The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world.
The One Health Research, Education and Outreach Centre in Africa (OHRECA) at ILRI, seeks to improve the health of humans, animals and ecosystems through capacity development, strengthening of local, regional and global networks and provision of evidence-based policy advice on One Health in sub-Saharan Africa. The centre has four thematic areas: control of neglected tropical zoonotic diseases, emerging infectious diseases, food safety and informal markets, and prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance.
About the position:
Foodborne diseases have a health burden comparable to malaria, HIV-AIDs or tuberculosis. Around 98% of this burden falls on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The economic cost is over $100 billion USD a year. The riskiest foods from a health perspective are also the most nutritious: milk, eggs, fish, meat and fresh vegetables. These fresh foods are mostly sold through the informal sector comprising markets, small shops, street vendors and providers of ready to eat foods.
ILRI is engaged with East African Community (EAC) countries to investigate food safety and make recommendations for improvement. We have conducted a situational analysis of food safety in the EAC countries but this has focused on literature review, key informant interviews, policy review and stakeholder engagement. We plan to add a hazard survey.
Project title: Hazard assessment for food in East African Community countries.
- Finding out the priority hazards, and in which commodities in EAC countries.
- Developing a probabilistic survey to sample commodities with priority hazards from formal and informal markets.
- Conducting or supporting tests for hazards in food.
- Assessing the implications for public health.
- Developing recommendations for improving food safety.
- Masters degree with a minimum average of 60% in all areas of assessment in a relevant area to the proposed research project.
- 1st Class or 2nd Class (upper division) Bachelors degree
- Previous experience of undertaking research.
- Experience of food safety, public health, epidemiology, evaluation.
- Previous research experience in laboratory testing for hazards.
- Previous experience of food systems fieldwork.
- Knowledge/experience of conducting surveys.
- Ability to communicate in French
Location: Nairobi, Kenya and must be prepared to travel internationally
Application deadline is February 15, 2021