Technical Specialist, Animal Health

FHI 360 is an international non-governmental organization that, in Vietnam, promotes the health and well-being of the Vietnamese people, particularly vulnerable and marginalized populations. It works with the Vietnam Ministry of Health and other national bodies, as well as provincial and district-level health services to achieve project aims.

FHI 360 is currently implementing programs to address HIV prevention, testing, and treatment; combatting trafficking in persons; tuberculosis case finding and treatment; clinical research; anti-microbial resistance; health system strengthening; non-communicable diseases; maternal and child health and nutrition; and diagnostic and laboratory services.

We are currently seeking qualified and highly motivated Vietnamese candidates to fill in the Technical Specialist, Animal Health position for the Fleming Fund Country Grant for Vietnam - Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance in Vietnam, based in Hanoi.

Period of performance: from May 2022 through 31 December 2022

Project Description:

FHI 360 seeks a Technical Specialist - Animal Health for the extension period of the Fleming Fund Country Grant for Vietnam—Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance in Vietnam. The Country Grant will address critical gaps in surveillance of antibiotic resistant bacteria in Vietnam. This grant will support implementation of national plans for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and will focus on selected number of AMR surveillance sites in animal health (AH) sector. We will work closely with local entities that are already involved in AMR/AMU surveillance, oversight and improvement activities, local and national Technical Working Groups, national and regional reference laboratories for human and animal health, other government and national and international non-government stakeholders, and Mott MacDonald, the Fleming Fund Management Agent.

Job Summary / Responsibilities:

The Technical Specialist, Animal Health will be responsible for activities related to strengthening the capacity and systems for AMR/AMU surveillance in animals. This position is based in Hanoi with field visits to different parts of Vietnam. Specific responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

Provide technical assistance to collect, assemble, and review data related to AMR and AMU patterns in human or animal populations.
Provide technical assistance/participate in epidemiological investigations (e.g., source, antibiotic use, and spread of infection).
Provide technical assistance to the AH reference laboratory, surveillance laboratories, and/or animal AMR/AMU surveillance sites to for assessment and improvement plans, operation of the referral surveillance network to collect and transfer the specimens and isolates for AMR testing
Participate in supervision and onsite training, coaching and mentoring to AMR/AMU surveillance sites at animal health sectors and related partners.
Provide technical assistance for sample collection, coordination, transport and testing for surveillance activities
Provide technical assistance to prepare and submit quarterly/semi-annually/annually reports and other AMR/AMU-related data and report as per the donors’, national and global requirements. Share the findings including AMR/AMU trends to animal AMR/AMU TWG or one health TWG quarterly and annually
Support Project Lead to participate in and provide technical assistance to support and guide the animal AMR/AMU TWG.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or other relevant subject and 5 years of experience in animal health, a clinical (preferably including microbiology, AMR/AMU or disease surveillance) laboratory, or a related area. Microbiologists with relevant work experience are preferred. This combination of education and work experience would provide the following relevant specialized knowledge and skills in areas associated with animal health:

Animal nutrition, care, treatment, and prevention
Understanding of human health/one health and how it all interacts with animal health
Microbiology and related laboratory techniques
Biosafety and biosecurity and how to apply principles
Ability to communicate and coordinate with stakeholders
Ability to work efficiently and effectively in an IT environment
Strong coordination, communication, and interpersonal aptitudes
Fluency in English
AMR/AMU and disease surveillance and other relevant health programs (strongly preferred)
Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the ethical issues surrounding research and surveillance