Veterinary Epidemiologist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission includes supporting sustainable agricultural practices, improving nutrition, and enhancing resilience to climate change and natural disasters. In Zimbabwe, FAO collaborates with the government and various partners to implement projects that strengthen food security and agricultural development, including the Pandemic Fund project focused on health security and disease prevention.

Job Overview:
The Veterinary Epidemiologist position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to Zimbabwe's national health security agenda by enhancing veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and One Health coordination systems. The incumbent will be responsible for strengthening national capacities for prevention, preparedness, and response to emerging infectious diseases through a One Health approach that integrates animal, human, and environmental health systems. This role involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including government agencies, universities, and international partners, to build sustainable animal health systems capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to zoonotic and transboundary animal disease threats. The position requires a proactive approach to developing and implementing strategies that enhance the country's ability to manage health risks associated with animal diseases.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Veterinary Epidemiologist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the strengthening of national animal disease surveillance, reporting, and early warning systems.
• Conducting epidemiological investigations, analyzing disease trends, and performing risk assessments.
• Generating epidemiological intelligence products, technical briefs, and disease situation reports.
• Developing and implementing surveillance protocols, guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
• Strengthening surveillance at the livestock-wildlife-human interfaces.
• Supporting preparedness planning for zoonotic diseases and animal health emergencies.
• Participating in outbreak investigations and emergency response missions.
• Contributing to contingency planning, simulation exercises, and after-action reviews.
• Facilitating training programs in epidemiology, surveillance, and One Health. 1
• Promoting the application of WOAH standards and best practices. 1
• Supporting integrated surveillance and information-sharing across sectors. 1
• Contributing to project planning, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree) in Veterinary Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Public Health, One Health, Animal Health, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, emergency preparedness, or animal health program implementation.
• A working knowledge (Level C) of English.
• Candidates must be nationals of Zimbabwe. Additionally, candidates should possess strong knowledge of veterinary epidemiology and animal disease surveillance systems, experience in conducting outbreak investigations, and familiarity with zoonotic diseases and One Health approaches.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a master’s degree, in fields such as Veterinary Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Public Health, One Health, Animal Health, or related disciplines. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively address the complexities of veterinary epidemiology and public health.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in areas such as veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, emergency preparedness, and animal health program implementation. This level of experience is crucial for the candidate to effectively contribute to the organization's goals and objectives, particularly in the context of Zimbabwe's health security agenda.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with a working knowledge (Level C) required. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the international partners involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. It is important to note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, as well as meeting any residency or visa requirements and security clearances.