ABOUT FHI 360:

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, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing creating a unique mix of capabilities to address todays interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

FHI 360 has worked in the Philippines for over 30 years. Since 1994, we have taken a comprehensive approach providing holistic and cutting-edge solutions to help address the countrys 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. governments (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 USGs 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 countrys 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 responseparticularly in strategic-depth areas with elevated zoonotic, cross-border, wildlife, and animalhuman 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 humananimalwildlife 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:

Bachelors degree or its international equivalent in Public Health, Epidemiology, Allied Health, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, Infectious Diseases or related field. Masters 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…