National Epidemiologist at FAO

National Epidemiologist at FAO

Job Description

2301538

NATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST

Job Posting: 26/May/2023
Closure Date: 17/Jun/2023, 12:59:00 AM
Organizational Unit: FRURT
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Tanzania, United Republic of-Dar Es Salaam
Duration: 3 MONTHS (with possibility of extension)
Post Number: N/A
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 Members 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 FAO’s values
FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 global Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. 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 to 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. The support is based on the guidelines as provided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF). The current Tanzania CPF has four priority areas: (1) Improve production and productivity of crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry; (2) Sustainable management of the natural resource base and Increasing Resilience and Uptake of Climate Smart Agriculture; (3) Enhance food security and nutrition status; and (4) Improved market access and sanitary measures.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in the United Republic of Tanzania

Reporting Lines

Within the framework of the FAO, Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Operations (ECTAD), the incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the ECTAD Regional Manager for Eastern and Southern Africa region, the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in the United Republic of Tanzania and the direct supervision of the ECTAD Tanzania Team Leader, and in collaboration with the ECTAD Tanzania and Regional teams.

Technical Focus

Strengthening national capacities for early detection, preparedness and rapid response to emerging, re-emerging and endemic priority zoonotic diseases.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to the preparation of country strategies and programme for the management of high impact emerging and re- emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases in line with the national priorities and FAO’s 4 Betters
• Participate in and support the design and implementation of national strategies and programmes/projects following EMPRES/ECTAD strategies, in line with the FAO/ WOAH Global Framework for the Progressive
• Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) and Regional priorities
• Support the design, coordination and implementation of surveillance activities relevant to emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases as well as AMR at the livestock-wildlife-human interface to mitigate the high (current/potential) impact of diseases in Tanzania. These include:

1. Support appropriate stakeholder workshops and facilitate discussion and development of a surveillance approach that addresses national and regional priority diseases to target through a surveillance program.
2. Support the drafting of concept notes, Letters of Agreements, preparation and implementation of national surveillance plans for priority zoonotic diseases (PZDs).
3. Contribute to development and the implementation of surveillance protocols (epidemiological sampling) from livestock in targeted livestock farming systems, value chains and at domestic animals-wildlife-ecosystem interfaces.
4. Facilitate/strength partnerships with relevant stakeholders for continuous, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of surveillance data, predicting epidemic trends, description of the magnitude and patterns of infectious diseases and use of findings in guiding the formulation, implementation and evaluating of PZDs and AMR prevention and control programs
5. Plan, organize and implement capacity development of in-service professionals using field epidemiology training and participatory epidemiology approaches to veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals, animal health technicians, farmers, and where appropriate, public health or other stakeholders/partners.
6. Conduct risk assessments at the human/livestock/wildlife interface and supervise in-country expert missions on epidemio-surveillance.
7. Contribute to development and implementation of AMR surveillance protocols in the priority livestock value chains.

• Organize stakeholders’ meetings and support the process for the development of animal health and related strategies and plans in the United Republic of Tanzania.
• Facilitate implementation of the Global Health Security (GHS) Project and other related ECTAD projects
• Facilitate closer linkages of the GHS project and other ECTAD projects with relevant Ministries and other technical partners.
• Provide regular updates on project activities and prepare draft web articles on technical accomplishments as needed
• Provide immediate notification to the ECTAD Tanzania Team Leader and GLEWS of any significant epidemiological events and contribute to epidemiological intelligence at National and Regional levels.
• Support and strengthen a functional national epidemiology and laboratory networks.
• Participate in animal health emergency preparedness and contingency planning exercises, or tabletop scenarios.
• Assist in the organization of planned training workshops, simulation exercise and technical meetings.
• Contribute to the preparation of regular reports on the progress of the implementation of projects implemented by ECTAD Tanzania for FAO, donors or other stakeholders.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts through developing project concept notes and proposals that aim to mitigate the impacts of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (rEIDs), non-zoonotic diseases and AMR.
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Veterinary Epidemiology/Science/Medicine (additional skills in economics/ socio-economic/ Agri-economics would be an added advantage).
• Five (5) years of relevant working experience and with proven experience in design and implementation of epidemiological studies
• Working knowledge of English
• Registered with relevant regulatory body as per the national legal framework
• National of the United Republic of Tanzania

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in quantitative data analysis
• Extent and relevance of experience in the design and evidence of implementation of cross sectional and longitudinal studies
• Effective written presentation skills, particularly ability to present epidemiological data in a concise, logical and accurate manner
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries
• Good judgment and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness to ensure adequate articulation of data and reports
• Evidence of previous publications and /or technical reports

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
  If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

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