Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – Technical Specialist (Various profiles)

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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

FAO plays a key role in supporting governments, producers, traders and other stakeholders to move towards the responsible use of antimicrobials in food and agriculture, thus helping reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Adopted by 164 session of FAO council meeting, FAO established the Joint FAO/WHO Centre (Zoonotic Diseases, and AMR), CJWZ,

The centre will coordinate/reinforce the FAO AMR work and foster collaborations with external partners to support global efforts to effectively address the threats of zoonotic diseases and AMR at global, regional and country levels.

Currently, AMR activities in FAO are carried out under the umbrella of the FAO Action Plan on AMR 2016-2020 that addresses four major focus areas: Improve awareness on AMR and related threats; Develop capacity for surveillance and monitoring of AMR and antimicrobial use (AMU) in food and agriculture; Strengthen governance related to AMU and AMR in food and agriculture; Promote good practices in food and agricultural systems and the prudent use of antimicrobials.

The Action Plan 2016-2020 will be replaced with a new version for the period 2021-2025, which has been developed by a multidisciplinary working committee through a consultative process with members and the FAO Inter-Departmental Working Group on AMR (AMR WG). The FAO Action Plan on AMR 2021-2025 presents a series of objectives on five identified strategic AMR objectives, including outputs and detailed key activities, serving the goals of the Organization to tackle AMR in food and agriculture.

FAO International Consultant and Call purpose

A consultant/PSA is engaged by the Organization to provide expertise, skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or piece of work, which would be short-term by nature. The assignment may involve full-time or part-time functions.

The purpose of this Call is to identify suitably qualified and experienced consultants and/or PSA subscribers to populate a roster for the following profiles:

• AMR Laboratory Specialist
• AMR/AMU Surveillance specialist
• AMR Epidemiology Specialist
• AMR Antimicrobial Pharmacist
• AMR Specialist in Beekeeping
• AMR Risk Analyst
• AMR Economic Specialist
• AMR Progressive Management Pathway (PMP) specialist
• AMR Programming Specialist
• AMR Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
• AMR behaviour change Specialist
• AMR communication Specialist
• AMR Behavioural Scientist

Candidates may be involved in more than one orientation/initiatives and may be invited to undertake short-term assignments ranging in duration from a few days or weeks to a maximum of 11 months. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.

Reporting Lines

The consultant/PSA, in close collaboration with FAO AMR working group members, reports directly to the appointed responsible officer in the 5 pillars of FAO Action Plan on AMR 2021-2025 and to the AMR focal point for functional and policy guidance.

Technical Focus

Support the implementation of FAO Action Plan on AMR at global, regional, sub-regional and country level in five pillars:

Pillar I – Increasing stakeholder awareness and engagement

Pillar II – Strengthening surveillance and research

Pillar III - Enabling good practises

Pillar IV-. Promoting responsible use of antimicrobials

Pillar V - Strengthening governance and allocating resources sustainably

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant/PSA will provide support to the implementation the FAO Action Plan on AMR at global, regional, sub-regional and country level.

Following are the generic functions for which candidates are sought. Specific tasks and responsibilities will be defined in Terms of Reference prepared for different assignments, according to:

• the profile orientation required and
• the selected candidates’ experience, qualifications and expertise.

The key functions will be as following (tasks will be assigned according to the specific profile):

