Overview
The Animal Health Specialist will support the implementation of regional and national initiatives to improve surveillance, diagnostics, zoonotic disease management, pandemic preparedness, One Health coordination, and animal health governance in the Caribbean.
Tasks Summary
- Provide technical coordination and support to the “Strengthening Pandemic Prevention and Control in Eastern Caribbean Countries” project.
- Support all animal health activities in the SLC Office.
- Maintain day‑to‑day communication with country teams and provide timely technical advice.
- Conduct assessments and deliver online or in‑person training on zoonoses and other animal health topics.
- Develop and review technical documents, training materials, publications, briefs, factsheets, and presentations.
- Prepare draft administrative documents including LOAs, Terms of Reference, correspondence, and oversee the work of consultants and service providers.
- Coordinate field‑level project activities, including budget tracking and providing operational support.
- Support administrative and operational staff with planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of annual work plans, procurement plans, travel plans, and HR plans.
- Coordinate with administrative staff to ensure timely and compliant travel, procurement, HR and financial processes.
- Support the organization of project meetings, participate, take notes, and prepare reports.
- Contribute to the preparation of progress reports for donors, SLC, HQ and regional offices.
- Provide technical support and review of assessments, studies, and project deliverables conducted by independent and FAO consultants.
- Promote knowledge sharing and best practices at meetings and stakeholder consultations.
- Participate in partner coordination meetings and activities.
- Support resource mobilization efforts, including drafting concept notes and project proposals aligned with government priorities.
- Participate in assessments of veterinary services, legal frameworks, and disease surveillance and management systems.
- Identify strategies to improve integration of national health information systems across human, animal, plant, and environmental health sectors.
- Provide technical guidance on early warning and disease intelligence, including improving reporting systems, supporting adoption of reporting tools, and strengthening data capture and sharing.
- Coordinate the development and delivery of applied training activities related to early warning systems.
- Contribute to publications and presentations on disease information systems, risk assessment, and early warning.
- Participate in interview panels for the recruitment of affiliate personnel.
- Perform any other duties supporting the animal health portfolio of the SLC Office.
Experience Requirements
- At least five (5) years of relevant experience in surveillance, animal disease diagnostics, zoonotic disease surveillance, policy dialogue, and partnership building related to animal and public health.
- Experience working in the Caribbean or Small Island Developing States is an asset.
- Practical experience in animal health surveillance, diagnostics, and emergency response systems.
- Knowledge of international standards related to animal health (e.g., WOAH, Codex).
- Experience with project coordination, work planning, and reporting.
- Demonstrated ability to engage with government counterparts and partners.
- Knowledge of the livestock sector in the Caribbean.
- Demonstrated experience in animal health surveillance, zoonotic disease diagnostics, emergency management and veterinary public health.
- Knowledge of biosafety and biosecurity principles relevant to field and laboratory settings.
- Experience working in the Caribbean or similar environments, with understanding of regional livestock systems.
- Strong skills in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and preparation of technical reports or training materials.
- Registration or license to practice in a relevant field (e.g., veterinary medicine or public health), where applicable.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with government and technical partners.
Qualification Requirements
- • Advanced university degree in Animal Health, One Health, Animal Health Surveillance, Public Health, emergency management, or other relevant livestock sciences.
- An undergraduate degree with an additional two (2) years of relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
