Main Purpose

The New World Screwworm (NWS) inflicts significant losses to the livestock industry by causing mortality to the animals it infests, reducing meat and milk production and limiting international trade of live animals. The NWS is also a zoonotic disease which affects human health especially those living in poverty. The NWS was eradicated from Southern USA, Mexico and Central America using an integrated approach based on the sterile insect technique (SIT). The work relates to the NWS reinfestation of the Central American Countries and the eradication of the NWS from Uruguay. In 2022, an unprecedented increase in the NWS population that was being contained at the Darien Gap in Panama by means of a sterile fly biological barrier and quarantine actions, caused the reinfestation of Panama and the Central American countries and its incursion into Mexico. This situation required the implementation of an emergency response at regional level. The IAEA and FAO, together with other international and regional organisations including OIRSA and IICA, have been supporting its Member States through technical cooperation projects to strength the capacity for prevention and eradication of the pest. These actions require efficient management, close oversight in the field and coordination among the participating organisations to avoid duplication and assure the best use of the resources available.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• To review and update the IAEA Screwworm Thematic Plan.
• To carry out an assessment on the institutional capacity in the Member States for prevention and eradication of the NWS including train staff, diagnostic laboratories, facilities for packing and release of sterile insects, and quarantine infrastructure.
• To provide guidance to counterparts on the implementation of a NWS regional prevention and eradication strategy.
• To provide oversight to the application of sanitary measures for population suppression including active surveillance, diagnosis, animal treatment, and quarantine (mobilisation of animals).
• To provide oversight to the application of the sterile insect technique (SIT) for pest eradication.
• To participate in meetings to provide technical support on the NWS situation and discuss possible solutions for solving problems as needed.
• To participate in technical review meetings with project counterparts and stakeholders to review progress, discuss challenges and provide expert advice on problem solving.
• To provide technical recommendations to programme managers looking for optimization of programme operations.
• To prepare technical reports for programme managers in Member States and for the supervisor at the IAEA.
• To travel within the region for oversight of project implementation (5 travels within Latin America and the Caribbean)
• To travel to Vienna once for debriefing of activities implementation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Insect Pest Control

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree (Bachelor’s) in medical entomology and/or veterinary sciences or related area.
• Knowledge of the biology and ecology of the NWS.
• Minimum two years’ experience in managing operational programme to contain and eradicate the NWS using SIT.
• Being familiar with the NWS problem in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Possessing a network of contacts at the national veterinary services and international and region al organisations.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of € 240, based on qualifications and experience. In case duty travel is required within the assignment, a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and travel costs are provided. Health coverage and pension fund are the responsibility of the incumbent.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements