Job Summary
- Type: contract
- Location: Harare
- Category: Veterinary Science
- Closing Date: 2026-09-08
Key Responsibilities
- Support the strengthening of national animal disease surveillance, reporting and early warning systems.
- Conduct epidemiological investigations, disease trend analyses and risk assessments.
- Develop epidemiological intelligence products, technical briefs and disease situation reports.
- Support the development and implementation of surveillance protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
- Strengthen surveillance at livestock-wildlife-human interfaces.
- Supporting preparedness planning for zoonotic diseases and animal health emergencies.
- Participating in outbreak investigations and emergency response missions.
- Contributing to contingency planning, simulation exercises and after-action reviews.
- Supporting the strengthening of rapid response and incident management capacities.
- Facilitate epidemiology, surveillance and One Health training programmes.
- Support implementation of ISAVET and related field epidemiology initiatives.
- Promote application of WOAH standards and best practices.
- Strengthen linkages between veterinary field services and laboratory networks.
- Promote integrated surveillance and information sharing across animal, human, wildlife and environmental sectors.
- Support One Health approaches to zoonotic disease prevention and antimicrobial resistance containment.
- Contribute to project planning, monitoring, reporting and stakeholder engagement.
Requirements
- At least five years of relevant professional experience in veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, emergency preparedness, animal health programme implementation or related fields.
- An advanced university degree (master’s degree) in Veterinary Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Public Health, One Health, Animal Health or a related discipline.
- Working knowledge of English at Level C.
- Nationality of Zimbabwe.
- Strong knowledge of veterinary epidemiology and animal disease surveillance systems.
- Experience conducting outbreak investigations and emergency response activities.
- Knowledge of zoonotic diseases, transboundary animal diseases and One Health approaches.
- Experience in epidemiological analysis, disease intelligence and risk assessment.
- Experience using epidemiological databases, disease reporting systems and surveillance information platforms.
- Strong analytical, communication and technical report-writing skills.
- Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multisectoral teams.
- Experience working with government institutions and development partners.
- Experience with GIS, epidemiological software and disease mapping tools is desirable, as is familiarity with WOAH standards and international animal health frameworks.
How to Apply
Job Code: 2601825
About the Company
FAO Zimbabwe is the country office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, based in Harare. It implements diverse initiatives across Zimbabwe's agriculture sector in support of FAO's Resilience Strategy for Southern Africa. Its work spans climate-resilient farming, food security, livestock health, and sustainable natural resource management. The office partners with the Government of Zimbabwe, development agencies, and local communities to strengthen rural livelihoods. Through these programmes, FAO Zimbabwe contributes to building a more resilient and food-secure nation.
Working for a food-secure Zimbabwe through resilient agriculture
Website: https://www.fao.org/zimbabwe/en
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Veterinary Epidemiologist role with FAO Zimbabwe?
A Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science from a Zimbabwean university (e.g., University of Zimbabwe or Midlands State University) is essential, plus a Master’s in Epidemiology, Public Health, or Veterinary Public Health. Registration with the Veterinary Council of Zimbabwe (VCZ) is mandatory, and prior experience in disease surveillance or outbreak response within Zimbabwe’s livestock or wildlife sectors is highly valued.
What does a typical day look like for a Veterinary Epidemiologist working with FAO Zimbabwe?
Daily tasks include analysing animal disease data from provincial veterinary services, supporting field investigations during outbreaks (e.g., Rift Valley Fever or Peste des Petits Ruminants), and training district-level officers on surveillance protocols. You’ll often collaborate with the Department of Veterinary Services and local NGOs, requiring travel to rural areas and participation in inter-agency coordination meetings in Harare or Bulawayo.
How does the local work culture in Zimbabwe affect expectations for this role?
Respect for hierarchy and formal communication with senior officials—especially within government veterinary structures—is expected. Punctuality and relationship-building matter; delays due to logistical challenges (e.g., transport, internet access) are common, so adaptability and proactive problem-solving are key strengths employers observe.
What realistic career progression paths exist for Veterinary Epidemiologists in Zimbabwe’s public and development sectors?
With experience, professionals often advance to lead national disease control programmes, become technical advisors for regional bodies like SADC-PFMA, or transition into senior roles with FAO, WHO, or AU-IBAR. Some pursue PhDs locally or regionally and return to lecturing at Zimbabwean universities while engaging in applied research.
What benefits—such as leave, medical aid, or pension—are typically offered in this role?
FAO Zimbabwe offers standard UN staff benefits including annual leave, medical insurance covering dependents, and participation in the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund. Local hires may receive additional allowances aligned with Zimbabwean labour law, such as maternity/paternity leave and sick leave, administered through FAO’s Zimbabwe office in accordance with national regulations.