In Nigeria, transboundary animal diseases (TADs) such as PPR, FMD and ASF, including zoonoses such as HPAI, EVD, Lassa Fever and other issues including AMR pose serious risk to agriculture and food/nutrition security especially in view of their impact on the livelihoods of smallholder livestock producers.
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nigeria in collaboration with Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO)/Chief, Animal Health Service (AGAH), the functional guidance of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes) on programmatic issues and country priorities, and the direct supervision and technical backstopping of the ECTAD Country Team Leader (ECTL) (or the Regional Manager of ECTAD for West and Central Africa in absence of the ECTL), and in collaboration with the ECTAD country team and RAF epidemiologist.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Advise the ECTL on technical decision matters and allocation of required resources for efficient implementation of the USAID supported EPT-2/GHSA country programme and other ECTAD projects
- Act as ECTL in his/her absence. This includes planning and management of the ECTAD country team and technical and human resources needs in coordination with the Office of the FAO Representative to Nigeria and the ECTAD Manager for West and Central Africa.
- Under the guidance and with support of the Assistant FAOR (Programme) and the ECTL, liaise with the Government of Nigeria, development partners, multi-lateral agencies and national and international non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in all matters related to high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease (rEIDs) prevention and control programme and related activities.
- Participate in technical intersectoral meetings under the One Health framework with the major partners of the EPT-2/GHSA programme
- In close collaboration with the ECTL and the Manager of ECTAD in West and Central Africa, advise the beneficiary government of country of assignment on any technical and policy matters related to high impact zoonotic and non-zoonotic transboundary animal diseases.
- Contribute in the preparation of appropriate country strategies and programme for the management of rEIDs and other endemic Zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease, in close collaboration with the beneficiary government in line with the national policies, strategies and priorities, the FAO’s Strategic Objectives, and the UNDAP II framework.
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Veterinary Epidemiology, preferably with specialization in zoonoses control, control of infectious diseases in animals or related Emergency Management Disciplines; (candidates with Bachelors’ degree in Veterinary Medicine with at least 5 years of direct experience in linked to GHSA Program at country level will be exceptionally considered)
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in field veterinary epidemiology, surveillance, disease management or coordination programmes/platforms, including at least one-year experience linked to Government (Federal or State), UN System, organised private sector, multilateral institutions or international NGOs ;
- Working knowledge of English (level C);
- National of Nigeria