Senior Animal Health Officer

About FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing - creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

FHI 360 has worked in Cameroon many years. FHI 360 has taken a comprehensive approach to help transform the country’s health and development landscape. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of Cameroon, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Cameroon delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services—including HIV and nutrition, tuberculosis, global health security, and economic participation.

Project Background

The Strengthening Infections Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity, a global project led by FHI 360, is a critical addition to the U.S. government’s (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) response with its focus on improving disease detection, surveillance, data collection, analysis, and reporting systems worldwide. Too many inadequate surveillance and diagnostic systems in countries hinder their ability to rapidly and effectively prevent, detect, report, and respond to the ever-increasing threat from epidemics, pandemics, and novel infectious diseases that pose a risk to U.S. national security. Through STRIDES, by strengthening surveillance, detection, and reporting systems and driving them to meet international quality and safety standards, the United States will help achieve the goal of halting outbreaks before they spread by supporting human and animal health systems to provide quality, sustainable services.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Animal Health Officer will provide technical leadership and support for the implementation of STRIDES activities in Cameroon, with a focus on strengthening animal health and zoonotic disease surveillance through a One Health approach. S/he will collaborate with relevant ministries and government institutions at national and subnational levels, including the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA), the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF), and Cameroon’s National Program for the Prevention and Control of Emerging and Re-emerging Zoonoses (PNLPZER). S/he will support the implementation and monitoring of activities under STRIDES Objective 2 (Surveillance Systems) to improve the quality, performance, and coordination of epidemiological surveillance and will represent STRIDES in relevant technical meetings, working groups, and coordination forums.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Supports the implementation of technical activities to establish or strengthen event-based surveillance (EBS) and indicator-based surveillance (IBS), and community-based surveillance (CBS) for priority pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
• Provides technical assistance to develop and implement plans to expand passive surveillance systems into active surveillance for priority diseases and to serve as an enhanced early warning surveillance system.
• Provides technical expertise in preparing training materials, standard operating procedures, and job aids and supports relevant ministries and government entities to strengthen the skills of field disease surveillance personnel.
• Works closely with national counterparts and teams to provide the technical assistance required to fulfill national objectives and targets, especially those related to epidemiologic surveillance strategies, policies, plans, and procedures for priority emerging infectious diseases, and zoonotic diseases.
• Develops technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate and document research, best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Assists with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan.
• Utilizes evidence-based methods and best practices to implement work plan activities.
• Provides technical support in the development and dissemination of tools, materials, reports, papers, and intervention for projects.
• Provides support to work planning and workplan preparation and finalization.

Project Implementation:

• Supports the Epidemiology & Surveillance Advisor in collaborating with relevant ministries and government entities at national and subnational levels in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of health security surveillance interventions.
• Contributes to the development of strategies and tools for the design and implementation of epidemiologic and animal health surveillance components
• Works closely with the STRIDES project team to ensure activities are implemented according to standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Client/Funder Support:

• Contributes to building productive working relationships internally and externally by fostering partnerships with national and international organizations, government agencies, and other relevant entities.
• Assists with the preparation and drafting of work plans, presentations, and reports for the donor and other key stakeholders
• Participates in meetings and forums as required

Project/Program Reporting:

• Supports preparation of regular activity reports, and other documents.
• Gathers information, data and statistics needed to provide evidence to reports, presentations, papers, and other documentation produced.
• Participates in data review for decision making.
• Assists with creating technical content (e.g., summary reports, presentations, manuscripts) related to project activities, results, and outcomes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
• Basic working knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with providing technical support for technical research studies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
• Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent French and English.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Determines methods and procedures on new projects and assignments.
• May serve as team lead and may mentor other lower-level personnel.
• Typically reports to STRIDES Cameroon Epidemiology & Surveillance Advisor.

Education:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree required. A master’s degree in public health or epidemiology or related field.
• Project Management Certification preferred.

Experience:

• Typically requires 6+ years of relevant experience of national experience working in epidemiology, animal health programs related to the control of infectious diseases and health analysis.
• Prior work experience, knowledge, and practical expertise in Global Health Security and One Health.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in implementing infectious disease surveillance methodology, including analysis of epidemiologic investigation data utilizing new methodologies or existing techniques.
• Ability to analyze current animal health surveillance systems and to propose innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private company.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 2.5kg.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel 25% - 45%

The expected hiring salary range for this role is XAF 15,000,000 - 20,000,000 for annual gross salary for national local hire. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in