Mercy Corps is looking for one (1) experienced and qualified Livestock Officer (LO), who under the supervision of the Animal Health Manager will be at the forefront of implementation the Animal Health for Resilience Activity within the broader Apolou Activity. And work in close collaboration with the Apolou Activity livestock team and the broader Apolou teams, government stakeholders especially the District Veterinary Offices and Ministry of Agriculture Animal industry and fisheries, USAID and other implementing partners in Karamoja. The position will have the responsibility to Improve veterinary governance and increased public and private investment in disease prevention, surveillance, control and response systems to strengthen productive assets for improved resilience in Karamoja.

Essential Job Functions
• In partnership with the Government of Uganda at national and district levels, the position will participate the design and implementation of a 1-2 cost-effective livestock disease surveillance, monitoring and response systems.
• Livestock officer will participate in the development and operationalization of active and passive livestock disease surveillance, Livestock Early Warning System LEWs and response mechanisms in Kaabong and Amudat districts
• Participate in desk review and interview experts in public animal health systems to capture lessons learned and recommendations. With this information and in close consultation with district officials, Propose and co create different models such as an event- and indicator- based surveillance, and community-based surveillance systems in Kaabong and Amudat
• Pilot disease surveillance/response systems including overseeing the completion of a cost-benefit analysis of different models.
• Officer will work in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)- DVOs at the district level to prepare and endorse an animal health services capacity-strengthening plan for the Karamoja region.
• Coordinate with other program Livestock, Livelihoods and Apolou teams to support activity integration and information sharing within Apolou and other similar programs.
• Work directly with government and CBO organizations that conduct animal health and disease outbreak response in Karamoja.
• Organize, participate and support in meetings and workshops to support strengthening of veterinary epidemiology capacities

Knowledge and Experience
• Degree of Veterinary Medicine with 2-3 years’ direct experience partnering with governments on animal health and disease surveillance systems, experience working with public health programs is an added advantage.
• Willingness to work in the field with agro-vet shops, Community animal health workers, kraal leaders and communities;
• Possess the ability to interact effectively with a wide range of partners; private sector, government and civil society
• Basic understanding of and experience of working with Resilience concepts
• Excellent analytical skills and experience working on livestock research
• Excellent teamwork, networking and community consultations skills
• Excellent reporting, communication and representation skills
• Good spoken and written English. Fluency in Ngakarimojong and Pokot is an advantage