Senior Technical Advisor Zoonotic Diseases and Surveillance

ABOUT FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full healthy lives. Our staff of more than 2000 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project is a global health initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State running from 2019 to 2027. In the Philippines EpiC has two workplans each with its own technical scope and budget one focused on achieving HIV epidemic control and one focused on strengthening global health security (GHS). The role outlined in this job description supports EpiCs GHS workplan.

EpiCs GHS workplan aims to strengthen national subnational and local capacities for the prevention detection and response to public health emergencies including pandemic preparedness. Support is delivered across multiple technical areas including Zoonotic Diseases Biosafety and Biosecurity National Laboratory Systems Surveillance Public Health Emergency Management Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Evidence-Based Public Health Messaging. All activities and sub-activities under each technical area are aligned with and informed by national priorities and strategies including the National Action Plan for Health Security () the National Framework of the Philippine Health Laboratory System (PHLS) and the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) .

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Technical Advisor Zoonotic Diseases and Surveillance provides technical leadership and operational support for the design and implementation of EpiC/GHS activities related to zoonotic disease prevention integrated surveillance early warning and outbreak detection. The position plays a critical role in translating national strategies and policies into applied field-level systems that strengthen detection verification and response at the humananimalenvironment interface.

Working closely with national counterparts and subnational implementers the Senior Technical Advisor ensures that surveillance and zoonotic disease activities are operationally aligned with laboratory systems biosafety and biosecurity standards emergency response mechanisms and the 717 detection and response framework. The role emphasizes practical implementation coordination across sectors and sustained capacity strengthening rather than standalone technical studies or training-only approaches.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Technical Leadership for Zoonotic Diseases and Surveillance

• Provide senior-level technical leadership in the design implementation and monitoring of EpiC/GHS activities related to zoonotic disease surveillance event-based and indicator-based surveillance and early outbreak detection.
• Provide technical guidance to ensure alignment with national priorities the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and international standards including the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).
• Lead and support the application of the 717 operational framework across zoonotic diseases and surveillance activities at the national and subnational levels.

2. Strengthening Integrated Surveillance Systems

• Support DOH Epidemiology Bureau DA-Bureau of Animal Industry and partner agencies to strengthen integrated surveillance systems including community event-based surveillance sentinel and syndromic surveillance and outbreak verification systems.
• Contribute to improving functionality data quality and operational use of surveillance platforms including PIDSR EBS and case-based reporting systems.
• Support linkage between epidemiologic surveillance laboratory confirmation and genomic surveillance outputs to shorten time from signal detection to action.
• Provide technical input to guide the design development and optimization of surveillance tool functionalities to support data-driven decision-making.

3. Field-Level and Strategic Depth Implementation

• Provide on-the-ground technical support and guidance to Regional Provincial and Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (RESUs PESUs LESUs) hospitals and LGUs in priority regions identified in the workplan.
• Mentor subnational teams on outbreak detection signal verification rapid investigation and reporting workflows with particular attention to geographically isolated and disadvantaged (GIDA) and high-risk areas.
• Support joint humananimal surveillance activities in high-risk settings such as border areas ports of entry live animal markets and agricultural production zones.

4. Zoonotic Disease and Multisectoral Coordination

• Facilitate and strengthen multi-sectoral coordination among human animal and environmental health stakeholders to enhance surveillance information sharing and response pathways.
• Provide technical guidance and input to multisectoral simulation exercises after-action reviews and outbreak preparedness activities involving DOH DA DENR LGUs and other partners.
• Support identification and monitoring of zoonotic spillover risks and priority pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential.

5. Emergency Preparedness and Outbreak Response Support

• Provide epidemiologic and surveillance support to Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs) and rapid response teams (RRTs) during outbreaks public health emergencies and simulation exercises.
• Support outbreak investigation risk assessment and situation analysis to inform timely response decisions.
• Ensure surveillance outputs inform facility-level readiness IPC activation and emergency logistics resource deployment.

6. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer

• Contribute to development of SOPs technical guidance job aids training and learning materials related to zoonotic disease surveillance outbreak detection and response.
• Deliver targeted technical assistance coaching and on-the-job mentoring to national and subnational counterparts.
• Promote consistent application of evidence-based practices and quality standards across project sites.

7. Program Coordination and Reporting

• Work closely with the Deputy Project Director Technical Advisors and other technical leads to ensure coordinated and integrated implementation across project components.
• Contribute to annual work planning activity design and refinement and progress reporting related to Zoonotic Diseases and Surveillance components.
• Support preparation of technical briefs reports presentations and learning products for DOH USG and other national and international stakeholders ensuring clear documentation of results lessons learned and scale-up opportunities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelors degree in Epidemiology Public Health or a related field; Medical Degree (MD) or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is preferred
• At least 9 years of progressively responsible experience in Epidemiology Surveillance Zoonotic Disease programs or outbreak response at national and/or international level.
• Demonstrated experience working with government public health agencies preferably Department of Health Department of Agriculture and/ or regional and local Epidemiology and Surveillance Units supporting national and subnational surveillance systems
• Substantial experience providing field-based technical assistance to regional and local health systems
• Strong working knowledge and experience supporting implementation of 7-1-7 operational framework and/ or other outbreak performance metrics
• Demonstrated technical expertise in Zoonotic Disease Surveillance outbreak detection verification and response including application of One Health principles
• Experience supporting multisectoral coordination mechanisms particularly strengthening collaboration between human animal and environmental health sectors
• Strong working and practical knowledge of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and global health security frameworks
• Strong analytical coordination and communication skills
• Proficiency in English and Filipino/ Tagalog (read write and speak)
• Experience supporting donor-funded global health security or emergency preparedness programs.
• Years of work experience that demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of technical issues.
• Prior work experience that demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of technical issues
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO) government agency or private organization
• International or Domestic (US) Program Development or Program Management preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Usual office working conditions
• Ability to travel domestically at least 25%

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.

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