Animal Health Officer(Manager Crisis Management Centre - Animal Health {CMC-AH})

Organizational Setting

The Animal Production and Health Division (AGA) assists member countries in the sustainable development of the livestock sector and in optimizing its contribution to nutrition, food security and rural poverty reduction, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. It provides a coordination role and hosts technical networks in the areas of, animal health, genetics, animal husbandry, feed, support to emergency preparedness and response. The Division facilitates policy dialogue (incl. intergovernmental bodies), manages knowledge and provides information, analysis and technical assistance for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to produce safe animal products more efficiently and more responsibly.

The post is located in the Animal Health Service (AGAH). The FAO Animal Health Service (AGAH) is primarily concerned with aspects related to the prevention, detection and timely response to health threats of animal origin (zoonotic diseases, transboundary animal diseases, production diseases, diseases of wildlife, arthropod-borne diseases, food safety, antimicrobial resistance) that affect public health or efficiencies, sustainable livestock production and conservation efforts. AGAH capacity development work ensures the strengthening of veterinary systems at national and regional level and bridges agriculture development, public health and ecosystem health.

Reporting Lines

The Animal Health Officer reports to Senior Officer/Head of the Emergency Prevention System – EMPRES Animal Health.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of Departmental/Division programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with Departmental/Division objectives and FAO Strategic Objectives

Key Functions

· Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-Departmental committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

· Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

· Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.

· Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

· Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools..

· Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

· Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.

Specific Functions

· Organizes, manages, provides leadership and directly supervises CMC-AH staff and rapid deployment team members.

· Decides on and implements rapid response activities in line with Divisional strategies on the prevention and control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs).

· Leads the overall strategic orientation, methodologies and guidelines developed for FAO’s emergency animal health responses.

· Ensures the dissemination of disease intelligence information through the Global Early Warning and Response System/Emergency Prevention System for TADs (GLEWS/EMPRES) prior to, during, and after rapid response missions.

· Contributes to the development of action plans and emergency projects following in-country rapid response missions for TADs.

· Manages the development and ensures delivery of training programmes for regional and country level preparedness and contingency planning for animal health emergencies.

· Coordinates missions and follow-up activities in close collaboration with FAO Representatives, Regional Animal Health Centres, OIE and WHO, and other organizations/agencies/partners when appropriate.

· Organizes and participates in rapid response missions to member countries, providing technical advice on emergency response to outbreaks of TADs, elaboration of response action plans and the mobilisation of resources, etc.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

· Advanced university degree in veterinary medicine

· Seven years of relevant experience in animal health and infectious disease management, including disease control and emergency management

· Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian

·

Competencies

· Results Focus

· Teamwork

· Communication

· Building Effective Relationships

· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

· Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable

· Extent and relevance of experience in international animal health (regulatory and developmental) programmes

· Extent and relevance of experience in prevention and control of animal diseases, in particular of high impact diseases

· Extent and relevance of experience in animal disease emergency management

· Extent and relevance of experience in team leadership and development

· Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition

· Ability to garner partnerships and mobilize resources

· An advanced university degree in veterinary epidemiology or related field is desirable

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

· All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills.

· Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

· Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see “How to Apply”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.

· Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.

· Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.

· Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.

REMUNERATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete your online profile. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered.

Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.

Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org