Epidemiologist Expert for the Peste des Petits Ruminants Global Eradication Programme (PPR GEP)

Organizational Setting

The scope of this Call for Expressions of Interest is to find qualified affiliate workforce to support the Peste des Petits Ruminants Global Eradication Programme (PPR GEP) Secretariat in the below functional area.

The concept for establishing PPR-GEP was approved by the 24th Session of the committee on Agriculture, the 150th Session of the Council and by the 39th FAO Conference. In March 2016, FAO and WOAH established a Joint PPR GEP Secretariat based in FAO headquarters in Rome. The main role of the Joint Secretariat is to provide overall strategic and coordinated direction, as well as to advise on, or develop, cost-effective control methodologies, tools, manuals, guidelines, training materials and network support for programme at regional and countries levels. The Joint Secretariat will also be responsibilities for communication and advocacy activities. In 2023, the African Union Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU IBAR) established the African PPR Secretariat. It was agreed that FAO would second an epidemiologist to this Pan African PPR Secretariat.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the Chief One Health and Disease Control Group, NSAH-CJW/Deputy Chief Veterinarian, the consultant reports to the FAO PPR GEP Secretariat in Rome, Italy.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will focus on providing required technical support to the implementation of the PPR control strategy and small ruminant production at the regional and national levels in Africa.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Facilitate and contribute to the design and implementation of the components of surveillance system at all levels for the PPR GEP blueprint and Pan African PPR eradication programme;
• Design and implement vaccination and surveillance strategies as well as outbreak reporting templates and ensure their insertion into the database;
• Provide training in all aspects of the surveillance systems for the application of the risk-based surveillance/vaccination techniques for the cost-effective management of PPR and other small ruminant diseases;
• Use available database or prepare app for the collection, storage and analysis of epidemiological and vaccination data;
• Provide assistance for the collection, storage analysis of surveillance system data and risk-based vaccination including data analysis;
• Liaise with other units within FAO for the implementation of disease intelligence, risk analysis, networks and preparedness;
• Analyze data from components of the surveillance system to assist mapping/delineating episystems;
• Provide assistance for the management of other small ruminant diseases;
• Contribute to the preparation of manuals, guidelines, SoPs, policy briefs, training materials among others;
• Provide support to the pan Africa PPR Secretariat, among other organize events and provide technical support and regularly reports on the programme implementation;
• Liaise with FAO Regional and Decentralized Offices and other partners for the implementation of PPR eradication activities, and support development of policies, strategies, knowledge products and advocacy material to improve prevention practices and national regulatory systems;
• Contribute to Joint Secretariat resource mobilization initiatives, including project identification and proposal development;
• Identify, appraise and formulate these extra-budgetary and TCP projects, and
• Carry out other duties.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in epidemiology, vaccinology, emergency disease management or related filed in transboundary animal diseases is required. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least five years (Category B) of relevant experience in PPR or other transboundary diseases (TAD)- prevention and control activities.
• Working knowledge of English and French.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Extent and relevance of experience in animal health, disease management and epidemiology
• Familiarity with epidemiological database analysis

Selection Criteria

•     Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and postgraduate in epidemiology are desirable. 
Knowledge of any other UN languages (Spanish Arabic, Chinese or Russian) should be an added value.