PAHO Consultant - Foot-and-Mouth Disease Specialist - Regional Preparedness and Epidemiology
Organizational Context
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Job Purpose
To provide specialized technical support in Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), with emphasis on veterinary epidemiology, surveillance, risk assessment, epidemiological modelling, emergency preparedness and emergency vaccination strategies, supporting the implementation of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA) Action Plan 2026-2030 and strengthening regional technical cooperation with Member States.
Responsibilities
Provide technical support for risk assessments related to Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Develop and apply epidemiological and spatial models for surveillance, preparedness, and emergency response. Support Member States in strengthening risk-based surveillance and epidemiological intelligence. Contribute to contingency planning, emergency preparedness, simulation exercises, and emergency response strategies. Provide technical support for emergency vaccination preparedness, including strategies, deployment scenarios, and post-vaccination monitoring. Support the Regional Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Antigen Bank (BANVACO) with technical analyses, strategic planning, and documentation. Prepare technical documents, scientific reports, policy briefs, and presentations. Design and deliver regional and national training activities in epidemiology, surveillance, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and emergency vaccination. Participate in technical missions, regional meetings, and international cooperation activities.
Work Experience
Essential: 9 years of progressively responsible professional experience in an Official Veterinary Service. Demonstrated experience in Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention, surveillance, or eradication programs. Demonstrated experience in veterinary epidemiology, surveillance, and risk assessment. Demonstrated experience in epidemiological modelling. Experience in preparedness and response to transboundary animal diseases. Experience preparing technical reports, scientific publications, and technical guidance documents. Desirable: Experience working with international organizations. Experience providing technical cooperation to Member States. Experience coordinating regional programs.
Skills
Foot-and-Mouth Disease epidemiology; Risk assessment; Epidemiological modelling; Risk-based surveillance; Capacity Building; Scientific writing, including development of technical guidance; Teamwork; Respecting and Promoting Individual and Cultural Differences; Communication; Producing Results; Technical Expertise; Building and Maintaining Partnerships; Knowledge Sharing; Planning and Organizing; Analytical Thinking.