Veterinary Epidemiologist
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the Government of Zimbabwe and partners in implementing the "From Early Warning to Early Action: Building Zimbabwe's One Health Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (ZIPOH)" project. This initiative strengthens national capacities for preventing, preparing for, and responding to infectious diseases using a One Health approach. The role contributes to Zimbabwe's health security by enhancing veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and One Health coordination, building sustainable animal health systems.
Job Purpose
This role focuses on strengthening veterinary epidemiology and disease intelligence within Zimbabwe. Key areas include developing and enhancing animal disease surveillance and early warning systems, implementing zoonotic disease prevention and control measures, and improving transboundary animal disease preparedness and response. The position involves conducting risk assessments, epidemiological analysis, and contributing to the development of the veterinary workforce. It is crucial for advancing One Health implementation, enhancing health security, and bolstering overall veterinary services to effectively manage emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats.
Responsibilities
The Veterinary Epidemiologist will support the strengthening of national animal disease surveillance, reporting, and early warning systems, conducting epidemiological investigations, trend analyses, and risk assessments. Responsibilities include generating epidemiological intelligence products, developing surveillance protocols, and enhancing surveillance at livestock-wildlife-human interfaces. The role also involves supporting preparedness planning for zoonotic diseases and animal health emergencies, participating in outbreak investigations and response missions, and contributing to contingency planning and simulation exercises. Furthermore, the incumbent will facilitate training programs in epidemiology and One Health, support field epidemiology initiatives, promote WOAH standards, and strengthen linkages between veterinary services and laboratories. Promoting integrated surveillance and information sharing across sectors, supporting One Health approaches for zoonotic disease prevention and AMR containment, and contributing to project planning, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement are also key duties.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience is required, specifically in areas such as veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, emergency preparedness, and animal health program implementation. Experience in conducting epidemiological analysis, risk assessments, and contributing to the development of animal health systems is crucial for this role.
Skills
Essential skills include a strong knowledge of veterinary epidemiology and animal disease surveillance systems, experience in outbreak investigations and emergency response, and understanding of zoonotic diseases, transboundary animal diseases, and One Health approaches. Proficiency in epidemiological analysis, disease intelligence, and risk assessment is required, along with experience using epidemiological databases and reporting systems. Strong analytical, communication, and technical report-writing skills are vital. The ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and experience with government institutions and development partners are also important. Familiarity with WOAH standards and international animal health frameworks is beneficial.