One Health Specialist

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.

Job Summary:

The One Health Specialist provides technical support to staff and leads the integration and implementation of the One Health (OH) approach for the anticipated USAID-funded Global Health Security project to enhance global health priorities projects in [country] with the general objective to prevent, detect, and rapidly and effectively respond to public health threats of international concern including naturally occurring outbreaks and intentional or accidental releases of dangerous pathogens. S/He will be responsible for implementing and monitoring strategic and technical initiatives to strengthen the adoption and implementation of the OH approach and driving strategies to prevent, limit, and contain zoonotic disease spread. S/He will provide technical guidance around the issues, challenges, and strategies for improving access to quality affecting the project and contribute knowledge products through the creation and management of reports and technical materials. S/He will work closely with project and headquarters (HQ) teams to support projects by evaluating program effectiveness, overseeing technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports. S/He will contribute to business development efforts, including supporting the management of opportunity identification, capture, and strategic partnering.

Accountabilities:

Technical Requirements:

• Provides project staff with overall technical direction and guidance on One Health in line with the project’s expected outcomes.
• Leads the expansion of the One Health approach to engage relevant sectors and disciplines, including animal health, wildlife, environment, public, academia, research, and private sectors at national and subnational levels. Supports technical aspects of the projects including leading activities to strengthen national capacities of staff and partners to efficiently operationalize One Health, including but not limited to:
• Support the identification of the One Health core competencies required for veterinary services and other relevant sectors at national, sub-national, and field levels
• Design, develop, and deliver training curricula based on the required core competencies for relevant levels
• Prepare, organize, participate in, and provide technical support as the trainer/resource person for the One Health training/workshops
• Support to link human and animal health surveillance using the One Health approach.
• Leads activities to improve national capacity to apply an extended One Health approach to prevent and manage spillovers and/or emerging infectious diseases.
• Contributes to developing/reviewing One Health strategies and frameworks.
• Builds capacity of FHI 360 staff and partners in One Health and zoonotic diseases and how to implement strategies to detect, respond to, and prevent spillover.
• Prepares, organizes, participates in, and provides technical support as a facilitator, trainer, and/or evaluator at the national and subnational One Health events, such as technical meetings, workshops, and simulation exercises in liaison with the key stakeholders.
• Leads engagement with One Health stakeholders for both multilateral agencies, e.g., WHO, FAO, OIE, UNDP, WFP, and local governments.
• Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports related to technical areas of expertise.
• Works closely with the team to ensure project implementation remains technically sound and adheres to company strategy and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Develops or writes technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate research, best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Analyzes project implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategy and guidelines.
• Assess the national OH multisectoral platform’s technical needs and provide technical support to strengthen this platform to provide oversight, guidance, and synchronization to the OH activities conducted by different sectors including the establishment/enhancement of an electronic integrated surveillance data system.
• May create technical portion of the project plan, within the given resources and financial constraints.
• Assists with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan
• Works closely with the Country Project Lead to develop, and monitor technical work plans and budgets, and implement technical activities.
• Participates in client/funder meetings and draft reports/presentations.

Project Design Implementation:

• Develops strategies and tools for designing and implementing specific technical components.
• Supports the Country Project Lead in providing technical assistance to establish and make functional animal antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and/or One Health technical working group (TWG).
• Provides support to conduct and participate in animal AMR and/or One Health TWG meetings or other similar governance structures.
• Monitors project deliverables and reports to supervisors.
• Leads technical project activities and sub-activities and assists with project implementation.
• May implement components of the technical portions of the project plan.
• Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff.

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

• Builds productive working relationships internally and externally.
• Participate in business development meetings with partners and relevant stakeholders.

Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):

• Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation.
• Oversees project timelines and budgets. Assists in the development of donor reports and presentations.
• Tracks technical project spending under broad supervision.
• Tracks Statement of Work (SOW) and budget tracking systems; provides reports to supervisors.
• Coordinate with suppliers for procurements.

Project/Program Reporting:

• Prepares reports and papers summarizing project results and analyzing data sets and technical assessment findings.
• Establishes and maintains SOW and budget tracking systems
• Drafts / prepares client technical reports.
• Creates technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts).

Quality Assurance:

• Develops in-depth knowledge of quality standards through a formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.
• Ensures that established processes to guarantee the technical and programmatic quality of assigned work.
• Coordinates and directs activities to meet client/funder and regulatory requirements. Performs other related duties as required.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures while providing technical support for research studies.
• Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
• Broader knowledge of quality standards
• Proficiency with database management software and online search tools required.
• 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.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with others.
• 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.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require a review of various factors.
• Exercises good judgment with selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
• Decisions may cause delays and affect a work unit or area within a department.
• Identifies and raises issues with senior technical staff
• Networks with key internal and external personnel.
• Decision may cause delays or failure to achieve results that impact departmental goals.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Determines methods and procedures for new projects and assignments.
• Serves as team lead and may mentor other lower-level personnel.
• May supervise junior-level staff.
• Reports to Country Project Lead

Education:

• Master’s degree or its international equivalent in public health, life sciences, surveillance, and diagnostics or a related field focusing on infectious disease detection,
• Project Management (PM) Certification is preferred.

Experience:

• Typically requires 6+ years of relevant experience in public health programs, surveillance, epidemiology, veterinary medicine, AMR, and One Health
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.
• Technical competency in infectious diseases and surveillance systems.
• Strong understanding of the One Health approach, including experience in zoonotic disease management, health systems strengthening, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Ability to analyze complex health data and translate findings into actionable strategies
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in training and mentoring staff and others.
• Proven experience working with government officials, particularly the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Environment, is highly desirable to support strategy development, implementation plans, and decision-making.
• Experience working on contracts
• Proficiency in English and French languages is required.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screens and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

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

Travel Requirements

• Up to 40% local and regional travel