International Epidemiology Specialist

ADT Project Consulting GmbH is an innovative and reliable German consulting firm that focuses on technical assistance and international projects in the areas of livestock, agriculture, veterinary & food safety, agribusiness and rural development. Since 1995 we have been working for governments, development agencies, public institutions as well as for enterprises and organisations in the agriculture and food industry in more than 60 countries (see www.adtproject.de). Main clients are the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), EU EuropeAid and other EU programmes, GIZ, FAO, USAID, WB and other public donors as well as private organisations/companies.

We are currently looking for open-minded and motivated International Epidemiology Specialist for a Livestock Health and Value Chains Improvement Project in Cambodia.

Job description

The international epidemiology consultant will complete the following tasks:

(i) Prepare comprehensive guidelines on animal health surveillance in Cambodia;

(ii) Strengthen the legal authority for animal disease regulations compliance as required for an upgraded epidemiology program;

(iii) Improve disease reporting by farmers, VAHWs and district and provincial officials by assisting in the development of a mobile-phone-based APHIS program for Cambodia;

(iv) Establish a sustainable computerized reporting system to secure ongoing surveillance data and optimizing progression of Cambodia on the WOAH-led PCP‐ FMD;

(v) Establish an effective FMD DCZ in southeastern Cambodia, including an effective disease surveillance system;

(vi) Establish intensive and prolonged strategic FMD vaccination in Cambodia, commencing with the PV DCZ;

(vii) Enhance disease surveillance with extensive serological monitoring by differentiation of infected and vaccinated animals DIVA for assessment of vaccine- induced serological responses and enhanced disease detection;

(viii) Establish an emergency disease response capacity through effective training and testing;

(ix) Contribute to the development of an effective public awareness program on the importance of FMD/TAD control;

(x) Improve the monitoring of veterinary drugs in Cambodia, restrict the use of antibiotics in animal feed, and enhance AMR and antimicrobial use surveillance systems at NAHPRI by designing epidemiological studies to optimize residue detection;

(xi) Contribute to the development of an effective public awareness program for Cambodian farmers on the misuse of antibiotics in animals and antimicrobial stewardship;

(xii) Improve monitoring of the five priority zoonotic diseases in Cambodia,

including avian influenza, rabies, trichinellosis, anthrax and leptospirosis, through enhanced surveillance of these diseases, particularly in the other project provinces;

(xiii) Expand studies on diseases of bovine reproduction, including establishing serological tests (e.g., microscopic agglutination test; MAT) for multiple leptospire serotypes, with antigen capture (e.g., ELISA) and antibody tests (e.g., ELISA or agar gel immunodiffusion; AGID) for BVD (bovine virus diarrhea), and Neospora caninum serology (e.g., ELISA);

(xiv) Support GDAHP to establish a bovine leptospirosis vaccination program for reduced human health risk and bovine reproductive losses;

(xv) Research the need for a bovine fasciolosis surveillance and disease control program supported by molecular diagnostics to investigate the potential presence of zoonotic hybrid species of F. gigantica/hepatica. Design such a program if supported by the collected evidence;

(xvi) Assist team leader coordinate with: (a) providing climate change specialists updates to or new climate sensitivities of any component of the epidemiological program; b) identifying required climate resilience and adaptation measures associated extra costs; and c) assist identifying the key implementation indicators the epidemiological investments that will impact climate through animal health.

Qualifications and requirements

• PhD in veterinary epidemiology and at least 10 years of experience in developing surveillance strategies and in establishing and verifying laboratory diagnostic tests
• Technical expertise in developing surveillance strategies, assisting in establishing and verifying laboratory diagnostic tests, establishing and training in computerized disease reporting systems, designing, and conducting surveys, and designing and evaluating effectiveness of public awareness programs in TAD control and One Health.
• Experience in epidemiology and animal disease management and smallholder livestock production in ASEAN countries is essential, preferably including experience in Cambodia.
• The specialist should be a team oriented professional with good analytical and communication skills. S/he should be capable of rapport with personnel at various levels,including farmers, government staff, national consultants, and international organizations.
• A strong self-motivated individual working with no or minimal supervision and able to travel to the rural areas and meet tight deadlines is required.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English and be fully conversant with computer use. It is also important that this person is sensitive to issues associated with gender, ethnicity, and poverty especially in the context of Cambodia.

Interested candidates should send their application (cover letter, CV, work references / certificates / salary expectation) by email until May 23^rd, 2024 to adtproject@adt.de