Animal Disease Surveillance Specialist

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Organizational Setting

The FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (FAO-ECTAD) is supporting the Government of Mozambique to meet its International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) obligations. Subsequently, FAO-ECTAD in Mozambique is seeking to recruit a surveillance specialist to strengthen Mozambique’s animal health surveillance framework and build capacity for sustainable disease reporting and outbreak response efforts.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer/ ECTAD Global Programme Coordinator (NSAH), the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Mozambique and the direct supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader (CTL) in Mozambique, and technical backstopping of the ECTAD regional epidemiology and surveillance experts for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), the incumbent shall develop a national animal disease reporting standard operating procedures (SOPs) and a national manual for Animal Disease Surveillance for the Government of Mozambique. The incumbent shall support the strengthening of the national animal disease reporting system on risk-based surveillance for the delivery of veterinary services through a One Health approach.

Technical Focus

Implementation of the FAO ECTAD projects in Mozambique.

Tasks and responsibilities

To this purpose, the Animal Disease Surveillance Specialist shall undertake the following tasks\:

• Undertake a cursory review of existing animal health policies and regulations to identify gaps and make recommendations that enhance animal disease reporting in Mozambique.
• Participate in an animal disease surveillance workshop (draft concept note and agenda, workshop report) with Central Veterinary Authorities, the Ministry of Health (MISAU), Administrators of the Conservation Areas (ANAC) under the Ministry of Land and the Environment (MTA), the newly established Public Health Emergency Operational Centre (PHEOC), professional Associations and the private sector to gather accurate and up-to-date animal disease surveillance data and associated information.
• Draft a national Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for animal disease reporting in Mozambique, which shall include all World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)-reportable diseases and other diseases of national interest. The SOP shall also be aligned with digital real-time early warning platforms such as FAO’s EMA-I, DHIS-2, Afyadata etc.
• Prepare concept note and agenda, including training materials and conduct 1 training (ToT) of Animal Health epidemiologists on risk-based surveillance (principles, design) in collaboration with DNSP of MISAU, ANAC of MTA and the PHEOC.
• Prepare concept note and agenda, including training materials and conduct 1 training (ToT) of field animal health personnel on outbreak management (investigation and data management).
• Develop a national animal disease surveillance manual for Mozambique.
• Participate in a workshop to validate the draft National animal disease surveillance manual and the SOPs for animal disease reporting.
• Undertake any other assignments as may be requested by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Epidemiology or related field from recognized Institution.
• Minimum of two years of relevant experience in animal disease surveillance and outbreak management.
• Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extensive experience in veterinary epidemiology and animal health workforce development within in public service or animal health service provision in various disciplines within the sector.
• Proven track record in developing HRD strategies and training programmes.
• Strong stakeholder analysis and engagement and facilitation skills.
• Ability to develop comprehensive monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Excellent technical report writing and communication skills
• Familiarity with One Health approaches

Selection Criteria

• Strong understanding of Mozambique’s animal health, and regulatory systems, including knowledge of national laws and international standards in the development of surveillance manuals is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to write manuals and SOPs, and in facilitating workshops, focus groups, or stakeholder consultations
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Fluency in Portuguese will be considered an advantage

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

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.

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