Volunteer Assignment Title: Animal health epidemiology and surveillance expert(s)

Project Name: Trade Safe (TraSa) Project

Site(s): Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo or Santiago)

Date(s): Up to two weeks

Background

The 5-year, $13.7 million TraSa project funded by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress will improve the efficiency, coordination, and transparency of the trade, commercialization, and safety of food and agricultural products by supporting the implementation of science and risk-based SPS measures, standards, and regulations. The project will expand the Dominican Republic’s (DR) local, regional, and international trade in agricultural products; increase agricultural productivity; and improve consumer access to safe foods.

The DR faces significant challenges in its livestock sectors due to ongoing and emerging diseases. In the pork industry, disease outbreaks (including recent outbreak of African swine fever) have severely impacted production, causing substantial economic losses and threatening the sector’s sustainability. Controlling these diseases is crucial not only to contain their spread within the country but also to prevent transmission to neighboring regions, which could worsen the situation. The poultry sector is similarly affected. Newcastle disease and other avian diseases are prevalent and pose significant risks, while periodic outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in neighboring countries further increase the threat. This situation underscores the need for robust surveillance and response mechanisms.

Effective epidemiology and surveillance systems are vital for managing these threats. They facilitate the detection and investigation of outbreaks, enable timely intervention to prevent disease spread, and help maintain livestock health and productivity. Enhancing these systems will help the Dominican Republic safeguard its agricultural industry and mitigate the impacts of critical animal health issues.

Despite the importance of epidemiology and surveillance, these topics are often underrepresented in veterinary medicine curricula in the Dominican Republic. While official veterinarians may have some training in these areas, private veterinarians typically lack formal education and ongoing training opportunities. Addressing this gap is essential for improving disease prevention and response across the livestock sectors.

Objectives

• Train veterinarians working in poultry farms on animal health epidemiology and surveillance, focusing on poultry (2 days of training).
• Train veterinarians working in swine farms on animal health epidemiology and surveillance, focusing on swine (2 days of training).

Tasks

The volunteer expert(s) will undertake the following tasks:

• Meet with the TraSa Animal Health specialist to discuss training details.
• Develop two training programs: one for poultry and one for swine. Each program should include, but not limited to:

1. 1. Introduction to epidemiology
   2. Disease surveillance
   3. Outbreak investigation and management
   4. Risk assessment and data analysis and interpretation
   5. Technology in surveillance (e.g., GIS)
   6. Case studies and practical exercises
   7. Ethics and communication

• Ensure that each training program includes species-specific content, such as examples of poultry diseases and case studies for poultry training, and examples of swine diseases and case studies for swine training.
• Deliver the training sessions for poultry veterinarians.
• Deliver the training sessions for swine veterinarians.
• Prepare a report summarizing the topics discussed, participant involvement, recommendations for future trainings, and any other relevant considerations.

Deliverables

1. Training materials:

• Poultry epidemiology and surveillance training program
• Swine epidemiology and surveillance training program

Each training program should include: 

• • Training manual: A comprehensive manual species-specific (poultry and swine) that outlines the training content. Approximately 20-30 pages each, depending on the depth of content and inclusion of visual aids, in IESC provided template. This should include:
    • Overview of epidemiology and surveillance principles
    • Disease-specific content with a focus on the main diseases specific for each specie
    • Protocols for outbreak investigation and management
    • Risk assessment and data analysis methods
    • Use of technology in surveillance (e.g., GIS)
    • Case studies and practical exercises
    • Ethics and communication guidelines
    • Practical exercises such as:
      • Quizzes or assessments
      • Group activities or role-playing scenarios
    • Additional resources or reading materials

2. Presentation slides: PowerPoint slides or equivalent presentation format summarizing key points from the manual. Presentation Slides: 20-30 slides per training program in IESC provided template. Slides should include:

• • Key concepts
  • Visual aids (charts, graphs, images, videos)
  • Case studies and examples
  • Interactive elements (e.g., discussion questions)

3. Training impact evaluation: design a quantitative/qualitative mechanism to assess the impact of the training.

4. Training final report

The final report should provide a detailed overview of the training activities. 10 to 15 pages, in IESC provided template, including the following chapters:

 a.      Introduction:

• • Background of the training assignment
  • Objectives and scope of the training

b.      Methodology and training material preparation:

• • Approach and methods used for developing and delivering the training
  • Sources of training materials
  • Key training topics and learning objectives description

c.       Training Delivery:

• • Detailed account of the training sessions (dates, locations, participants)
  • Description of the training process and delivery methods
  • Participant engagement and feedback

d.      Findings and Outcomes:

• • Analysis of participant involvement and learning outcomes
  • Observations and feedback from participants
  • Evaluation of the effectiveness of the training program

e.      Recommendations:

• • Suggestions for future training sessions
  • Identified gaps or areas for improvement
  • Recommendations for ongoing training and capacity building

f.        Conclusion:

• • Summary of the training’s impact
  • Overall assessment of the training objectives met

Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in Veterinary Medicine, Epidemiology, or a Related Field: A Master’s degree or higher in veterinary medicine, epidemiology, or a closely related discipline.
• Specialized Knowledge in Animal Health Epidemiology: Proven expertise in epidemiology and disease surveillance specifically related to poultry and swine.
• Familiarity with Disease Management in Livestock: In-depth understanding of common and emerging diseases affecting poultry and swine, including outbreak investigation and management.
• Proficiency in Surveillance Technologies: Knowledge of surveillance tools and technologies, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and their application in disease monitoring and management.
• Strong Communication Skills: Excellent ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including the creation of training materials and reports.
• Cultural Competence: Experience working in or with developing countries, and an understanding of the local context and challenges in animal health.
• Analytical and Reporting Skills: Capability to analyze training outcomes and prepare detailed, actionable reports with recommendations.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.