Country Team Leader (CTL) for Countries in Asia and the Pacific Region

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Offices, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture, and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

The Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Country Teams are dedicated to working with the government in preventing and controlling emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases by working closely with national stakeholders in the animal production and health sector. The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be carried out through the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), which is currently implementing a number of projects in various countries in Asia and the Pacific region.

Reporting Lines

The country Team Leader/Chief Technical Advisor reports to the FAO Representative in the country and shall operate under the overall guidance and supervision of the FAO Representative in the country, the technical guidance of the ECTAD Regional Manager based in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, and in close coordination with the AFAOR (Programme) and operational guidance of the Operations Officer in FAO Representation in the country.

Technical Focus

Management of the ECTAD country team, technical and management leadership and guidance, and advisory services to the FAOR on animal health issues. The incumbent shall work closely with technical and operational FAO ECTAD country team members, other UN agencies and relevant government counterparts to carry out the following activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Liaise with the National Government, development partners, multi-lateral agencies and national and international non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in all matters related to the prevention and control of high impact transboundary animal diseases (TADs) and emerging and re-emerging diseases (EIDs) including zoonoses.
• In close collaboration with the ECTAD Regional Manager, advise the FAOR and beneficiary government on technical and policy matters related to high impact TADs and EIDs including zoonoses.
• Develop appropriate country strategies and programmes for the control of TADs and EIDs in close collaboration with the beneficiary government, and in line with the country priority framework (CPF), the FAO’s Strategic Programs (SPs), and the UNDAP II framework.
• Ensure smooth integration of ECTAD activities within the FAO’s broader country programme under the FAO Representation; and contribute towards the development and implementation of the FAO country programme.
• Provide effective team leadership, coordination and facilitation of technical and socio-economic inputs, management support and technical oversight for the FAO ECTAD country programme in the country.
• Supervise the preparation of project work plans, timely provision of inputs, organization of meetings, workshops, trainings, and liaison with responsible officers at national and sub-national levels for smooth coordination and delivery of ECTAD-implemented projects, including the USAID-funded Global Health Security Program (GHSP) project.
• Provide advice to the Government of the country on any technical matters related to its national zoonoses and EID control programme.
• Maintain constant and close working relationships with relevant units under the government counterparts relevant to the country.
• Coordinate consultation with and provide technical advice to ECTAD RAP on emerging and priority zoonotic diseases and health threats in the country via e-mail, teleconferencing, and personal briefings.
• Support, facilitate and participate in technical missions from RAP to government counterparts, donor/technical agencies and ECTAD .
• Consult with and coordinate the implementation of the ECTAD country programme with potential donors present at the country level including relevant donors, as well as international NGOs.
• Organise and conduct regular management and technical team meetings to ensure effective communication within and between the projects managed by FAO ECTAD and with the FAO Representation.
• Ensure effective and appropriate representation of FAO in United Nations and other meetings and studies related to emerging and priority zoonotic diseases and health threats in the country.
• With the advice and support of the FAOR, and leveraging existing funds, actively engage in resource mobilization efforts including preparation of concept notes and project proposals to expand animal health related projects that are identified as priorities by the government.
• Maintain links with the established national networks on diagnosis and epidemiology to exchange and share technical information particularly related to priority and high impact TADs and EIDs including zoonoses, as well as AMR.
• Coordinate preparation of timely reports of the ECTAD-coordinated country project activities as required by the government, FAO, and donors.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and managerial support to the country team members.
• Supervise and coordinate the implementation of various capacity development activities.
• Support One Health (OH) capacity and platforms through enhancing collaboration and coordination with the public health, wildlife, environment, education, and other relevant sectors with respect to zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance/use (AMR/U) using existing and new tools and guidelines.
• Conduct regular field missions in the country to monitor and ensure smooth implementation of project activities.
• In close collaboration with Emergency Management Centre-Animal Health and ECTAD regional and country teams, coordinate emergency preparedness and rapid response activities in the country.
• Provide technical support for the publication of data generated from ECTAD country and regional project activities.
• Prepare and review briefs upon request from FAOR, ECTAD-RAP and the Animal Health Service (NSAH) of the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA).
• Provide regular updates on TADs and EIDs situation in the country; and provide immediate notification to GLEWS of any significant epidemiological events.
• Submit a final technical report upon completion of the assignment to the FAOR and ECTAD Regional Manager.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in in veterinary science/medicine and post-graduate degree in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (both zoonotic and non-zoonotic), veterinary epidemiology, diagnostics, or related fields from a recognized university.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience in the management and implementation of infectious disease control programmes including leading and managing teams and partnerships.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish, for PSA it can be required only one language)

FAO Core 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 a field position is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in planning, coordination, and organization of national or regional animal disease control programme with strategic relevance to the ECTAD programme.
• Extent and relevance of experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and projects at international level.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the Asia-Pacific region and/or with regional institutions like ASEAN, SAARC, SPC and other relevant bodies is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in liaison with partners and institutional contexts.
• Extent and relevance of experience at international level.

Selection Criteria

• Based on requirements, competencies, and skills.

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

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT