Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide and has started working in Sri Lanka since 1979 with its Representation (Country Office) opened in Colombo.
The FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, and through four Betters (Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life) and leaving no one behind.
Context:
The project \"One Vision, One Shield: Sri Lanka’s Integrated One Health Pandemic Preparedness & Response\" (GCP/SRL/086/PAF) aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s pandemic preparedness through a One Health approach, targeting human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Substantial component of the project is led by FAO, in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, and the World Bank. The project focuses on enhancing surveillance, laboratory biosafety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) management, and workforce capacities across the country. Activities include upgrading laboratory infrastructures, developing integrated early warning systems, and implementing multisectoral trainings. Implementation will be managed through direct FAO oversight with technical and operational support from regional and headquarters offices, alongside collaboration with national entities such as the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC). The project has a three-year duration (2025–2027).
The Pandemic Fund project aims to update the national guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for animal health early warning systems, and to identify triggers and anticipatory actions necessary for the early detection and control of transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases. These measures are intended to mitigate the potential impact of such diseases on public health, food security, and livelihoods.
Key activities include:
• Conducting a historical impact analysis of animal and zoonotic disease outbreaks in Sri Lanka and their correlation with climate change patterns.
• Organizing stakeholder consultation and validation workshops.
• Strengthening existing early warning systems and surveillance capacities
• Developing a national anticipatory action protocol, including clearly defined trigger points.
• Conducting simulation exercises to test and refine the protocols and response mechanisms.
An anticipatory action initiative requires a disease specific trigger which enable to activate the anticipatory action protocols when the trigger levels reached. Developing a trigger requires a comprehensive analysis of historical impacts of selected animal and zoonotic diseases. This study also expects to study the correlation between the animal and zoonotic disease outbreaks and the climate events.
Reporting Lines
The Trigger Development Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes). Working closely with the Anticipatory Action Coordinator of the FAO Sri Lanka.
Technical Focus
The objective of the assignment is to analyse and develop and validate the triggering methodologies and impact-based forecasting for Anticipatory Action in Sri Lanka. The role with further support the standardization of the process and work closely with government counterparts and partners to support mainstreaming and outreach efforts.
Tasks and responsibilities
The Trigger Development Specialist will be responsible for the following specific tasks:
• Conduct impact analysis on animal or zoonotic disease outbreaks
• Study the correlation between the animal and zoonotic disease outbreaks and the climate events.
• Support the technical aspects of developing triggers and exploring the application of impact-based forecasting for animal/zoonotic diseases
• Validate the triggers thresholds levels in consultation with the stakeholders
• Develop a trigger development methodology for animal and zoonotic disease
• Perform other duties as requested
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• PhD/MD 5 years or Masters 10 years’ experience in epidemiology, veterinary sciences, medical sciences, public health, environmental or climate sciences, data science, or a related discipline relevant to animal or zoonotic disease surveillance and early warning systems.
• 5 or 10 years’ of experience in epidemiology, veterinary sciences, medical sciences, public health, environmental or climate sciences, data science, or a related discipline relevant to animal or zoonotic disease surveillance and early warning systems.
• Working knowledge of English and Sinhala/Tamil
• National of Sri Lanka or resident of the country with a valid work permit
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Demonstrated experience and good knowledge of national disaster risk management in including health hazard management;
• Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with multiple institutional actors in diverse sectors and at diverse levels;
• Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork and ability to work in teams and establish working relationships with central and local government institutions and civil society organizations;
• Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Internet);
• Understanding of FAO policies and programme is considered a strong asset.
• Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners in Sri Lanka at all levels (Ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs, and local community-based organizations)
• Experience working with preparing reports and presenting information visually.
Selection Criteria
• Working with multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral teams, including government stakeholders, research institutions, and/or international organizations is an added advantage.
• The candidate should have a strong background in integrating climate and weather data into health surveillance frameworks and demonstrated experience in establishing or supporting animal health emergency surveillance systems that link health information providers and users across sectors.