This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to Zimbabwe’s national health security agenda by strengthening veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and One Health coordination systems. The incumbent will play a key role in building sustainable animal health systems capable of preventing, detecting and responding to zoonotic and transboundary animal disease threats.
Job Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Harare
- Category: Veterinary Science
- Closing Date: 2026-09-08
Key Responsibilities
- Support strengthening of national animal disease surveillance, reporting and early warning systems.
- Conduct epidemiological investigations, disease trend analyses and risk assessments.
- Generate epidemiological intelligence products, technical briefs and disease situation reports.
- Support development and implementation of surveillance protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
- Strengthen surveillance at livestock-wildlife-human interfaces.
- Support preparedness planning for zoonotic diseases and animal health emergencies.
- Participate in outbreak investigations and emergency response missions.
- Contribute to contingency planning, simulation exercises and after-action reviews.
- Support 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 implementation of One Health approaches for zoonotic disease prevention and AMR containment.
- Contribute to project planning, monitoring, reporting and stakeholder engagement activities.
Requirements
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree) in Veterinary Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Public Health, One Health, Animal Health or related discipline
- Minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience in veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, emergency preparedness, animal health programme implementation, or related areas
- Working knowledge (Level C) of English
- National 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.
- Experience with GIS, epidemiological software and disease mapping tools is desirable.
- Familiarity with WOAH standards and international animal health frameworks.
- Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multisectoral teams.
- Demonstrated experience working with government institutions and development partners
Salary
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How to Apply
About the Company
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialised UN agency that has operated in Zimbabwe since 1981, with its country office located in Harare. In Zimbabwe, FAO works alongside the Government of Zimbabwe, farmers, and development partners to strengthen food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and build resilience against climate shocks such as drought. Its programmes cover areas including crop and livestock production, fisheries, forestry, land and water management, and emergency response to food crises. FAO Zimbabwe also supports national policy development and provides technical assistance to smallholder farmers across the country's rural provinces.
Working for a world free of hunger and malnutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Veterinary Epidemiologist role with the FAO in 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 a related field. Registration with the Veterinary Council of Zimbabwe (VCZ) is mandatory, and experience with disease surveillance systems like the Zimbabwe Livestock Identification and Traceability System (ZLITS) is highly valued.
What does a typical day look like for a Veterinary Epidemiologist working with the FAO in Zimbabwe?
Daily tasks include analysing livestock disease outbreak data from provincial veterinary services, supporting field investigations in communal and commercial farming areas, and collaborating with the Department of Veterinary Services on early-warning reporting. You’ll often travel to rural districts—such as Matabeleland South or Mashonaland East—to train extension officers and verify surveillance data using mobile tools aligned with national One Health frameworks.
How does local work culture in Zimbabwe influence expectations for this role?
Respect for hierarchy and formal communication with government counterparts (e.g., Provincial Veterinary Officers) is expected, and fluency in at least one local language (Shona or Ndebele) supports effective community engagement. Punctuality and relationship-building through face-to-face meetings remain important, especially when coordinating across ministries like Health and Agriculture.
What realistic career progression paths exist for Veterinary Epidemiologists in Zimbabwe after working with FAO?
Many progress into senior technical roles within Zimbabwe’s Department of Veterinary Services or the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. Others transition into regional leadership positions with SADC or AU-IBAR, or pursue academic roles at local universities—often supported by FAO-sponsored fellowships or partnerships with institutions like the Africa Centres for Disease Control.