FAO recruits 01 National Epidemiologist
FAO
Accra, Ghana
Humanitaire (ONG, Associations, …), Projet/programme de développement
Job Description – National Epidemiologist (2400311)
Job Description: 2400311
National Epidemiologist
Job Posting: 29/Jan/2024
Closure Date: 18/Feb/2024, 11:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: FRGHA – FAO Representation in Ghana
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Ghana-Accra
Duration: 6 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 seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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
FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO in Ghana has been implementing activities in close cooperation with the Government of Ghana since its establishment in 1957. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active healthy lives. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.
The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be carried out through the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), which is currently implementing several projects in various countries in Africa. Within the ECTAD framework, the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) is closely working with the Emergency and Resilience Division (OER) under the Strategic Program 5 to support various aspects of the animal health programme of FAO, including the Global Health Security (GHS) project.
Reporting Lines
Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Ghana, the overall supervision of ECTAD Regional Manager for West & Central Africa (WCA), and the direct supervision of the Country Team Leader of ECTAD Ghana, and in close collaboration with the ECTAD Ghana and ECTAD regional team for West and Central Africa.
Technical Focus
Strengthening national capacities for early detection, preparedness and rapid response to emerging, re-emerging and endemic priority zoonotic disease.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Support the assessment of the status of surveillance capacities using SET, JRA and EMT tools, and the implementation of recommendations in the country;
• Support the implementation of capacity building activities relevant to emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease (rEID) surveillance in livestock in the country. This includes:
o Support the preparation and implementation of national surveillance plans based on the results of the risk assessment and mapping activities;
o Support the planning and implementation of sample collection from livestock in targeted farming systems, value chain nodes and at domestic animals-wildlife interfaces at risk;
o Support the country on Epi data collection, analysis and dissemination to decision makers from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, One health platform stakeholders and partners on regular basis;
o Plan and organize capacity development of animal health systems through the use of field epidemiology training and participatory epidemiology approaches targeting veterinarians, animal health technicians, community animal health workers and farmers;
o Provide technical assistance to the country on the use of mobile applications for data collection from the field (example: Event Mobile Application (EMA-i) app, Kobo toolbox, Epi Value Chain – EVC Platform etc.);
o Provide technical assistance to the country to develop and the implement the animal mobility data collection across the country and at the borders;
o Analyze surveillance results and facilitate data sharing with the region and project partners.
• Support risk assessment/mapping exercises at the human/livestock/wildlife interface and along the livestock/bush meat value chain in collaboration with national stakeholders;
• Support the implementation and monitoring of the Animal Health workforce development activities (In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology – ISAVET);
• Contribute to the development and the implementation of disease surveillance tools, protocols and procedures;
• Contribute to support the operationalization of the One Health approach at country level and to promote multisectoral coordination and animal health networking;
• Compile the country Epi data on weekly basis and share with the ECTAD regional office;
• Contribute to the preparation of the weekly updates on the epidemiology situation in West and Central Africa under the supervision of the regional epidemiologist;
• Contribute to the elaboration of national and regional strategies for animal disease prevention and control, development of plans and protocols for epidemiological investigations and studies;
• Assist in outbreak investigations for priority diseases and participate in emergency preparedness and rapid response missions;
• Assist in the organization of training workshops, simulation exercises and other technical meetings;
• Contribute to the preparation of the project documents and annual work plans of ECTAD Ghana relevant to epidemiology and surveillance;
• Contribute to implementation of annual work plans in close collaboration with the ECTAD team and the other staff of FAO office in Accra;
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts through writing and submitting project proposals;
• Contribute to the preparation of project reports as required by the Governments, FAO and donors;
• At the end of this assignment, prepare an end-of-assignment report articulating achievements, difficulties encountered and recommendations;
• Perform other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Veterinary medicine degree (DVM) and Advanced university degree in Veterinary Epidemiology/Public Health (PhD, MSc or advanced FETP certificate)
• At least Five (5) years of relevant working experience on disease control and surveillance, outbreak investigation, risk assessment/mapping and with proven experience in design and implementation of epidemiological studies
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Ghana
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Functional Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in the design and implementation of disease surveillance and control plans
• Extent and relevance of experience in qualitative and 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
• Excellent skills and ability to use Microsoft software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,…) and data management/analysis software (R, STATA, EPI Info, SPSS, QGIS, ArcGIS, Kobo collect, SurveyMonkey,…)
• Good judgment and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness to ensure adequate articulation of data and reports
• Evidence of previous publications and /or technical reports
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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 or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
For other issues, 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.
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 create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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