Animal Health Epidemiologist

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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
Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) not only pose serious threat to the global animal and human health but also compromise sustainable development goals (SDGs) including but not limited to, food security, peoples’ livelihood, national, regional and global economies. FAO, NSAH is implementing global programs for control and response to re-incursion of TADs and assisting Members in developing national control plan, including the surveillance plan, and strengthening regional epidemiology and laboratory networks for better preparedness for TADs and the next pandemic. The incumbent will participate and lead activities in the development of technical documents to assist Members and regional networks in controlling TADs.

Reporting Lines
Under the overall guidance of the Chief, Animal Health Service (NSAH)/Chief Veterinary Officer – FAO (CVO), and the direct supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer (Virology), the incumbent will focus on providing required technical support in the development of surveillance plan guidelines and global action plan for regional veterinary networks.

Technical Focus
The incumbent will focus on providing required technical support for the development of technical documents to assist regions and national veterinary services to control TADs.

Tasks and responsibilities

o Lead the development of global action plan for regional epidemiology and laboratory networks in coordination with representative of international and regional organizations, FAO reference centres and FAO regional offices;
o Finalize the outlines and content of the applied guidelines with elements of surveillance plan including; plan objectives, sampling strategies and analytical methodologies, interpretation of data, monitoring and evaluation, etc.;
o Contribute to writing some sections of the action plan and guidelines;
o Work with the NSAH consultants to review technical material relevant to the development of the technical documents;
o Review the material written by the experts for merits, quality, relatedness, proof-read and share for feedback; and
o Assist in the organization and coordination of technical meetings; specifically in the preparation of agenda, meeting reports, and follow-up on action items press releases, newsletters and more;
o Lead the activity on the development of concept notes and project proposals for resource mobilization to continue advancing in FMD control, others as required;
o Represent the FAO at international and regional meetings;
o Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• University degree in epidemiology, emergency disease management or related field in TADs.
• At least 10-year experience in epidemiology, emergency disease management or related field in TADs.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the FAO languages; Arabic, French, Spanish, Chinese or Russian.

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

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in national and international entities and industry
• Extent and relevance of experience in animal diseases with focus on TADs
• Extent and relevance of experience in surveillance, vaccinology and diagnostics
• Familiarity with TADs control strategy and Progressive Control Pathway (PCP) principles
• Good understanding of institutional issues related to animal health in developing countries

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