Job Title: National Epidemiologist
Job Posting Date: 14 May 2026
Closing Date: 29 May 2026
Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi
Duration: 12 months, with possibility of extension
Contract Type: National Project Personnel
Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Organizational Unit: FAO Representation in Malawi

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is recruiting a National Epidemiologist based in Lilongwe, Malawi, to support animal health surveillance, One Health coordination and pandemic preparedness activities under the SP3ROHAM project.

The position will contribute to strengthening Malawi’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to epidemic and pandemic threats through improved surveillance, early warning systems, laboratory linkages and capacity development.

Organizational Context

FAO has operated in Malawi since 1986, supporting the Government in planning and implementing priority activities aligned with national development objectives.

The assignment falls under Malawi’s Country Programming Framework priority on improved resilience, emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

FAO Malawi is collaborating with the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, the Public Health Institute of Malawi, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, the World Bank, WHO and UNICEF under the approved Pandemic Fund project titled “Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response through the One Health Approach in Malawi”.

Technical Focus

The National Epidemiologist will provide technical leadership and coordination for project components related to:

• Surveillance and early warning systems;
• Capacity development;
• One Health coordination;
• Animal health and zoonotic disease surveillance;
• Epidemiological data analysis and use;
• Preparedness and response to priority zoonotic and emerging threats.

The role will support evidence-based planning, reporting and knowledge products for animal health and One Health priorities in Malawi.

Main Responsibilities

The National Epidemiologist will contribute to the development and review of national strategies, emergency preparedness plans and programmes for high-impact priority zoonotic diseases, emerging and re-emerging animal diseases and other priority threats.

The specialist will design and coordinate surveillance activities, support annual work plans and detailed implementation plans, and contribute to epidemiological protocols and standard operating procedures.

The role also includes organizing technical workshops, supporting field epidemiology training, participatory epidemiology and capacity-building activities for veterinarians, animal health technicians, community animal health workers, farmers and relevant public and environmental health stakeholders.

One Health and Capacity Development

The selected candidate will support the operationalization of the epidemiological component of Malawi’s national One Health platform, strengthening collaboration between animal health, public health, wildlife, environment and other relevant sectors.

The National Epidemiologist will also contribute to the adoption and roll-out of the In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training programme and support Continuing Professional Veterinary Education initiatives in collaboration with national veterinary institutions.

Capacity development activities will cover areas such as surveillance, zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, workforce development and emergency preparedness.

Surveillance, Laboratory Linkages and Reporting

The specialist will coordinate surveillance activities with laboratory counterparts to strengthen the epi-lab network at national and regional levels.

The role includes supporting risk assessments, epidemiological investigations, simulation exercises, after-action reviews and technical meetings.

The National Epidemiologist will also provide regular updates on transboundary animal diseases and other priority threats, prepare technical briefs, success stories and knowledge products, and contribute to resource mobilization efforts at country and regional levels.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Advanced university degree in Veterinary Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Veterinary Medicine, Public Health or a related field;
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in epidemiology, surveillance system design and implementation, emergency preparedness and response, training, data analysis, One Health coordination or stakeholder engagement;
• Working knowledge of English;
• Malawian nationality.

FAO Core Competencies

Candidates will be assessed against the following FAO core competencies:

• Results focus;
• Teamwork;
• Communication;
• Building effective relationships;
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Technical and Functional Skills

The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong expertise in veterinary epidemiology, animal and zoonotic disease surveillance, epidemiological data analysis and One Health coordination.

Experience in capacity-building, field epidemiology training, public health collaboration, stakeholder engagement and partnership management will be considered important assets.

Knowledge of Malawi’s animal health and public health landscape will be an advantage.

Important Information for Applicants

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

All selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks. Appointment will be subject to medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements and security clearance.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official FAO recruitment portal by completing their online profile and attaching a motivation letter.

Deadline: 29 May 2026
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Duration: 12 months, with possibility of extension