Animal Influenza (OFFLU) Specialist

Descrizione

Animal Influenza (OFFLU) Specialist Sintesi in italiano (traduzione automatica): L'Organizzazione delle Nazioni Unite per l'alimentazione e l'agricoltura (FAO) cerca un Animal Influenza (OFFLU) Specialist da inserire nella Divisione Produzione e Salute Animale, con sede presso la FAO. Il candidato si occuperà di fornire supporto tecnico e scientifico per le attività di sorveglianza dell'influenza aviaria, coordinando le attività di OFFLU relative alla prevenzione, rilevamento e condivisione globale dei dati. Sono richiesti un titolo di studio in scienze veterinarie, biologia o discipline affini, oltre a esperienza nel settore della salute animale e nella sorveglianza epidemiologica. Competenze in analisi dei dati, bioinformatica e capacità di lavorare in team sono essenziali. Il ruolo prevede anche la collaborazione con laboratori di riferimento e partner internazionali, contribuendo a iniziative globali e alla composizione dei vaccini. Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems - for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. The Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) promotes the sustainable development of the livestock sector by integrating scientific expertise and policy support, contributing to FAO’s strategic objectives and Members’ priorities. The assignment will be carried out within the One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW), which leads FAO’s work on transboundary animal diseases, surveillance and early warning through the Emergency Prevention System for Animal Health (EMPRES-AH). Within this framework, FAO co-leads, with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the WOAH/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza (OFFLU) bringing together reference laboratories, scientists and partners to support the prevention and control of animal influenzas. Reporting Lines The consultant will report to the Animal Health Officer (Global Surveillance Coordinator) under the overall guidance of the Chief of the One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH CJW), the Senior Animal Health Officer (EMPRES-AH) and the technical supervision of the OFFLU focal point. The consultant will work in close coordination with other teams including the laboratory unit. Technical Focus Provide technical and scientific support to Avian Influenza surveillance activities, with a primary focus on the coordination and delivery of OFFLU activities related to animal influenza prevention, detection, analysis and global data sharing. Tasks and responsibilities The consultant will contribute to the achievement of FAO and OFFLU strategic objectives, including: • Scientific coordination and technical support o Support implementation and delivery of OFFLU technical activities and workplans; o Contribute to the review, updating and implementation of OFFLU strategic and technical frameworks, and the FAO–WOAH global avian influenza strategy; o Identify research gaps, avoid duplication and promote innovation in influenza research and surveillance; o Provide technical input to global and regional initiatives on animal influenza, including Tripartite/Quadripartite processes; o Contribute to strengthening laboratory capacity and molecular surveillance for influenza and emerging pathogens. • Data analysis, bioinformatics and surveillance o Support collection and analysis of genetic, antigenic and epidemiological influenza data from OFFLU networks; o Contribute to bioinformatics analysis, phylogenetics and interpretation of molecular markers for risk assessment; o Support the development of data-sharing mechanisms and platforms, including considerations related to the Nagoya Protocol; o Contribute to the development of modules within EMPRES‑i related to genomic epidemiology. • Global coordination and partnerships o Support coordination of OFFLU technical groups and liaise with reference laboratories and partners; o Facilitate information sharing across regional laboratory and epidemiology networks; o Strengthen collaboration with international partners including WOAH, WHO and research institutions; o Contribute to the organization of OFFLU meetings, technical consultations and global conferences. • Vaccine composition and global risk assessment processes o Contribute to OFFLU inputs to the WHO Influenza Vaccine Composition Meetings (VCM), including data collection and analysis and preparation of technical reports; o Conduct advanced analysis of genetic and antigenic data to inform vaccine strain selection and risk assessment; o Support development of an animal health vaccine composition process including OFFLU’s Avian Influenza Matching (AIM) to support counties in their avian influenza vaccine strain selection. • Knowledge products and commun