• For the AMR Laboratory Specialist: provide technical support for laboratory capacity building activities (trainings, development of protocols, assessment, procurement of laboratory consumables and equipment) within the development and/or implementation of AMR/ AM residues surveillance system in food and agriculture sectors;
• For the AMR/AMU Surveillance Specialist: provide technical support for the development and implementation of AMR and/or AMU surveillance programmes (surveillance protocols, AMR and/or AMU data management, data analysis, training, assessment) in food and agriculture;
• For the AMR Epidemiology Specialist: provide technical support for the development and implementation of AMR epidemiology investigation activities in food and agriculture, including training, assessments and facilitation for the development and deployment of epidemiology investigation plans and pilot projects, data management and analysis;
• For the AMR Antimicrobial Pharmacist: provide support to the good practices of AMR in food and agriculture; contribute to the exploration of alternative ingredients to replace antimicrobials as growth promoters.
• For AMR Specialist in Beekeeping: provide technical support to the antimicrobial use in beekeeping and bring in one health perspective, support the deploy of Progressive Management Pathway (PMP) for Biosecurity Measures in Beekeeping (BMBs) and AMR PMP in beekeeping.
• For the AMR Risk Analyst: provide technical support for the development and deployment of activities related to risk analysis of AMR in food and agriculture sectors, including direct support to countries for assembling multispectral teams, and for guiding them through risk analysis steps according to international standards (Codex, OIE) and considering the different tools and methodologies available;
• For the AMR Economic Specialist: provide analysis on the economic impact of AMR in food and agriculture, particularly at farm level; support the implementation of cost-benefit programme.
• For the AMR Progressive Management Pathway (PMP) Specialist: provide support / inputs to the advocacy, revision, update, implementation, training of the FAO-Progressive Management Pathway for AMR; provide technical inputs to the sector-specific PMP development.
• For the AMR Programming Specialist: support the budget planning for the AMR projects including Multi-Partner Trust Fund (AMR MPTF) projects, support the implementation of AMR project in line with FAO project cycle and relevant policies, perform other related duties as required;
• For the AMR Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist: Provide support to strengthen FAO AMR M&E capacities/ tools, design and implement AMR monitoring and evaluation system in food and agriculture; provide support to M&E of AMR projects;
• For AMR Behaviour Change Specialist: Provide strategic guidance on AMR behaviour change and communication targets, coordinating team inputs and advising on BCC strategy.
• For AMR Communication Specialist: Develop and implement the AMR external communication strategy, including a revitalized web presence; support internal knowledge sharing among the AMRWG and across divisions, coordinate WAAW messaging and activities with WHO and OIE
• AMR Behavioural Scientist: Develop and implement scoping, design, experimentation and learning and support activities to further existing AMR behaviour change pilot plans and develop new interventions based on AMR programme goals and field opportunities. Gather and leverage behavioural insights to promote measurable change and support communication efforts to collect and disseminate results internally and externally.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Depending on the Profile and orientation:

For Consultants:

• University degree in a discipline relevant to the duties listed or otherwise related to FAO’s Programme of Work, including technical field disciplines, advanced degree preferable;
• At least five years of relevant work experience in the areas below, in accordance with the specialist group respectively:
  • AMR lab activities ( trainings, development of protocols, assessment, procurement of laboratory consumables and equipment);
  • AMR/AMU surveillance in food and agriculture sectors;
  • AMR epidemiology investigation and data analysis;
  • Alternative ingredients to replace antimicrobials as growth promoters;
  • AMR/AMU in beekeeping;
  • AMR Social economic study, cost- benefit analysis, or good practices implementation at farm level;
  • Risk analysis of AMR in food and agriculture sectors;
  • Implementation of the Global Action Plan, FAO Action Plan, or National Action Plan;
  • Project design, budget planning and management;
  • Monitoring and Evaluation work;
  • Awareness, communication and behaviour change.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and limited knowledge (Level B) of one of FAO’s Official languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

For PSAs:

• University degree, technical specialization or equivalent in a discipline relevant to the duties listed or otherwise related to FAO’s Programme of Work, including technical field disciplines;
• At least one year of relevant work experience in:
  • AMR lab activities ( trainings, development of protocols, assessment, procurement of laboratory consumables and equipment);
  • AMR/AMU surveillance in food and agriculture;
  • AMR epidemiology investigation, data management and analysis;
  • Alternative ingredients to replace antimicrobials as growth promoters;
  • AMR/AMU in beekeeping;
  • AMR Social economic study, cost- benefit analysis, or good practices implementation at farm level;
  • Risk analysis of AMR in food and agriculture;
  • Implementation of the Global Action Plan, FAO Action Plan, or National Action Plan;
  • Project design, budget planning and management;
  • Monitoring and Evaluation work;
  • Awareness, communication and behaviour change.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Post-graduate qualification in veterinary medicine/science, epidemiology, public health, risk assessment, pharmacology, or in a discipline relevant to the management of AMR/AMU, and/or AMR/AMU experience in working in the official veterinary services/international organizations is preferable ( AMR Laboratory specialist, AMR/AMU Surveillance in food and agriculture specialist, AMR Epidemiology specialist, AMR Antimicrobial Pharmacist, AMR Specialist in beekeeping, AMR risk analyst, AMR Progressive Management Pathway (PMP) specialist)
• Post-graduate qualification in economic science or in a discipline relevant to AMR social-economic study, cost-benefit analysis (AMR Economic Specialist );
• Post-graduate qualification in a discipline relevant to awareness, communication, and behaviour change (AMR Communication Specialist, AMR Behaviour Change Specialist, and AMR Behavioural Scientist)
• For Senior positions: at least twelve years of post-graduate of relevant experience is required;
• Knowledge of more FAO’s Official languages will be considered an asset;
• Familiarity with liaising with FAO central and decentralized offices as well as the knowledge of protocol procedures will be considered an asset;
• Experience managing projects at national or international level;
• Strong communication/written skills in English.

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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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