Attending Wildlife Veterinarian - Consultant

Vacancy Number:        VA_018_FY26 Required Number:      1 (One) Duty Station:               Gambella & Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (please see the details below) Terms of Employment: Three months of consultancy   Background From the beginning of Guinea worm (GW) eradication efforts in Ethiopia, The Carter Center (TCC) has worked closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) toward the elimination of GW in Ethiopia. This partnership has comprised technical, financial and human resource assistance, including support to the national secretariat and regional office in Gambella, as well as case containment centers and technical advisors in endemic areas. The focus of this partnership is to maintain the highest level of surveillance, prevention and response activities for populations at risk for GW infection. In 2016, Ethiopia officially reported 3 cases of Guinea worm disease in humans, 14 infected dogs and 2 infected baboons. All but one of the cases and infected animals occurred in Gog woreda of Gambella region. The existence of GW infection in olive baboons ( Papio anubis ) raises the possibility that the persistence of GW transmission involves baboons. Baboon transmission dynamics may be independent of, or linked with, dog infections. Domestic dogs are under enhanced surveillance for GW infection, including a cash reward for reporting and tethering infected dogs. However, GW-infected baboons continue to be reported without a clear understanding of where and how they are becoming infected.  The Carter Center is supporting research into the disease ecology and transmission dynamics of GW in baboons and dogs in Gambella, with a focus on Gog and Abobo woredas. The research will include, but not be limited to, tracking baboons visually, capturing baboons to collect biological samples and attach collars for remote tracking of movements. The goal of this research project is to assist the Ethiopia Dracunculiasis Eradication Program (EDEP) to achieve the elimination of dracunculiasis in Ethiopia.   Location This project will require personal participation in activities including organizing meetings, supervising field activities, participating in field data and biological sample collection (including wild baboon trapping, sedation, drawing blood, surgical extraction of parasites and preparing samples for transport to laboratories). The field based activities will require being physically present in Gog and Abobo woredas for appropriate periods of time for the respective activities. For non-field based activities, the AWV will work at a location of his/her choosing. If the services must be performed on the Center's premises, the Center will provide the space necessary to perform the activities.   Lines of communications and authority The AWV clinical work will be supervised by the Principal Investigator or designee.  The AWV will submit reports to the PI and  TCC-E Senior Country Representative. Services to be provided and deliverables The AWV will submit monthly reports to the PI and TCC-E Senior Country Representative. The Attending Wildlife Veterinarian will: Engage in all duties as lead wildlife veterinarian in capture of baboons, recording biometric data and collecting samples in Gambella including: performing veterinary medical interventions such as sedation of baboons, physical exams, drawing blood, parasite checks/extraction, and monitor their recovery and release, and assuring that the research team adheres to best safe and humane practices when accessing and processing animals. A final report of all capture activities will be submitted to the SCR and PI.  Organize and oversee the preparation and transport of samples. Weekly reports on progress will be submitted to the SCR and PI. Contribute to the Baboon Research Project extension proposal to the Ethiopia Public Health Institute (EPHI) and Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority for review, following normal Government of Ethiopia standards and practices. Revise the extension proposal in collaboration with the SCR, PI and relevant representatives of the Government of Ethiopia for approval by the EPHI and EWCA. The final version of the proposal will be shared with the SCR and PI electronically for final review and endorsement. Revise the draft list of project materials for procurement in collaboration with the PI and TCC staff, noting items to be purchased in Ethiopia and to be imported, accompanied by a budget for materials to be purchased in-country. An electronic copy of the final list will be sent to the SCR and PI. Write and contribute to protocols for the project in strict adherence with standard Ethiopian and international best practices. The protocols will be delivered to the PI in electronic format, and will include: Personnel safety Safe and human restraint of baboons Baboon capture, habituation, and immobilization Sample collection, storage and transport Biosafety and biosecurity; including but not limited to biological waste disposal, containment (clean vs dirty zones), infection control and prevention (zoonosis, including human-to-baboon disease transmission), personal protective equipment-PPE, and sanitation. Organize procurement and importation permissions for medications and equipment necessary for implementing the project. Support the PI and TCC staff to train Gambella field staff to track baboons, and collect and report data. Training will include  personal safety, as well as safe and humane restraint of animals. Progress in training of field teams will be included in monthly reports. Collect and organize data from field staff. Written reports will be submitted to the SCR and PI. Any other duties as assigned by the PI and SCR. The format for the monthly report and addresses for submitting the report will be provided by the PI in collaboration with the SCR.