JOB DESCRIPTION

Title : Animal Health Advisor

Report To : STRIDES Project Director

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in a long way by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, 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 US states and territories.

FHI 360 has worked in Bangladesh for more than 45 years. Since 1975, we have taken a comprehensive approach to help transform the country’s health and development landscape. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Bangladesh delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services—including HIV and nutrition, tuberculosis, global health security, and economic participation.

This position is contingent upon funding from the Department of State (DOS).

Project Description:

A disease can spread from any remote village to any major city on all continents in as little as 36 hours. Increased international travel and trade, population growth and movement, greater urbanization, and insufficient attention to existing weak health systems are key drivers for the emergence of infectious diseases. The U.S. government’s (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USG’s GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust in a country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services. STRIDES aims to increase a country’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE) scores by supporting national governments to strengthen core capacities — including laboratory and surveillance systems strengthening and emergency response operations — thereby improving compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR) and overall global health security.

Position Summary:

The Advisor – Animal Health will provide high-level technical leadership to strengthen animal health systems as part of the STRIDES (Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems) project in Bangladesh. The position plays a critical role in advancing the country’s Global Health Security agenda by supporting the prevention, early detection, and effective response to zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases through a One Health approach.

The Advisor will contribute to the design and implementation of integrated animal health interventions aligned with STRIDES objectives, including strengthening national and subnational surveillance systems (event-based and indicator-based), enhancing laboratory detection capacity, and improving data collection, analysis, and use for evidence-based decision-making. The role will specifically support multisectoral coordination between animal health and public health institutions, including collaboration with government stakeholders such as the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MOFL), Department of Livestock Services (DLS), and One Health platforms.

The position will provide technical input to joint assessments, risk analyses, and system strengthening initiatives aimed at identifying gaps in zoonotic disease detection, laboratory functionality, biosafety and biosecurity, and surveillance systems. The Advisor will support the development and review of technical guidelines, SOPs, and national frameworks to improve coordinated preparedness and response to priority zoonotic diseases.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Leadership and Advisory

• Provide technical leadership on animal health systems strengthening, zoonotic disease prevention, and control.
• Provide technical advice on animal health surveillance systems, including improving data collection, analysis, and use.
• Ensure alignment of animal health interventions with STRIDES objectives and national priorities.
• Promote integration of One Health principles across all relevant activities.

2. Surveillance Systems Strengthening

• Support development and strengthening of event-based (EBS) and indicator-based surveillance (IBS) systems.
• Contribute to multisectoral surveillance approaches for priority zoonotic diseases.
• Support community-based surveillance initiatives and field-level implementation.

3. Laboratory and Diagnostic Systems Support

• Provide technical input to strengthen animal health laboratory systems and diagnostic capacity.
• Contribute to joint assessments of laboratory systems, including identification of gaps and recommendations.
• Support improvements in specimen referral systems, biosafety, and biosecurity practices.

4. One Health Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support integration and coordination between animal health and public health institutions.
• Participate in and contribute to technical working groups, coordination meetings, and stakeholder forums.
• Support joint risk assessments, technical discussions, and multisectoral coordination mechanisms.

5. Technical Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Review and contribute to technical documents, SOPs, guidelines, and policies related to zoonotic diseases.
• Contribute animal health perspectives to training materials, workshops, and technical briefs.
• Support documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and technical outputs.

6. Capacity Building

• Support design and delivery of training programs for veterinary professionals and relevant stakeholders.
• Provide mentoring and on-the-job technical support to strengthen workforce capacity.
• Contribute to development of training tools and materials aligned with project objectives.

7. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Contribute to development and tracking of relevant indicators and performance metrics.
• Support data analysis, interpretation, and reporting for program improvement.
• Promote use of data for evidence-based decision-making.

8. Outbreak Preparedness and Response

• Provide technical support during outbreak investigations and response activities.
• Support rapid response teams and coordination with emergency operations mechanisms.
• Contribute to real-time training and capacity building during outbreak response.

9. Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure activities comply with donor requirements and organizational policies.
• Maintain high standards of technical quality, documentation, and reporting.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Veterinary Science, Animal Health, or related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in animal health, zoonotic diseases, or veterinary public health programs.
• Demonstrated experience in surveillance systems, laboratory strengthening, or One Health initiatives.
• Experience working with government institutions and international development projects.
• Strong experience in technical writing, SOP development, and documentation.
• Experience supporting outbreak response and emergency preparedness is an asset.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills in English.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong technical expertise in animal health and zoonotic diseases
• Knowledge of Global Health Security frameworks (IHR, JEE, One Health)
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Stakeholder coordination and partnership management
• Ability to work in complex, multi-sectoral environments
• Strong facilitation, training, and mentoring skills
• Adaptability and ability to work under pressure, especially during outbreaks

Travel Requirements

• Regular travel to national and subnational project sites as required.

Typical Physical Demands:

● Typical office environment.

● Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.

● Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

● Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Travel Requirements: 10% local and regional travel

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work and are subject to modification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities

The expected hiring salary range for this role is BDT 3,900,000 - 5,000,000 annully for gross salary. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay, and budget.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

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