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- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
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Organizational Setting
The Animal Production and Health department provides technical assistance on animal health in Europe and Central Asia. The department is responsible for programmes and activities related to strengthening veterinary systems, often with a One Health approach, and develops practical strategies and guidance to address endemic and emerging health threats, the assurance of safe trade, efficient production and food safety.
Consultants and subscribers to personal service agreements (PSA.SBS) represent a very important source of expertise for FAO. For FAO to be able to attract and employ the best possible experts in the wide range of technical areas of its mandate, a competitive selection process has been introduced. This process is intended to create a pool of candidates which can be timely called upon when their expertise is required, ensuring a transparent and rigorous selection process.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO REU Assistant Director-General, and the direct technical guidance of the FAO REU Senior Animal Production and Health Officer.
Technical Focus
The Specialist works as part of a closely collaborating team. Peste de petits ruminants (PPR), a devastating transboundary disease of small ruminants, is a significant constraint to livestock production and trade. Three current projects aim to assist countries in Europe and Central Asia to obtain the country freedom status for PPR from the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH).
Tasks and responsibilities
We seek a highly experienced specialist to contribute technical expertise across a range of activities, collaborating closely with national teams in each country as well as with the veterinary authorities of each country. The Specialist will cover the following tasks:
• Provide technical assistance in the development of the PPR Contingency Plan and the National Control Strategy in selected countries.
• Review the current legal, institutional, and technical frameworks related to PPR prevention and control in selected countries.
• Review existing PPR surveillance protocols and ensure that the sampling design and laboratory testing meet WOAH standards.
• Where they don’t exist, assist in designing epidemiologically sound serosurveillance protocols for PPR in selected countries.
• Assist national laboratories in setting up appropriate testing schemes and interpretation of results.
• Assist national authorities to meet all technical requirements of WOAH for official country freedom.
• Conduct, if required, missions to selected countries to assess the progress and preparedness for an application for country freedom to WOAH.
• Write reports following missions in selected countries, which will indicate the way forward toward successful dossier preparation.
• Perform other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Consultants)/University degree (PSA.SBS) from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESC in Veterinary Medicine or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in PPR control programs, especially in assisting countries to comply with WOAH technical requirements towards achieving official country freedom
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
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, desirably in field locations in Central Asia and Caucasus.
• Extent and relevance of experience in PPR control programs.
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical support at local, national, or regional levels.
• Familiarity with and understanding the work of international organisations, regional entities, and national governments.
• Excellent communication, writing, and reporting skills.
Selection Criteria
• Proven experience in Central Asia and the Caucasus, particularly on transboundary animal diseases control.
• Experience on working with the technical requirements of WOAH for official country freedom
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For more information, visit the FAO employment website
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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
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