About US:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has a global mandate to improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations and contribute to global economic’ growth. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: The National Laboratory Expert will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
Oversee the implementation of activities relevant to laboratory aspects of the USAID EPT-2 programme as a basis to mitigate the high (current/potential) impact of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases in Uganda at the livestock-wildlife-human interface. These include:
Contribute in the framing and the implementation of diagnostic protocols to support surveillance plans
Ensure effective implementation of laboratory testing protocols for pathogen bio surveillance as agreed with EMPRES/lab Unit and other EPT2 implementing partners including PREDICT-2
Manages the assessment of national and regional veterinary laboratory capacity for pathogen testing of samples from livestock and livestock products
Link epidemiological and laboratory findings including positive epidemiological results with virus sequence accession number
Actively participate in country expert missions on field investigations
Work closely with the Commissioner Animal Health and the National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Centre (NADDEC) for 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
Offer technical support in the collaboration between veterinary laboratory staff and field epidemiologists;
Supervise the preparation of lists of appropriate laboratory items for procurement for Uganda, along with draft technical specifications, taking into account laboratory requests when needed and monitor their good delivery to beneficiary laboratories.
Significantly contribute to the preparation of country strategies and programme for the management of high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases in line with the national priorities and FAO’s Strategic Objectives
Actively contribute to the design and implementation of national strategies and programmes /projects following EMPRES/ECTAD strategies, in line with the FAO/ OIE Global Framework for the Progressive Control of TADs and Regional priorities
Actively contribute to provide regular updates of TADs epidemiology situation in the country
Render support in the establishment and strengthening of a functional national epidemiology and laboratory network in Uganda
Contribute to Laboratory capacity assessments using the FAO laboratory mapping tool (LMT)
Support country implementation of Veterinary Laboratory Quality Management Standard (ISO/ ICE/17025) and participation to Proficiency Tests
Work in liaison with relevant national partners, prepare specifications for the procurement of laboratory consumables and related non-expendable equipment
Develop a laboratory inventory sheet to enable real-time monitoring of expendable supplies used in diagnostic testing
Actively participate in animal health emergency preparedness and contingency planning exercises, or table top scenarios, as needed
Provide immediate notification to the ECTAD Uganda Team Leader, of any significant diagnostic test results
Assist in the organization of planned training workshops, simulation exercise and meetings and other technical meetings, as needed
Contribute to the preparation of regular reports on the progress of the implementation of projects implemented by ECTAD Uganda for FAO, donors or other stakeholders
Prepare and submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment to the ECTAD Country Team Leader.
Perform other related duties as required by the Senior Technical Coordinator

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) National Laboratory Expert career opportunity should hold an Advanced University Degree in Veterinary Laboratory or related field
At least seven years of relevant experience in animal health activities
Broad knowledge and understanding on veterinary laboratory techniques and operations under public set up
Broad working knowledge of the main aspects of prevention and control of high impact emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease
Significant experience in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of surveillance networks of animal diseases
Working knowledge of English.

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified Ugandan nationals are encouraged to send their applications together with detailed curriculum vitae and copies of certificates in a sealed envelope, quoting Vacancy Announcement no. addressed to: The Country Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization in Uganda. The envelopes should be registered at reception and placed in the box at the reception of the FAO offices at Plot 88 Buganda Road, Wandegeya, Kampala.

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. FAO does not charge applicants any fees at any stage in the recruitment process.

Deadline: 8th April 2016 by 2:00pm