AMR Surveillance and Laboratory Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices\:
(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

The position is located in Quezon City, Philippines.

Reporting Lines

The AMR Surveillance and Laboratory Specialist will report to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme.

Technical Focus

AMR surveillance planning, management and coordination, capacity development support and advocacy.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Serve as the FAO national focal point on AMR surveillance and Laboratory and ensure coordination between FAO and government partners and stakeholders in the Philipppines in the implementation of the Global Action Plan and Philippine National Action Plan on AMR 2024-2028;
• With technical support from HQ, RAP and FAO ECTAD in the Philippines, support the overall coordination, planning, implementation of the agreed workplan, and reporting for the AMR Fleming Fund 3, EU AMR project, and other AMR-related projects in the Philippines, in close coordination with Government counterparts and other implementing partners;
• Coordinate further implementation of the Laboratory Mapping Tool (LMT) on AMR (LMT-AMR or ATLASS) for national agriculture laboratory systems strengthening focusing on subnational laboratories (RADDLs, NMIS regional Laboratories, BFAR Regional Laboratories), plant and environment health laboratories (agriculture environment), academic and research institutions, and private laboratories (if available);
a. Assist in conducting, developing, and submitting the assessment reports, including recommendations for further laboratory capacity strengthening.
b. Facilitate consultations with relevant stakeholders on the findings of the assessments and identify key priority areas for further capacity strengthening and support.
c. Coordinate in the conduct of trainings for national ATLASS assessors.

• Implement relevant AMR surveillance and capacity-building activities based on the ATLASS recommendations and agreed workplan, in collaboration and coordination with other international and national consultants\:
a. Develop concept notes and assist in training laboratory staff on bacterial isolation, identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), among others;
b. Provide technical knowledge and support in advancing AMR surveillance in the agriculture sector (livestock, poultry, aqua/fisheries, plant/crop, agricultural environment), using molecular techniques such as PCR, NGS, and bioinformatics;
c. Support in the generation, management, and analysis of AMR and AMU data (using the FAO tools and platforms) vis-à-vis the development and promotion of policies and guidelines such as veterinary antimicrobial stewardship guideline, Philippine National Standards (PNS), among others;
d. In coordination with FAO ECTAD in the Philippines, participate in surveillance, epidemiology, and human resource to ensure the integration and adoption of AMR surveillance and monitoring (and related programmes and initiatives) at the national, subnational, and local levels;
e. Review and update the AMR surveillance plan in the animal health sector to expand the programme to cover other areas in the agriculture sector (livestock, poultry, aqua/fisheries, plant/crop, agricultural environment);
f. Strengthen collaboration and linkages between international, national, subnational, and research institutions on AMR surveillance, monitoring, and research;

• Support the piloting of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sampling protocol for AMR surveillance at farm level (with the help of IAEA) and development of advice on sampling for AMR surveillance in farm animal environment. In addition, support the planning and facilitation of national capacity building workshops with the Bureau of Sewerage and Waste Management, Department of Agriculture, for AMR laboratory diagnostics. Possible ATLASS of BSWM lab
• Promote AMR advocacy through community engagement and awareness campaigns such as AMR student forums, WAAW/PAAW, regional and local caravans, and other multisectoral platforms;
• Liaise and participate in national and regional meetings of the Philippines Inter-Agency Committee on AMR (ICAMR), multi-stakeholder meetings related to Antimicrobial Use (AMU), AMR, residue monitoring, and food safety on behalf of FAO, and FAO regional AMR program coordination meetings;
• Assist in ensuring a programmatic approach in supporting technical areas and expanding OH beyond animal & public health stakeholders) being implemented by the RAP Animal Health and Production Module (AHP), One Heath Regional Program Priority Area, and ECTAD;
• Monitor progress against the work plan by tracking activities and targets with quarterly reviews and revisions;
• Ensure that all administrative and financial matters/transactions concerning the project are conducted in accordance with FAO guidelines;
• Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by FAO Representative.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Veterinary Medicine or related fields
• At least 5 years of relevant practical experience working in Animal Health/One Health/AMR management, including surveillance and monitoring.
• Full proficiency / working knowledge (level C) of English
• A national of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with and understanding of the work of international organizations, regional entities and national governments
• In-depth knowledge of project management and strategic planning, budgets and financial reporting
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to promote efficiency toward achieving project objectives and advanced knowledge of best business practices.
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)

Selection Criteria

• Advanced university degree is an advantage.
• Experience with legal issues related to veterinary, laboratory, food, agriculture, environment and health sectors would be an asset.
• Experience in drafting legal instruments and implementing national projects would also be an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION