One Health, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) & Zoonotic Diseases Lead, Global Health Security (GHS)

About EVIHDAF

EVIHDAF (www.evihdaf.com) is an international research and development organization headquartered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, which serves the West and Central Africa region. We have an office in Niamey, Niger, and a Data Unit satellite office in Parakou, Benin. Utilizing a diverse array of approaches rooted in rigorous design, adaptive, cutting-edge, and locally relevant methods, we provide services in Health Program Implementation and Scale-Up; Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (RMEL); Data Systems for Decision-Making; and Capacity Strengthening. We are positioned to serve as a Regional Hub for the coordination of various initiatives in West & Central Africa. Our practice areas include Health and Health Systems, Nutrition and Food Security, Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience, and Population Migration and Displacements.

Position Overview

EVIHDAF and its partners are looking for an experienced One Health, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Zoonotic Diseases Lead in anticipation of a Global Health Security (GHS) project funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The One Health, AMR, and Zoonotic Diseases Lead provides senior technical leadership and strategic direction for the integration of human, animal, and environmental health initiatives under the CDC Global Health Security (GHS) project. The lead will liaise with other technical leads to ensure project synergies and efficiency. Reporting to the Project Director, this role is responsible for strengthening multi-sectoral coordination to prevent, detect, and respond to zoonotic spillovers and antimicrobial resistance in strict alignment with the America First Global Health Strategy. The Lead ensures that project activities support the new Bilateral Agreements on Global Health Cooperation. This position requires a high degree of flexibility, the ability to lead diverse technical teams under pressure, and the cultural competence to facilitate the transition of One Health functions to partner government ownership.

Specific Responsibilities

One Health Strategic Leadership and Coordination

• Lead the design and implementation of the project’s One Health strategy, ensuring seamless coordination between human health, veterinary, and environmental sectors to protect populations from infectious disease threats.
• Facilitate the functionality of national multi-sectoral One Health platforms and Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to improve information sharing and joint outbreak investigations, ensuring these platforms are sustainable through domestic co-investment.
• Support the integration of One Health priorities into national surveillance systems, emergency operating procedures, and laboratory networks, prioritizing smart and strategic investments that avoid duplication.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance and Stewardship

• Provide technical assistance to strengthen national AMR and Antimicrobial Use (AMU) surveillance systems in alignment with the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) and the America First objective of protecting the U.S. and partners from resistant pathogens.
• Oversee the improvement of laboratory capacity to detect and report priority resistant pathogens, ensuring effective data flow from clinical and veterinary labs to national surveillance hubs using interoperable digital tools.
• Support the development and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in both human and animal health settings, leveraging partnerships with private sector and faith-based organizations.
• Facilitate the use of AMR data to inform national policy, treatment guidelines, and public health interventions.

Zoonotic Disease Surveillance and Spillover Prevention

• Strengthen surveillance and reporting systems for priority zoonotic diseases (e.g., Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, Rabies, Anthrax, Zoonotic Influenza) at the human-animal interface to achieve the 7-1-7 target.
• Lead the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for joint risk assessments and coordinated responses to zoonotic outbreaks.
• Provide technical guidance on biosecurity and biosafety measures in high-risk settings, including live animal markets and border areas.
• Collaborate with the Surveillance and Epidemiology Lead to integrate zoonotic data into electronic disease surveillance platforms (e.g., DHIS2) ensuring data is accessible for rapid decision-making.

Capacity Building and Advocacy

• Support the development of multi-sectoral training curricula and mentorship on the “One Health” workforce, AMR laboratory methods, zoonotic disease investigation, and integrated data analysis to build local expertise.
• Promote the inclusion of One Health and AMR modules into Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETP) and other relevant professional development initiatives.
• Support the design and tracking of performance indicators related to AMR and One Health core capacities, including progress toward the 7-1-7 targets.

Key Experience and Qualifications

• Educational Background: Advanced degree (PhD, DVM, MD, or MPH) in Public Health, Veterinary Medicine, Microbiology, or a related field with a strong focus on infectious diseases or One Health.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 10years of experience in managing or implementing public health programs, with at least 5 years specifically focused on AMR, zoonotic diseases, or multi-sectoral health initiatives.
• Donor Expertise: Prior strong experience on U.S. Government (USG) funding projects is essential. Familiarity with the America First Global Health Strategy, Bilateral Agreements on Global Health Cooperation, and the GHSA Action Packages is highly desirable.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of the One Health approach, IHR (2005) core capacities, international standards for AMR surveillance (GLASS), and the 7-1-7 target. Knowledge of One Health integration strategies across human, animal, and environmental sectors.
• Soft Skills: Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, manage complex multi-sectoral priorities, and maintain flexibility in dynamic environments.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English; fluency in French is highly desirable.
• Cultural Competence: Proven experience navigating complex governmental hierarchies and the ability to build trust across different sectors and with faith-based and private sector partners.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel internationally and sub-nationally as required (up to 20%).

How to apply?

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application package via email to Recruitment@evihdaf.com, with subject line “One Health, AMR & Zoonotic Diseases Lead – GHS”.

The application package must include:

1. A Cover Letter (maximum three pages) detailing the candidate’s relevant experience and suitability for the position.
2. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum of seven (7) pages), including the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional referees.

The position will remain open until it is filled.

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Other related vacancies can be accessed at https://www.evihdaf.com/job-openings/