Animal Health Officer (One Health)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

• 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 persons 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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.

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's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) promotes and facilitates the sustainable development of the livestock sector, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. It hosts technical networks in areas of animal health, genetics, feed and animal husbandry and provides analysis, policy dialogue (including intergovernmental bodies) and technical assistance. It also supports emergency responses, mostly in animal health. The One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH-CJW) under the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) leads and coordinates the prevention and control of endemic and emerging transboundary animal diseases and health threats that emerge at the animal-human-environment interface including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

FAO supports Members to build and implement effective collaborative One Health strategies and capacities, simultaneously addressing the health of people, animals, plants and the environment. One Health in agrifood systems transformation is a key Priority Programme Area, and part of FAO's Strategic Framework (2022-2031). The FAO Animal Health and Production Division, One Health and AMR Cluster, coordinates and implement work across different FAO divisions to mainstream One Health and AMR in FAO activities, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice. Externally, this cluster streamlines FAO collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as the Quadripartite to address health threats at the human-animal-plant-environment interface and to promote health and sustainable development.

The position is located in the One Health and Disease Control Group, One Health Coordination Unit (NSAH-CJW) of the Animal Health and Production Division (NSA), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Animal Health Officer (One Health) reports to the Chief, One Health and Disease Control Branch (NSAH/CJW), Animal Production and Health Division (NSA).

Technical Focus

One Health planning, management and coordination, capacity development support and advocacy.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with divisional objectives, One Health domain and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

·Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks 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 Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and 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 Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

·Provides technical coordination support to the FAO One Health Technical Working Group Secretariat, contributing to cross-divisional collaboration and supporting engagement with Regional and Country Offices to advance One Health implementation in agrifood systems at global, regional and country levels.

·Serves as a technical focal point supporting FAO engagement with the Quadripartite Secretariat, contributing to FAO's technical inputs and coordination within the Quadripartite collaboration (FAO, UNEP, WHO, WOAH) and supporting coherent FAO contributions to joint One Health priorities, frameworks and governance processes.

·Contributes to the development, refinement and application of One Health tools and methodologies, including mapping, harmonization, piloting and periodic updates, in alignment with FAO's One Health in Agrifood Systems Framework and other relevant frameworks, such as the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action.

·Supports collaboration, advocacy and knowledge generation and sharing initiatives, including the One Health High-Level Expert Panel, One Health Knowledge Nexus and Virtual Learning Center, by contributing technical inputs and facilitating coordination with partners.

·Provides technical support for capacity development for national One Health implementation, including the four 'Cs' (coordination, collaboration, communication and capacities), with a focus on strengthening governance mechanisms and supporting the development and implementation of National One Health Action Plans.

·Supports and contributes to the day-to-day coordination of One Health activities within the branch, across divisions and with partners, under the guidance of senior management.

·Provides technical inputs and supports on the prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases, zoonoses of One Health relevance, and selected production diseases, within the context of the One Health in Agrifood Systems Framework and the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action.

·Supports the technical preparation and organization of high-level events, including major FAO corporate events, Quadripartite Executive Annual Meetings and global One Health fora, and contributes to substantive discussions, background materials and follow-up actions as required.

·Drafts and contributes to high-quality technical, policy and advocacy materials, including concept notes, technical briefs, analyses, agreements, action documents and presentations, ensuring clarity, scientific soundness and alignment with FAO One Health priorities.

·Contributes to resource mobilization activities, including the development of project proposals, support to donor engagement processes, and identification of opportunities to strengthen FAO's One Health work in agrifood systems.

·Formulates and implements projects, specifically in the areas of One Health in Agrifood system implementation.

·Provides global technical coordination of projects and supports to regional and country offices for the delivery of One Health activities as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

·Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent or above) inbiology, life science and veterinary medicine.

·Seven years of relevant experience in advancing One Health in Agrifood system, promoting multisectoral collaboration and working closely with international organizations, and national institutes.

·Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Chinese, French, Spanish, Arabic, 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.

·Extend and relevance of experience in multisectoral collaboration for One Health, including the Quadripartite collaboration.

·Ability to lead or coordinate cross organizational working groups on One Health activities.

·Demonstrated knowledge and experience on FAO's One Health in Agrifood System framework and other relevant One Health Frameworks.

·Experience in coordinating and leading programmes/initiatives across other UN agencies.

·Extensive experience in supporting senior management on One Health relevant activities.

·Demonstrated experience in knowledge, development and/or implementation of One Health relevant tools for disease prevention and control.

·Extent and relevance of experience in prevention and control of animal diseases under the One Health approach.

·Extent and relevance of experience in project formulation and implementation.

·Extensive (and relevance of) experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents for Governing Body meetings as well as in organizing meetings and workshops at headquarters, regional- and country-level.

·Understanding of FAO policies and programmes, including FAO governing bodies and intergovernmental processes.

Ability to edit and write clearly and concisely technical content for publications by Digital and AI tools.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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;
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
• 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

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT