Public Health Specialist (AMR/VPH)- Ugandan National Position 297 views0 applications

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Public Health Specialist (AMR/VPH)- Ugandan National Position

A. Position Summary

Project: BMZ-funded, ILRI-led BuildUganda program

Job Title: Veterinary Public Health Specialist –AMR/VPH Control

Department: Program

Country: Uganda

Duty Station: Field based roving assignments – Uganda

Expected Start Date: 15^th March 2020

Duration: 44 months

Reporting to: Project Technical Manager

Brief Overview of VSF Germany

VSF Germany is an International Non-Governmental Organization, providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to pastoralists and vulnerable communities in areas where livestock is of importance. In the Horn of Africa region, VSF Germany has been implementing programmes in South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia since 1998. Effective from January 2019, VSF Germany has expanded its programme scope to Uganda. VSF Germany programmes focus on Food Security and Livelihoods, Nutrition, Natural Resources Management, Peacebuilding, Water and Sanitation, Protection and response to Disasters and Emergencies. Each country program is managed through the country offices and country teams. Country programmes are coordinated and facilitated from the Regional Office Nairobi (RON). The organization is a registered charity in Germany with its headquarters in Berlin.

Brief Overview of the Project

VSF Germany is a member of a consortium led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) that has received funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to implement a five year Research for Development program in Uganda, for improving animal and human health in Africa. Uganda is chosen as a key focus country in the sub-Saharan Africa on the account that around 70% of all households keep at least one kind of livestock (inclusive of poultry). Livestock production is however limited by pathogens including parasites that cause losses due to diseases or death of animals, threatening food security, balanced diets as well as the livelihoods of animal keepers. The program is being implemented by multiple partners playing different roles in research and development activities. These include ILRI as the Consortium lead, VSF Germany, the Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF), the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO-NaLIRRI) in Uganda, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), and the German Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI) among other local, regional and international partners and collaborators. The project is implemented with a focus on the control of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PRR), Rift Valley fever (RVF), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Veterinary Public Health (VPH) components.

Antimicrobial use/ antimicrobial resistance (AMU/AMR), especially antibacterials component

AMR is a growing concern in Uganda due to selection of resistant microbes following use and misuse of antimicrobial compounds in human and veterinary medicine. In the livestock sector this becomes increasingly important because resistant pathogens can be transmitted to humans through animal sourced food. In African countries, little is known about antimicrobial use in agriculture, especially in livestock production systems (including poultry) or in human medicine. There is also little to no data on the quality of the drugs in use, lack of appropriate use policies and lack of compliance by users of antimicrobials, e.g. under-dosage, and poor observance of withdrawal periods. Poor knowledge amongst actors involved, from livestock keepers and producers to even some veterinary professionals and government officials, highlights the need for capacity building at all levels, including strengthening of surveillance systems for antimicrobial use and antimicrobial stewardship programmes. BuildUganda project under the AMR component will seek to; i) promote the application of the AMUSE tool to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices in poultry value chains, to describe and quantify the use of antibiotics, ii) collect samples of poultry (feces, meat, eggs) along the poultry value chain to establish phenotypic resistance patterns of selected Enterobacteriaceae (specifically E. coli and Salmonella spp.) and iii) support the training of poultry sector stakeholders in Uganda (animal health workers, producers, input suppliers such as feed and drug stockists, policy makers); synthesis and discussion of the generated data and contribution of these results to finalize the draft AMR National Action Plan following the Kenya model.

Veterinary Pubic Health Component

In low-income African countries, more than 70% of animal sourced foods are sold in informal markets. They are thus important for food and nutrition, but also job security. However, they are also the source of food borne disease, often due to cross-contamination and poor food handling practices. Successful approaches to reducing the risk to food borne diseases are training of food producers and handlers in good hygienic practices- correct hand washing, the concept of microorganisms, coupled with the application of simple technologies- protective gear, disinfection of surfaces, protection from pest insects with insecticide treated nets etc. In the meat value chains, the point of slaughter has been established as a critical control point to efficiently improve food safety mainly due to unhygienic slaughter, contamination, and exposure to zoonotic diseases by slaughter house workers and consumers due to poor inspection protocols and hygiene practices. Under this component, training on good hygienic practices, zoonotic diseases (especially occupational diseases) and the detection of notifiable diseases, support with relevant tools and material supplies that enhance meat hygiene and sentinel studies for zoonotic diseases such as RVF, Taenia solium infection, salmonellosis etc. will be undertaken.

