Organizational Setting

FAO Representation in Sierra Leone implements an integrated food security programme, focusing on diversification of livelihoods, managing natural resources and building resilience. The office employs diverse team of experts locally, but also attracts the available technical experts from the region and the Head Quarters (HQ). FAO works in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, farmers and other stakeholders, supporting plans and policies that affect the food and nutrition security in the country; our work is a part of the corporate commitment to support countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially SDG 2 on Zero Hunger.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, this position will be directly supervised by the ECTAD Country Team Leader – Sierra Leone.

Technical Focus 

The incumbent will contribute to implementation of activities under the National Laboratory Systems and Biosafety and Biosecurity technical areas of the FAO Global Health Security (GHS) programme which aims to build sustainable animal health and One Health capacities to mitigate risks and threats caused by emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, endemic zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Tasks and responsibilities

Within the framework of the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease programme (ECTAD), the overall policy and technical guidance of the Senior Animal Health Officer/ECTAD Global Programme Coordinator, in line with the programme management guidance from the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer/ECTAD Global Programme Budget Holder (OER), the functional and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, the direct supervision of the ECTAD Country Team Leader in Sierra Leone, the technical guidance of Regional Laboratory Expert for ECTAD Western and Central Africa, and in close collaboration with the ECTAD team in Sierra Leone, the National Laboratory Specialist with two support from the international laboratory expert in Sierra Leone will  undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

•    Contribute to the preparation of country strategies and programme for the management of high impact priority zoonotic diseases (PZDs), as well as emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease in line with the national priorities and FAO’s Strategic framework 2022-2031
•    Contribute to the design, coordination, and implementation of national strategies and programmes/projects, in line with the FAO/WOAH Global Framework for the Progressive Control of TADs, PZDs and Regional priorities.
•    Contribute to the implementation of activities relevant to laboratory aspects of the USAID GHS, Fleming Fund and other ECTAD projects as a basis to mitigate the high (current/potential) impact of PZDs, emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases and AMR in Sierra Leone. These include:
•    Contribute to the framing and the implementation of diagnostic protocols for PZDs, TADs and AMR to support surveillance plans.
•    Supervise the assessment of national laboratory veterinary capacity for pathogen testing of samples from livestock and livestock products.
•    Contribute to improved skills in sample collection from livestock in targeted livestock farming systems, and at critical points   along the value chains and at domestic animals-wildlife interfaces using appropriate biosafety/biosecurity measures.
•    Support maintenance and calibration of essential laboratory equipment.
•    Support development of technical capacity and building competence of in-service laboratory technicians and other professionals working at the CVL through in-service on bench training and mentorship.
•    Contribute to development and implementation of laboratory diagnostic and surveillance protocols for livestock in targeted livestock farming systems, value chains and at domestic-wildlife-human interface.
•    Contribute to publications and or publish in peer reviewed journals results of capacity assessments and/or any other interesting findings/joint epidemiology and laboratory efforts following GHSP and Fleming Fund interventions.
•    Support capacity development of national laboratories through;
o    Facilitation of training programs for laboratory personnel on new laboratory techniques, Quality Assurance, Biosafety and Biosecurity and tools such as Laboratory Mapping Tool (LMT), FAO Assessment Tool for Laboratories and Antimicrobial resistance Surveillance Systems (FAO-ATLASS), Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)/SILAB.
o    Assist in the organization of planned training workshops, simulation exercise and meetings and other technical meetings, as needed.
o    Support country participation to Proficiency Tests (PTs).
o    Contribute to Laboratory capacity assessments using the FAO laboratory mapping tools (LMT).
o    Contribute to strengthening of national laboratory networks and information management systems.
o    Participate in animal health emergency preparedness and contingency planning exercises, or tabletop scenarios.

•    Contribute to:
o    Preparation of technical specifications for the procurement of laboratory consumables and related non-expendable equipment in consultation with relevant national partners,
o    Organization of stakeholders’ meetings and development of animal health and other related policy instruments in Sierra Leone.
o    Provision of regular weekly updates of laboratory activities and reports in the country, monthly project activities, and prepare draft web/newsletter articles on technical accomplishments as needed in collaboration with International Laboratory Expert and CVL Manager.
o    Provision of regular updates of TADs epidemiology situation and    immediate notification to the ECTAD CTL and International Laboratory Expert of any significant laboratory/epidemiological events.
o    Preparation of regular reports on the progress of the implementation of projects implemented by ECTAD Sierra Leone for FAO, donors, or other stakeholders.
o    ECTAD resource mobilization efforts to support sustainability of diagnostic laboratory work.

•    Submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment to ECTAD CTL and FAOR.
•    Perform other related duties as required by the CTL and FAOR.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences/Microbiology/Virology/Biological Sciences with a post-graduate training in laboratory sciences or related field
•    At least five years’ experience working in a veterinary or research laboratory
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of Sierra Leone

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria

•    Good knowledge of laboratory diagnostic techniques applicable to TADs and PZDs.
•    Knowledge of the Sierra Leone animal health system

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION