Regional AMR Project Coordinator

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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 member nations, and person 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• 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

Organizational Setting

In 2015 FAO adopted a resolution on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) followed by the FAO Action Plan on AMR 2016-2020, which will be replaced with a new version for the period 2021-2024.

Within the organization an inter-departmental working group coordinates the organization’s work on AMR. The Chair of the Working Group is the FAO Chief Veterinary Officer. Within FAO, AMR is addressed in a multi sectoral manner and involves the close collaboration of staff working on Animal Production and Health, Food Safety and Quality, Plant Production, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Land and Water and Development Law at global, regional and country levels.

FAO’s overarching role in the area of antimicrobial resistance is to support the food and agriculture sector to address this global threat in a manner that reduces the use of antimicrobials in the sector so as to minimize its contribution to AMR and promote responsible use of antimicrobials in the context of sustainable food production systems and ongoing efforts to address food and nutrition security. In this context FAO supports the development of global guidance and facilitates regional and national initiatives to develop and implement National Action Plans on AMR and integrate measures to address AMR into food and agriculture production and food safety systems.

FAO works closely with its tripartite partners, the World Health Organization, and the World Organization for Animal Health to promote a One Health approach to addressing AMR at all levels. The tasks of this position will in particular support the implementation of a project on “Engaging the food and agriculture sectors in sub-Saharan Africa and South and South-east Asia in the global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance using a One Health Approach” and collaboration with WHO and OIE where relevant to support addressing AMR in a One Health manner.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall responsibility and supervision of the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), in close consultation with FAO Representatives in project beneficiary countries, the technical supervision of the FAO Fleming Fund (FF2) project (GCP/GLO/710/UK) Lead Technical Officer (ESF), and the Budget Holder (CVO, NSAH) of the FAO Fleming Fund (FF2) Project (GCP/GLO/710/UK) in Rome, Italy.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be a member of the animal production and health module of RAP and provide technical support to the Regional office (RAP) for the coordination and implementation of the AMR project – “Engaging the food and agriculture sectors in sub-Saharan Africa and South and South-east Asia in the global effort to combat antimicrobial resistance using a One Health Approach” in project beneficiary countries and the region, and other AMR mitigation activities in Asia and Pacific within the RAP One Health Regional Initiative (MPI).

This call might be used to fill similar posts at regional and sub-regional levels.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specifically, the incumbent will undertake the following activities:

Fleming Fund – Bangladesh, Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos PDR, Vietnam (and any additional priority countries)

• Support the provision of overall technical and management guidance to the National Project teams in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and the Philippines in the execution of the project to ensure quality and timeliness of project results/outputs and identify/mitigate project implementation delays;
• Monitor the delivery of project activities against agreed workplans; via regular and on-going communication with the country teams;
• Develop and implement regional workplan for the project and support the planning, coordination and implementation of regional project activities within agreed budgets and timelines and in line with the regional approach to AMR, the Global/FAO AMR action plan and in coordination with other AMR activities within the region and globally;
• Regularly share information on project implementation and maintain close coordination with the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO), project Budget Holder (BH) and the HQ support team for the project to ensure consistency of the technical approach, early identification of technical tools to support implementation, monitor and advise on risks to project implementation and make recommendations for risk mitigation measures as required;
• Provide input into development of technical products on AMR at country, regional and global levels;
• Coordinate and support the development of awareness and communication products on AMR in accordance with FAO corporate rules and regulations, as well as supporting information dissemination activities and advocate for the project among key stakeholders;
• In accordance with donor requirements, provide timely and accurate quarterly reports on developments and progress within the project as well as the outlook for the subsequent reporting period;
• Ensure that project related expenses made against the FAO/RAP account are regularly uploaded in the FAO system for accurate financial reporting;
• Support and facilitate collaboration with the project tripartite partners, World Health Organization (WHO) and World Animal Health Organization (OIE), to support a One Health approach to project implementation and ensure effective coordination of project activities both from a technical and programmatic perspective and attend/arrange tripartite coordination meetings related to the project;
• Ensure effective liaison and maintain good communication and collaboration with regional partners and other stakeholders including regional economic communities, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, academic institutions and others; leveraging synergies and opportunities for additional resources and input to facilitate achieving project objectives;
• Participate in the development of regional component of proposal for global project extension or new project (in accordance with donor preference).

RAP – Regional Activities under AH&P Module:

• Assist the Animal Health and Production Officer to deliver the RAP AMR program within the Animal Health and Production Module (AHP) and One Heath Regional Initiative, including organizing strategic and technical meetings, contributing to and reporting against the biennial and PBR work plans, technical project backstopping & field missions, and resource mobilization;
• Undertake an AMR needs assessment for The Pacific Community (SPC) to determine capacity gaps and priority areas for AMR related interventions to raise awareness, improve antimicrobial stewardship and ensure safe, responsible & effective use of antimicrobials;
• Support the development and finalization of a RAP Regional AMR Strategy (based on the FAO AMR Strategy 2021-2025) that will serve as the framework for the RAP Regional AMR Program;
• Coordinate with the USAID funded RAP Regional Project Coordinator (Antimicrobial Resistance) and other regional AMR program coordinators to ensure all AMR country project inputs are reported and included in updates to the AMR Working Group, RAP AMR coordination team, Senior AH&P officer & RAP management;
• Contribute/develop AMR training modules and support AMR training delivery through the RAP Virtual Learning Center;
• Support and help manage and implement AMR programming including the AMR experts platform and database, AMR legislation, ATLASS assessments, PMP training workshops, and collaboration with the private sector on AMR;
• Support the coordination, development of and implementation of the Tripartite-plus joint AMR work plan and activities in the region with OIE, WHO, UNEP, Regional Economic Communities (ASEAN, SAARC, SPC) and other partners (academia, NGOs, civil society organization, private sector, donors);
• Support One Health AMR programming and coordination in the RAP region through engagement with livestock, aquaculture, fisheries, crops, environment, food safety, food systems transformation and other relevant technical units.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in veterinary medicine/science, food safety, microbiology, epidemiology, agricultural science, or a related field;
• Five years of relevant experience in technical and policy issues related to antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial use or related areas of work at national and regional or international levels;
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other official languages of the Organization (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for COF.REG.
• Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS

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
• Extent and relevance of experience in project management
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical guidance and support to low- and middle-income countries
• Extent and relevance of experience in adapting international principles of good practice into a range of local settings
• Familiarity with global and regional efforts to address antimicrobial resistance

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated track record of project delivery and providing effective technical support
• Proven work experience with relevance to AMR, agriculture food production and processing and food safety
• Extent and relevance of experience in the South and South-East Asia region
• Demonstrated experience in leading workshops and training and establishing networks and coordination
• Post-graduate qualification in veterinary medicine/science, food safety, microbiology, epidemiology, agricultural science, or a related field
• Strong communication skill in English
• Knowledge of more FAO’s Official languages will be considered an asset

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