Veterinary para-professional capacity skills training programme coordinator

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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

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Organizational Setting

To support the critical role played by Veterinary Paraprofessionals (VPPs) in delivering essential animal health services and improve their requisite technical and business skills in key geographies of Africa and Asia, enabling business environments are needed for the provision of these services, supplies, and knowledge for smallholder farmers (SHFs). The European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD), in collaboration with the project partners World Veterinary Association (WVA) and HealthforAnimals (HFA), has secured a specific investment to reinforce veterinary service provision systems through improved capacity of VPPs to deliver animal health services. This project will deliver and evaluate a model for sustainable VPPs in which competency acquisition is a gateway to recognition and increases access to new business opportunities in the “last mile” delivery of quality-assured animal health services. This will be accomplished by a competency-based training system, in line with OIE Guidelines, allied to a digital engagement strategy supporting recognition and business development in the animal health care services marketplace.

The EuFMD plays a significant role in the animal health part of FAO’s programme to increase resilience of livelihoods to food and agriculture threats and crises (SO5).

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports directly to the Chief Veterinary Officer/Leader Animal Health Programme, NSAH and works under the overall supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary, EuFMD, and the Project Lead Technical Officer.

Technical Focus

Support the coordination of the project “Veterinary para-professional capacity skills training” bringing together the expertize and skills of FAO/EuFMD, WVA and HealthforAnimals to address gaps and deficiencies in national veterinary service delivery by developing putting into place and evaluate a training program, to equip vets and VPPs with the necessary skills, competencies, networks and resources to enhance animal, especially preventative, healthcare and enabling them to be part of a sustainable and economically viable solution.

The three key project’s outcomes are:

1. national recognition of trained individuals and their new competencies, by national bodies, and provision of the tools to maintain the recognition (certification) system for VPPs by the VSBs or other national/statutory body
2. supportive business environment, digital engagement and allied information systems that increase community awareness, engagement and “brand recognition” by small holder farmers or public service employers of those VPPs completing the training programme, and
3. increased opportunities of trained VPPs for employment and business opportunities to access distribution channels for veterinary vaccines and other veterinary medical products (VMP) products from quality producers.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Veterinary Officer/Leader Animal Health Programme, the direct supervision of the EuFMD Deputy Executive Secretary and EuFMD Project Lead Technical Officer, in close consultation and co-ordination with EuFMD Pillar Coordinators and EuFMD experts, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Coordinate the planning and implementation of project activities of Project for “Veterinary and veterinary para-professional capacity skills training” including the workplan development, implementation and monitoring;
• Manage the coordination with Project Partners, Project Funders and other relevant International and Regional Organizations and Bodies, including the regular engagement with the Project Steering Committee;
• Establish close collaboration and working arrangements with Regional and sub-Regional FAO Offices and national/international staff, experts related for the implementation of the technical activities of the project;
• Support and ensure collaboration with other projects implemented by FAO and other International Organizations elated to enhance Animal Health Services capabilities at national and regional levels;
• Provide technical inputs and feedback to national social and gender policies that enable and encourage the participation of women in vocational training and entrepreneurship development, and to technical papers or products from desk review, situations analysis and needs assessments reports;
• Support the country level selection process to identify three countries for project implementation from a shortlisted pool of five candidate countries, including the organization of regional and national virtual or physical events and missions;
• Manage the development of country-level project plans in the three target countries and the relevant direct engagement with stakeholders from the identified candidate countries and regional bodies;
• Prepare in a timely manner technical and regular project reports in line with funding partner requirements and FAO rules and procedures, and in alignment with monitoring mechanisms and performance indicators coordinated with the Supporting Evidence-Based Interventions (SEBI) initiative;
• Ensure the coordination and active collaboration with the Gender Unit of the funding partner and with other International Reference centers indicated by the funding partner, and the engagement with specific national stakeholders in the identified target countries;
• Where appropriate, facilitate and participate in country missions with project partners as part of the final country selection process;
• Undertake other relevant tasks mutually agreed and deemed necessary by the Secretariat.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in policy development, international relations, legal studies, management, gender and development, animal health or other related fields for the position;
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of management, policy development, livestock and animal health management, multi-stakeholder partnerships and women’s empowerment in agriculture/livestock;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and projects at international level, including designing project activities; monitoring timelines and milestones; implementing activities within budget and on time; conducting follow ups on project activities; preparing and facilitating events; and evaluating and reporting on project activities.
• Extensive experience of successful collaborations with FAO Regional, sub-regional and country entities;
• Extensive experience of engagement with UN and non-UN bodies/organizations/agencies working on gender and development, including in the livestock sector;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Experience in workshop and training organization and delivery.

Selection Criteria

• Very good communication and English language skills;
• Experience on gender and VPPs is an asset.

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

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