Senior Technical Specialist, Zoonotic Diseases

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 2,200 experts work in over 50 countries around the world.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

FHI 360 has worked in the Philippines for over 30 years and have taken a comprehensive approach by providing holistic and cutting-edge solutions to help address the country’s health and development challenges. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services – including HIV and epidemic control (COVID-19 and TB), health system strengthening, and global health security.

The U.S. Government’s (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USG’s GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust in a country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services.

Position Summary:

The Senior Technical Specialist – Zoonotic Diseases will provide applied technical leadership and implementation support for STRIDES activities related to the prevention, detection, and response to priority zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases. The position focuses on operationalizing multisectoral interventions on the ground, translating national strategies and technical guidance into practical actions at regional, local, and facility levels. Working under the overall technical leadership of the Surveillance Strengthening Technical Advisor and in collaboration with other technical advisors and technical specialists, the Senior Technical Specialist will support the delivery of zoonotic disease activities across surveillance, laboratory systems, biosafety and biosecurity (BSS), emergency preparedness, and outbreak response—particularly in strategic-depth areas with elevated zoonotic, cross-border, wildlife, and animal–human interface risks. The role emphasizes field implementation, coordination with subnational counterparts, and hands-on technical support, rather than national policy formulation. The Senior Technical Specialist will work closely with Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Local Government Units, laboratories, and implementing partners to ensure that zoonotic disease interventions are coherent, timely, and operationally effective.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Multisectoral Coordination for Zoonotic Disease Prevention, Detection, and Response:

• Support implementation of zoonotic disease prevention, detection, and response activities aligned with the STRIDES Philippines workplan, including those related to priority pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential.
• Assist in operationalizing multisectoral approaches at the national, regional and local levels, strengthening coordination among human health, animal health, wildlife, and other relevant sectors.
• Support coordination with DOH, DA, DENR, and other PhilCZ member agencies to harmonize surveillance, outbreak response, and information sharing workflows and mechanisms
• Support field-based surveillance and response activities at human–animal–wildlife interfaces, including high-risk production systems, markets, ports of entry, and border areas.

Zoonotic Disease Detection and Surveillance Implementation:

• Provide technical and operational support to zoonotic disease surveillance activities, including Community Event-based Surveillance, sentinel surveillance, and outbreak investigation.
• Support linkage between epidemiologic data, laboratory, and genomic surveillance in close coordination with DOH Epidemiology Bureau, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), and DA-BAI
• Support surveillance activities for zoonotic diseases by strengthening specimen referral pathways, field coordination, data and metadata capture, data analysis, reporting, and integration of results into public health response

Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Facility-Level Zoonotic Risk Reduction:

• Support implementation of biosafety and biosecurity-related activities in laboratories and facilities handling zoonotic pathogens, ensuring alignment with national standards and STRIDES priorities.
• Assist in mapping and prioritization of laboratories with multi-disease diagnostic capacity (including zoonotic and other programs) to guide strengthening interventions.
• Support field-level assessments and follow-up actions related to biosafety practices, specimen handling, and infection risk mitigation

Outbreak Preparedness, Simulations, and Response Support:

• Support after-action reviews (AARs), development of improvement plans, and documentation of implementation models
• Provide technical support to outbreak investigations and response activities involving zoonotic threats, under the direction of the Technical Advisor and Project leadership.
• Support Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) by contributing zoonotic and multisectoral technical input during preparedness and response operations.

Strategic Assistance and Capacity Strengthening:

• Support delivery of practical capacity-building activities for regional and local counterparts, including mentoring, on-the-job coaching, and targeted trainings related to zoonotic disease detection, surveillance, outbreak response, and genomic surveillance.
• Contribute to development and adaptation of technical tools, SOPs, job aids, and guidance materials related to zoonotic detection, response, surveillance, and coordination.
• Support the delivery of trainings and learning activities

Coordination, Reporting, and Knowledge Management

• Coordinate closely with other technical teams to ensure integrated implementation of zoonotic activities.
• Contribute technical inputs for workplans, activity designs, progress reports, presentations, and other project deliverables related to zoonotic disease components.
• Support preparation of technical briefs, learning products, and presentations for DOH, DA-BAI, USG, and other stakeholders
• Document lessons learned, field experiences, implementation challenges, and good practices to inform project learning and reporting.

Program Support and Compliance

• Support monitoring of assigned activities to ensure alignment with approved workplans, timelines, and donor requirements.
• Respond to technical requests and inquiries from project leadership and partners as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent in Public Health, Epidemiology, Allied Health, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, Infectious Diseases or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Formal training in Field Epidemiology or multisectoral health is preferred and an advantage
• Previous experience working across sectors or in Animal Health is preferred and an advantage.
• Minimum of 6 years working in health or any social development sector on project implementation.
• Substantial previous experience in working with government, private sector, and partners supporting zoonotic disease detection, surveillance, and outbreak investigation
• Demonstrated experience supporting laboratory-based surveillance for infectious and zoonotic diseases
• Experience delivering capacity-building activities for national and subnational counterparts
• Experience in any health emergency response project is an advantage.
• Experience collaborating on projects and coordinating efforts with other program staff, other international health agencies, and private and non-profit organizations.
• Proficiency in English and Filipino/ Tagalog (read, write, and speak)
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization
• Experience on US Government-funded projects is an advantage

WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.
• Technology to be used is Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.
• 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.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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