Animal Influenza (OFFLU) Specialist

The Animal Influenza (OFFLU) Specialist will provide technical and scientific support to Avian Influenza surveillance activities, focusing on coordination and delivery of OFFLU activities related to animal influenza prevention, detection, analysis, and global data sharing. The role involves scientific coordination, data analysis, global partnerships, vaccine composition support, and communication of knowledge products.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation and delivery of OFFLU technical activities and workplans
• Contribute to the review, updating and implementation of OFFLU strategic and technical frameworks, and the FAO–WOAH global avian influenza strategy
• Identify research gaps, avoid duplication and promote innovation in influenza research and surveillance
• Provide technical input to global and regional initiatives on animal influenza, including Tripartite/Quadripartite processes
• Contribute to strengthening laboratory capacity and molecular surveillance for influenza and emerging pathogens
• Support collection and analysis of genetic, antigenic and epidemiological influenza data from OFFLU networks
• Contribute to bioinformatics analysis, phylogenetics and interpretation of molecular markers for risk assessment
• Support the development of data-sharing mechanisms and platforms, including considerations related to the Nagoya Protocol
• Contribute to the development of modules within EMPRES‑i related to genomic epidemiology
• Support coordination of OFFLU technical groups and liaise with reference laboratories and partners
• Facilitate information sharing across regional laboratory and epidemiology networks
• Strengthen collaboration with international partners including WOAH, WHO and research institutions
• Contribute to the organization of OFFLU meetings, technical consultations and global conferences
• Contribute to OFFLU inputs to the WHO Influenza Vaccine Composition Meetings (VCM), including data collection and analysis and preparation of technical reports
• Conduct advanced analysis of genetic and antigenic data to inform vaccine strain selection and risk assessment
• Support development of an animal health vaccine composition process including OFFLU’s Avian Influenza Matching (AIM) to support counties in their avian influenza vaccine strain selection
• Contribute to drafting scientific publications, reports, statements and policy documents
• Support development of communication materials and OFFLU web content
• Assist in updating technical guidelines (e.g. cleavage site documents, diagnostic tools)
• Perform other related duties as required

Requirements

• Advanced University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in veterinary or biological sciences and relevant post-graduate training or experience in virology, laboratory diagnostics and bioinformatics, with focus on animal influenza viruses
• Relevant experience in animal influenza, epidemiology networks, molecular epidemiology, bioinformatics or related fields
• Experience working with international organizations, scientific networks, or research institutions
• At least 1 year (Category C), 5 years (Category B), or 10 years (Category A) of relevant professional experience in bioinformatics and molecular epidemiology
• Working knowledge of English (level C), knowledge of a second FAO language is an asset
• Strong demonstrable expertise in bioinformatics or molecular epidemiology
• Extent and relevance of experience in analyzing and interpreting genomic and antigenic data
• Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating multi-partner scientific networks and processes
• Strong communication skills for scientific and policy-oriented outputs
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and meet deadlines

Skills

• Veterinary Science
• Biological Sciences
• Virology
• Laboratory Diagnostics
• Bioinformatics Analysis
• Animal Influenza
• Epidemiology Networks
• Molecular Epidemiology
• Genomic Data Analysis
• Antigenic Data Interpretation
• Scientific Coordination
• Multi-partner Network Coordination
• Data Analysis
• Global Data Sharing
• Vaccine Composition Support
• Scientific Communication
• Policy-oriented Communication

Languages

English