partners supporting the emergency response to COVID-19 in Bangladesh.)

Technical Focus

Provide epidemiological advice and related technical support for development and implementation of technically sound animal disease surveillance systems, zoonotic disease control programmes, and animal health information systems by the Government of Bangladesh.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical input for the collection, analysis and reporting of national animal health surveillance data in close collaboration with the DLS Epidemiology Unit;
• Technically support the disease control components of the ECTAD Bangladesh programme, including on avian influenza, lumpy skin disease, rabies, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risk mitigation;
• Oversee the ECTAD Bangladesh Epidemiology and Laboratory Teams, including implementation and reporting of team activities, balancing workloads of national team members, and guiding international consultants;
• Oversee ongoing surveillance programs for zoonotic influenza and AMR organisms at live bird markets in Dhaka and Chattogram, as well as monitoring antimicrobial residues in selected food products;
• Provide technical support for the rollout of the Bangladesh Animal Health Intelligence System (BAHIS) to ensure high-quality data collection and reporting, including identification and introduction of laboratory information management system (LIMS) solution;
• Finalize reports and oversee develop peer-reviewed publications using epidemiologic information collected in completed and ongoing projects;
• Contribute to internal and external progress and related reports to donors, stakeholders, and government; perform other related duties as required.
• The incumbent shall familiarize him/herself with FAO’s corporate communication policy and operational guidelines to ensure mandatory coherence of all communication and information outputs.
• The incumbent shall demonstrate a strong understanding of FAO Style in drafting documentation, without the need for continuous correction or oversight.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in epidemiology, public health, or a related field;
• Advanced university degree in veterinary medicine preferred;
• Five years of relevant experience in transboundary animal disease prevention and control, animal health, animal production projects or programmes;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO Languages: Russian, Spanish, Chinese, French, Arabic (for Consultants)/ Working knowledge of English (for PSAs).

FAO Core Competencies

• Communications
• Results focus
• Teamwork
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in formulation, implementation, monitoring and management of One Health, wildlife-livestock, and/or zoonotic disease prevention and control;
• Level of experience working with counterparts from the ministries responsible for forestry, natural resource management, wildlife, environment, livestock, veterinary services, food safety and public health;
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience in zoonotic disease prevention and control, One health programmes and coordination, collaboration with regional organizations
• Experience of producing engaging and creative communications products to deadline.
• Ability to network and collaborate with a large and varied group of people.
• Proven ability to proactively and in teams.
• Experience in supervision of technical delivery of information systems
• Demonstrable technical and documentation writing skills;
• Level of experience in collaborating with counterparts from the Ministries responsible for wildlife, natural resource management, environment, food safety and public health.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including the ability to convey and present sensitive issues/positions.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to maintain good working relationships with people from different nationalities and culture backgrounds;

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