Environment and Wildlife Health Team Lead

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.

We are currently seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Environment and Wildlife Health Team Lead for an upcoming Systems Strengthening for One Health (OH) Activity opportunity in Bangladesh. This position is contingent upon award and will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Project Description:

The Systems Strengthening for One Health Activity will strengthen Bangladesh's Global Health Security architecture that will allow early detection of diseases in the animal, human, and environmental interfaces minimizing societal disruption, and prevent avoidable death. The activity will support three key objectives: 1) Strengthen Systems for Multi-Sectoral One Health Governance and Coordination; 2) Strengthen One Health Infectious Disease Surveillance and Laboratory Systems and 3) Reduced Threats of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Position Description:

The Environment and Wildlife Health Team Lead (EWHTL) will serve as the key technical expert and leader of the environment and wildlife health related components for this project and will be responsible for developing and leading the Environment and Wildlife Health technical approaches. The EWHTL will work closely with the project animal health and public health technical leads and provide technical support in the development, modification, and implementation of a One Health approach, including but not limited to policies, strategies, guidelines, and Standard Operating Procedures to support Government of Bangladesh entities responsible for One Health, conservation, sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems initiatives.

The EWHTL will play a crucial role in coordinating efforts to enhance collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors, with a specific focus on environmental and wildlife sector. These efforts should improve capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to priority zoonotic diseases, AMR and improving real time disease surveillance system from environmental and wildlife sources in Bangladesh. This position requires a strong background in environmental science, wildlife conservation, and team leadership.

Job Summary/Responsibilities:

Provide technical leadership to the Environment and Wildlife Health team within the project.

• Represents the organization and to external entities including OH secretariats, pertinent Government authorities including the Department of Environment (DoE), Forest Department, both national and international non-governmental organizations, as well as the private sector, maintaining an ongoing connection for all matters concerning the environment and wildlife aspects of the project.
• Develops strategies that align with project goals including enhancing the integration of wildlife and environmental health into the broader OH framework.
• Designs, introduces, and contextualizes globally recognized environmental and wildlife health practices to strengthen OH systems of Bangladesh to prepare for and respond to epidemics, pandemics, and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
• Promotes partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders in the human health, veterinary, and environmental sectors.
• Oversees initiatives to monitor and manage the health of wildlife populations in alignment with the OH approach.
• Leads the design, development, planning, and implementation of strategies and activities for disease prevention, early detection, and response within the wildlife and environment sectors.
• Leads efforts to mitigate the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, including collaborating with experts to develop action plans that address the interface between wildlife, domestic animals, the environment and human health.
• Utilizes epidemiological and cutting-edge technologies and methods to monitor and enhance disease surveillance systems within the sectors under their responsibility to advance timely detection of potential health threats.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, and other activities to support outreach of OH activities in country.
• Assists in the development and review of work plans, detailed implementation plans, and budgets as well as donor required reports.
• Facilitates regular communication, including hosting meetings and participating in site visits.
• Develops or supports the drafting of technical briefs, reports, best practices and policies or other necessary materials to facilitate project activities.
• Helps coordinate and direct activities to meet client/funder and regulatory requirements.
• Provides advisory and technical support on environment and wildlife health including develops tools for the design and implementation of training programmes, technical documents including sampling protocols, testing procedures, and SOPs.
  • Ensures technical implementation is consistent with best practices and meet client / funder contractual obligations for environmental and wildlife.
  • May supervise junior technical staff members, sub-contractors, and others implementing technical project work.
  • Oversee technical activities to monitor the progress specifically in the wildlife and environmental sectors and ensure project activities are on track with work plans with budgets.
  • Develops tools related to environmental or wildlife health, with a focus on cross-sectoral collaboration and zoonotic disease management. Significant experience working in the field of Global Health Security and One Health is required.
  • Continually maintains a dialogue and knowledge exchange to drive holistic solutions to OH challenges.
  • Develops and implements technical training and capacity building programs for project team members, local communities, and relevant stakeholders. Empower them with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute effectively to OH efforts.
  • Collates and uploads output and deliverables data to sponsor data systems. Prepares and delivers presentations to sponsors on progress.
  • Represents the organization and / or Institute to external entities at professional meetings and conferences.
  • Maintains collaborative relationships with donor/client organizations, relevant government agencies, bilateral and other NGOs (non governmental organizations) and consistently maintained and viewed as a knowledgeable resource in their technical area.
  • Performs other relevant duties as may be assigned by the COP.

    Required Qualifications:

    • Master’s Degree or higher in environmental sciences, zoology, veterinary medicine or a related field.
    • Minimum of 8+ years of relevant experience related to environmental or wildlife health, with a focus on cross-sectoral collaboration and zoonotic disease management. Significant experience working in the field of Global Health Security and One Health is required.
    • Documented experience providing technical assistance, capacity building and business development in the specific technical domain.
    • Familiarity with priority zoonotic diseases from wildlife sources in Bangladesh
    • Strong understanding of the OH concept, zoonotic disease dynamics, and environmental health challenges in Bangladesh.
    • Demonstrated experience in OH governance, laboratory systems, surveillance, outbreak investigation, and outbreak response is desired.
    • Exceptional leadership skills, with a track record of managing teams and guiding projects to success.
    • Field experience and previous experience in work with sampling from environmental and wildlife sources.
    • Familiarity with local regulations, programs and operations including regulatory and reporting.
    • Ability to successfully work and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including communities, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and international organizations including FAO, WOAH, and UNEP.
    • Previous experience working on USG or other bilateral or multilateral projects.
    • Excellent interpersonal, writing, and English language skills.
    • Fluency in written and spoken Bangla is required.
    • Legally authorized to work in Bangladesh.

      How to Apply:

      Interested candidates can apply through the FHI 360 career page at https://www.fhi360.org/careers

      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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