Position: Livestock or Poultry Health Specialist (Consultant)
Position Type: Part-time, fixed term consultancy (5 months)
Reports to: WCS Cambodia Country Director and WCS Regional Technical Advisor (Health Program) Location: Remote from home location with potential travel to Phnom Penh and Boeung Sne, Prey Veng province
This position is open to national and international candidates.
1. Background
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US nonprofit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity.
WCS has been working in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia since 1999, providing technical advice and support for the conservation of key habitats and species across the country. Within our WCS Wildlife Health Program, our collaborative projects with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Administration focus on wildlife health surveillance, livelihoods, capacity building, and preventing spillover at the source, which are funded by a wide range of bilateral, multi-lateral, and foundation donors.
2. Context
WCS has received financing from the UK Government through their Biodiversity Challenge Funds and is recruiting for this consultancy under the following Darwin Initiative: Risk reduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Cambodia’s wetlands.
Cambodia hosts some of the most important global priority regions for biodiversity conservation and supports some of the most threatened waterbird species in the world. Its forests and wetlands provide a natural barrier against the emergence of future zoonotic pandemics. However, current deforestation rates, livestock encroachment, and wildlife trade trends make Cambodia a hot-spot vulnerable to pathogen spillover. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, Cambodia experienced multiple mass mortalities of wild waterbirds due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in areas with substantial domestic duck farming. At the same time, duck farmers experience losses among their flocks, presumably due to outbreaks of HPAI and/or other diseases. We aim to create a scalable model for Cambodia’s wetlands via a network of informed and skilled communities taking collective action to reduce the risk of disease spillover at the poultry-waterbird interface while protecting wild bird colonies, farmer livelihoods, and public health.
The site of interest is Boeung Sne (also known as Boeung Pring), Prey Veng Province which hosts multiple waterbird colonies as well as several surrounding domestic duck farms.
Objective of the Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to identify and recommend practical and innovative changes to duck farming practices which mitigate the risk of pathogen spillover and spread (particularly HPAI) between domestic duck farms/flocks, and between domestic ducks and wild bird colonies in one pilot wetland. Specifically, the consultant will:
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the domestic duck farming system(s);
• Identifying practical and cost-effective changes to duck farming practices which improve biosecurity; and
• Designing a roadmap for implementing these modifications
The recommendations and roadmap will be used as a guide to facilitate a co-design process for farming practice change among a maximum of 10 duck farmers/flock owners.
3. Approach of the Assignment
This assignment is undertaken by a three-member team of WCS Cambodia’s Wildlife Health staff under the supervision of WCS’s Regional Technical Advisor (Health Program) along with the consultant. Travel to Phnom Penh and the field site will be organized by WCS as needed. Communication with government stakeholders, budget development, and logistics will be led by WCS only.
The approach of the assignment may be adapted according to discussion between the consultant and the team.
4. Key Tasks
• Review relevant spatial and survey data gathered previously by WCS around the site of interest. WCS will provide relevant spatial data and maps, including study area boundaries, farm/flock locations mapped to date, and wild bird outbreak locations. Initial survey responses and data from farmers previously collected by WCS will also be provided. The consultant will review this data prior to constructing their workplan.
• Potential visit to the field site including up to 10 small- to medium-holder farms over approximately one week to understand the local context.
• Produce a final report of recommendations with roadmap for implementation:
o Identify entry points for change to improve biosecurity of farming practices. The consultant shall advise WCS on practical recommendations to be provided to farmers. These may include recommendations regarding husbandry, housing, feed, general biosecurity, relocation, waste management, carcass disposal, quarantine, land zoning, or other changes specific to each farm/flock and broadly around the wetland. References to similar projects or relevant research interventions applied in other developing countries and/or similar contexts are to be included. Innovative yet practical ideas are encouraged.
o Determine actionable steps for implementation of the recommendations (above) in the form of a roadmap.
• Cooperate with WCS Cambodia and partners throughout the contract period, with ad-hoc meetings as needed to ensure smooth coordination.
5. Key Deliverables and timeline (dates negotiable)
|
Deliverable |
Type |
Estimated Submission Date |
|
Agreed approach, workplan, and Table of Contents for the final report through discussions with WCS Cambodia |
Workplan (any format) Report outline and/or Table of Contents |
April 30, 2024 |
|
Presentation of initial findings and draft report/roadmap for review by WCS |
PowerPoint Presentation & report draft |
June 30, 2024 |
|
Final report of recommendations and roadmap (in English) |
Final report & roadmap |
July 31, 2024 |
|
A shared folder of cited reports and/or literature referenced in the final report. |
Shared online folder with soft copies |
July 31, 2024 |
6. Payment Schedule
30% Upon Signing
50% Upon submission of draft report to WCS and presentation of initial findings 20% Upon final approval from WCS of final draft of the report and recommendations
7. Applicant’s profile
The consultant must conform to the following qualifications:
- Education: Minimum of master degree level in field relevant to animal health, agriculture/livestock science, or other relevant field
- Professional experience: At least 3 years of experience in livestock or poultry health, preferably with some experience in developing countries and/or low resource settings.
- Experience in highly pathogenic avian influenza mitigation on domestic poultry farms preferred.
- Experience in the region is a plus.
- English proficiency required.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and cooperative attitude.
- Good ability to meet and multi-task deadlines.
- Dedication to conservation and sustainable development.
8. Application process
Interested candidates should apply by emailing:
▪ a CV and cover letter that address the criteria outlined in the qualifications and experience section.
▪ your expected rate for the above listed deliverables
to: Duch Thannirorn cambodiahr@wcs.org, latest by March 19, 2024. Please include the Position Title
“Application for Livestock or Poultry Health specialist (Consultant)” in the subject line of your email.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Moreinfo: https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Careers.aspx
Please mention "www.Cambodiajobs.Biz" where you saw the ad when you apply!
