Animal-Human Interface Officer in Kenya

Title: Animal-Human Interface Officer Period of Performance: November 16, 2012 – November 15, 2013 Place of Performance: Nairobi, Kenya

Service Objectives: The contractor will provide veterinary expertise to help strengthen capacity in detecting and responding to zoonotic diseases of public health importance and enhance partnerships between animal health and human sectors in Kenya and the region, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. Activities will focus on five core areas: population-based surveillance, technical support for outbreaks, epidemiological research, training, and integration of laboratory and epidemiology programs into larger networks.

Task Requirements: The Animal-Human Interface Officer will be directly involved in working with animal and human health agencies and organizations to improve and strengthen communication, systematic planning, and capacity for investigation and control of zoonotic diseases in Kenya and in the region. Specific tasks will include:

1. Establishing national, regional, and international collaborations and partnerships with entities necessary to support country and regional activities.
2. Serving as an in-country connection between USG entities that focus on human health and those that focus on animal health with the goal of harmonizing scarce resource efforts.
3. Establishing linkages between human and animal disease systems to improve surveillance and communications.
4. Conducting training for professionals enrolled in international CDC training programs and serving as a consultant to the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP).
5. Serving as a mentor for veterinarians enrolled in FELTP and supervising the residents during outbreak response.
6. Providing technical advice and veterinary expertise in the surveillance, prevention, and control of zoonotic diseases.
7. Coordinating response planning.
8. Conducting field research during outbreak and non-outbreak periods.
9. Conducting serosurveys in areas with established animal disease.
10. Conducting research, preparing and submitting manuscripts, and presenting at national and international conferences.
11. Coordinating activities in consultation with the Director, GDDRC and the Chief, One Health Office and assisting with writing grant proposals and reports.

The work described herein is primarily sedentary, performed in an office setting. Some walking will be required throughout the workplace facilities and at work and field sites. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as conference rooms or office spaces. There are no unusual physical demands. The scope of work under this contract shall not include animal care or treatment and shall not involve direct contact with blood, bodily fluids or any biological samples.

Minimum Qualifications and/or Certifications: • DVM or equivalent foreign degree • At least 7 years experience working with public health related issues at the human-animal interface. • At least 7 years experience working internationally on animal issues that impact public health. • At least 5 years experience working as an advisor or consultant in Africa on zoonotic infectious diseases. • At least 5 years training and mentoring animal and human health professionals on public health issues related to zoonotic diseases. • At least 5 years experience working with international collaborators (i.e., CDC-Atlanta, Ministries of Health, Ministries of Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Organisation for Animal Health) providing training, oversight, and technical guidance on surveillance activities.

How to apply: 

Interested candidates should email their cover letter and CV to resumes@ctsglobalusa.com