Virtual Learning Centre Coordinator (RNE-SAP-REU)

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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

The Zoonoses/AMR Center (CJWZ) and the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) project will manage the multidisciplinary funding project “Delivering capacity building and country support in the context of COVID-19 crisis using regional Virtual Learning Centers” (Multidisciplinary Fund Project - MDF project) in close collaboration with Forestry Division (NFO), Fishery Division (NFI) and the regional FAO Offices in Africa (RAF), Near East and North Africa (RNE), Europe and Central Asia (REU) and Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

The project aims to provide support for country needs in line with the Strategic Objectives and SDGs, in particular for unforeseen requirements arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, through access to virtual learning and has the following objectives: (1) To establish one Virtual Learning Center (VLC) in each of the five FAO regions; (2) To support the development and delivery of virtual training programmes; (3) To enhance the capacities of various national stakeholders from the animal health, animal production, food and feed safety and quality, aquaculture and environment and natural resources; (4) To establish mechanisms to ensure the VLCs sustainability.

The VLCs will use online technologies to train personnel working in the public and private sector in a range of areas including One Health capacity building; Livestock, livestock products, wild meat and aquaculture value chains; and Emergency preparedness and disease surveillance and outbreaks management. Initial funding support, mentorship and expertise will be provided through the MDF project until the end of the year with the objective that VLCs will become technically and financially independent. In order to become sustainable, the VLCs are expected to expand the training topics they will cover in the near future, beyond the areas consider by the MDF project and tailored to the needs of each region.

The assignment will take place until the end of the year (2021). The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.

The purpose of this call is to attract talents to populate a roster for the position of:

1. Coordinator of the Virtual Learning Centre for Near East and North Africa (RNE);
2. Coordinator of the Virtual Learning Centre for Europe and Central Asia (REU); and
3. Coordinator of the dedicated Pacific Islands (SAP) section of the Virtual Learning Centre for Asia and the Pacific.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall policy and technical guidance of the managers of the MDF project, the consultant will report to the Budget Holder and the Leading Technical Officer of the MDF project and:

1. directly to the Senior Livestock Development Officer in RNE;
2. directly to the Technical Advisor on Animal Health in REU;
3. directly to the Senior Animal Health and Production Officer of FAO Regional Office for Asia-Pacific (RAP), working in close collaboration with the Virtual Learning Centre for Asia and the Pacific team and in consultation with the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Regional Manager.

Technical Focus

The consultant/PSA will provide support to enhance and deliver the work programme of the MDF project in the region where the incumbent will work, under the overall guidance of the MDF project managers.

The VLC will be a tool for development and delivery of online virtual courses based on training needs and to support the regional networks, through the facilitation of meetings and virtual interaction. Under the VLC project, the VLC will initially focus on a series of courses related to the topic areas of One Health, livestock and aquatic animal health and emergency preparedness, with the vision to broaden its scope in a near future.

Tasks and responsibilities

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 and according to the profile:

• Support the establishment of the VLC, ensuring strong collaboration with the different FAO units involved in the project at regional level, and with the focal points in the different countries within the region/sub-region;
• Support the continued growth and sustainability of the VLC through ensuring a regionally/sub-regionally relevant VLC work programme and strong collaboration and consultation within FAO and with regional partners, promoting advocacy of the VLC within and outside the organization; providing strategic foresight to anticipate future priorities and risks for the VLC; contributing to the definition of solutions towards sustainability of the VLC;
• Supervise, if required, the VLC team and report on the progress made by the VLC, guiding on future developments;
• Consult with target countries, national and regional organizations, existing reports and studies in order to review specific training priorities related to different areas of work in FAO in order to use this information to define a programme of online training based on needs and focus the efforts to attract funds according to the regional/sub-regional needs;
• Maintain a regional/sub-regional network of national training focal points for communication and coordination with the relevant competent authorities in the countries (veterinary services, fisheries, wildlife management, etc);
• Manage or assist with the management of a multi-stakeholder advisory group of relevant regional organizations and bodies, including academic and institutional partners, to guide the identification of gaps and priorities, to promote the uptake of the VLC as a regional platform offering support for multiple training themes, and to ensure the future sustainability of the VLC;
• Manage input from subject matter experts and instructional design specialists to coordinate the development and delivery of v-learning courses and resources;
• Provide support to regional networks and organizations through provision of virtual networking solutions such as webinars;
• Support the alignment of internal quality assurance processes that assure the quality of training courses, from development to delivery;
• Support collection of relevant information after the delivery of courses in order to carry out a regular impact assessment. This will include drafting an impact assessment report suitable to inform further planning of the training programme;
• Provide, when relevant, subject matter expertise in the development or adaptation of v-learning courses to the regional situation;
• Undertake other relevant tasks mutually agreed and deemed necessary by the relevant supervisors.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements for Consultants:

• Advanced University Degree in veterinary science, biology, agronomy, or related fields relevant to the duties listed and the topic areas covered by the MDF project;
• At least five years of relevant post graduate experience in livestock or aquatic animal health, One Health, or other areas related to the topic areas covered by the MDF project;
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and limited knowledge (Level B) of one of FAO’s Official languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

Minimum Requirements for PSAs:

• Technical specialization or equivalent in a discipline relevant to the duties listed and the topic areas covered by the MDF project;
• At least two years of relevant post graduate experience in livestock or aquatic animal health, One Health, or other areas related to the topic areas covered by the MDF project;
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working for, or in support of, government services and/or international organisations in the RNE, REU or SAP region, with experience across multiple countries is highly desirable;
• High level of technical knowledge of zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases, aquaculture health, emergency preparedness, wildlife management, risk analysis and One Health Implementation in the RNE, REU or SAP region, and a strong understanding of the varied capacity of governments to manage key challenges in these areas of work;
• Sound understanding of and experience with development and delivery of training for professionals through a range of online and other modalities.

Selection Criteria

• Experience managing capacity building projects at a national, regional or international level, with projects involving training, extension development and/or delivery would be an advantage;
• Ability to work independently and in a small team environment to effectively develop, coordinate and deliver projects under limited supervision;
• Good level of spoken and written Arabic would be desirable for the VLC in the RNE region.
• Good level of spoken and written Russian would be desirable for the VLC in the REU region.

Please attach a document highlighting in 200 words or less any relevant project management experience you may have.

Please make sure a copy of your highest degree obtained and all relevant certificates are uploaded to your application.

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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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