It is against this background that VSF Germany seeks to recruit an experienced public health specialist with solid background on the implementation of antimicrobial resistance and veterinary public health surveillance activities and research to support the development and extension aspects of the program through training, sensitization and awareness raising activities to influence positive change in knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviour of key stakeholders to enhance food safety, animal and human health outcomes.

D. Reporting Lines and Collaboration

The Public Health Specialist reports and works under the technical, functional and administrative supervision of the Project Technical Manager, and in collaboration with the ILRI Principal Investigators / Component Leads on the AMR and VPH components of the project, the designated component Focal Points of the Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF), including the national district veterinary services authorities, and in partnership with ILRI and other partners implementing the research components of the project.

E. Technical Focus

The Public Health Specialist shall provide direct technical support and guidance for risk assessments including systems characterization and value chains mapping and analyses AMR and VPH surveillance systems and various training needs and training activities in target districts.

F. Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead the process of community and other key stakeholders mobilization for sensitization on AMR and VPH activities in the target districts
• Undertake rapid training needs assessments with key target groups and design suitable training programmes that address t knowledge and practice gaps in AMR /VPH control
• Lead the planning and implementation of training programmes that influence practice and behaviour changes in collaboration with the VSF-G Capacity Development Officer,
• Identify essential slaughter and equipment supply needs that enhance hygienic meat handling practices and support the procurement and distribution plans to beneficiaries
• Contribute to updating and review of the National Action Plan on AMR control
• Participate in Multi-stakeholder Platforms to assess needs, trends and patterns in AMR/ VPH practices and design extension messages that contribute to behavioral changes
• Conduct trainings of farmer groups and other stakeholders to disseminate good practices on rational use of antibiotics and antibiotic stewardship as informed by research results,
• Conduct training needs assessments and design training modules of butchers, meat vendors and other actors in the meat value chains to improve quality and safety of meat.
• Support and guide consultancies on VPH baseline studies and AMR poultry engendered value chain analysis and KAPs assessments to inform control intervention strategies
• Support the establishment of a well-functioning One Health governance structure for AMR and AMU surveillance
• Support and participate in the establishment of a government led system of collecting, collating, analysing, reporting and disseminating AMR and AMU data
• Participate in the strengthening of AMR and AMU surveillance in animals and animal products especially poultry.
• Conduct trainings to key stakeholders to disseminate key public health policy guidelines
• Support sampling for AMR and VPH studies at the field and slaughter facilities for research purposes in collaboration with the ILRI principal investigators and PhD fellows.
• Provide guidance and support to target districts on the use of mobile based applications for AMR / VPH surveillance activities
• Lead in the preparation of timely AMR/ VPH component periodic progress reports

B. Essential Requirements

· Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences or related fields (e.g. veterinary medicine or human medicine) from a recognized university with at least 7 years of field practice and research experience.

· Master’s Degree in Veterinary Public Health with a focus on AMR and VPH research will be an added advantage.

· At least 3 years of proven experience in the management and implementation of AMR and or Veterinary Public Health research programs particularly in Uganda.

· Team player, self-motivated and ability to work with minimum supervision

· Ability to prioritize tasks, problem solve and meet tight deadlines

· Creative self-starter, independent thinker with a focus on delivery of results for the project

· Good understanding of the AMR / VPH governance principles and priorities actions in Uganda

Other requirements

· Results Focused

· Teamwork with good inter-personal relations

· Effective Communication and focus in building Effective Relationships

· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills and Requirements

· Practical hands on work experience and knowledge of the target districts and regions.

· Ability to write technical briefs and concise reports.

· Ability to occasionally work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

· Familiarity with Uganda national livestock sector policies and strategies.

Selection Criteria

· Selection will be based on requirements, competencies and skills outlined above.

· VSF Germany is an equal opportunity employer but female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.