Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)Technical Specialist (Various profiles)

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• 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 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 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.

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).

FAO established the Joint FAO/WHO Centre (Zoonotic Diseases, and AMR), CJWZ. The centre coordinates/reinforces 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.

AMR activities in FAO are carried out under the umbrella of the FAO Action Plan on AMR. The FAO Action Plan on AMR 2021-2025 presents five identified strategic AMR objectives, including outputs and detailed key activities, serving the goals of the Organization to tackle AMR in food and agriculture.

In addition, FAO works together with the Tripartite (FAO, OIE and WHO) and UNEP on AMR and is part of a Joint Secretariat on AMR, working towards a Tripartite strategy and workplan as well as co-managing the AMR Multipartner Trust Fund (AMR MPTF) to ensure a One Health approach at all levels.

At regional level FAO RLC is active in several AMR projects, in line with the AMR work at HQ level. This call is specific for the AMR projects at the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (FAO RLC).

FAO International Consultant and Call purpose

A consultant/PSA is to be engaged by the Organization to provide expertise, skills and knowledge for specific initiatives that are of short-term by nature, ranging 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. 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 to populate a roster for the following profiles as specialists:

1. Formulation of animal health policies and strategies, under the One Health approach.
2. Formulation and strategic direction of AMR containment in the agri-food sector.
3. Coordinator of technical, operational and financial management of health projects, preferably AMR
4. Preparation and execution of projects in the agri-food sector, preferably AMR
5. Project planning, monitoring and evaluation in the agri-food sector
6. Epidemiological surveillance of AMR in animal health and food safety
7. Laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of AMR and antimicrobial residues in food
8. Animal feed and feed industry
9. Preparation and implementation of regulatory policies for the production of animal feed and feed industry
10. Food of animal origin, with an emphasis on primary production of terrestrial animals.
11. Preparation and implementation of public policies for the registration and control of veterinary drugs
12. Health risk communication and behavior change sciences in the agri-food sector.

Reporting Lines

The consultant/PSA reports directly to the appointed responsible officer of FAO’s work on AMR and/or 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 outcomes:

Outcome I – Increasing stakeholder awareness and engagement
Outcome II – Strengthening surveillance and research
Outcome III - Enabling good practises
Outcome IV-. Promoting responsible use of antimicrobials
Outcome 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. The following are the generic functions for which candidates are sought.

Some key functions will include (tasks will be assigned according to the specific profile):

Formulation of animal health policies and strategies, under the One Health approach

• Advise on the formulation, strengthening and implementation of animal health policies and strategies, under the One Health approach at the national and regional level, with emphasis on governance for the integrated management of AMR risks.

Formulation and strategic direction of AMR containment in the agri-food sector

• Advise on the formulation, strengthening and implementation of strategies for the containment of AMR in the agri-food sector at the regional and national level, aligned with the international reference strategies and the productive, sanitary and institutional systems that characterize the production of animals destined to feed the region. Responsable for the Design of strategies under results-based management.

Coordinator of technical, operational and financial management of health projects, preferably AMR

• Coordinate and support technical, administrative, and financial operations for the management of national and regional projects on AMR to achieve the objectives and results of the project in line with FAO procedures and strategies.

Preparation and execution of projects in the agri-food sector, preferably AMR

• Support the development and implementation of projects in the agri-food sector, preferably in AMR, providing technical support for management, information systematization and other technical tasks related to obtaining project results.

Project planning, monitoring and evaluation in the agri-food sector

• Under the logical framework approach and available tools, support the coordination of the planning, follow-up and evaluation of the results of AMR projects, including the monitoring of indicators and budgets to achieve these results.

Epidemiological surveillance of AMR in animal health and food safety

• Provide technical support for the implementation and strengthening of AMR monitoring and surveillance plans (protocol design, data analysis and integration, reports, training, evaluation) in animal and food production, in line with international policies.

Laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of AMR and antimicrobial residues in food

• Provide technical support for the evaluation, strengthening and implementation of AMR diagnostic techniques and interlaboratory management in line with international policies and instruments, with a focus on animal health and food safety laboratories.
• Provide technical support for the evaluation, strengthening and implementation of antimicrobial residue detection techniques in food.

Animal feed and feed industry

• Provide technical guidance related to the production of medicated feed and the role of the industry in the containment strategies of AMR in the animal feed chain.

Preparation and implementation of regulatory policies for the production of animal feed and feed industry

• Advise on the formulation, strengthening and implementation of policies and strategies for the regulation of the feed production sector, its implementation and control systems with an emphasis on the containment of AMR.

Food industry of animal origin, with an emphasis on primary production of terrestrial animals.

• Provide technical guidance related to the primary production of terrestrial animals intended for food, with an emphasis on health management and good practices for the prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials.

Preparation and implementation of public policies for the registration and control of veterinary drugs

• Provide technical guidance related to the regulations for the authorization and registration of veterinary medical products, and the control system throughout the food chain, in line with international reference policies.

Health risk communication and behavior change sciences in the agri-food sector

• Advise on the design, implementation, and evaluation of risk communication strategies for AMR in line with relevant international policies and strategies, aimed at expanding the capacities of the regulatory health authorities of the agricultural sector. Introduction of concepts and tools of behavioural science.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Depending on the Profile and orientation:

For Consultants or PSA:

• University degree in a discipline relevant to the duties listed or otherwise related to FAO’s Programme of Work, including technical field disciplines.
• At least 5 years (Category B) or 12 years (Category A) in one of the areas below, in accordance with the task and responsibilities described in the previous section.
• Working knowledge of Spanish and limited knowledge of English (Level B). For PSA.SBS only working knowledge of Spanish would be sufficient.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Profiles 1, 2, 3, 4: University degree and qualification in veterinary medicine/science, with experience in design and project management (technical cooperation is preferable)
• Profile 5: University degree and qualification in agricultural sciences and experiences in monitoring and evaluation in agri-food projects.
• Profile 6: University degree and qualification in veterinary medicine/science, epidemiology, public health or in a discipline relevant to AMR containment, and/or AMR/AMU experience in working in the official veterinary services/international organizations is preferable or in the private sector.
• Profile 7: University degree and qualification in veterinary medicine/science or microbiology, with experience in AMR diagnosis and residues of veterinary products laboratory.
• Profiles 8,9,10,11: University degree and qualification in veterinary medicine/science with experience in working in the official veterinary services/international organizations is preferable or in the private sector, according to the profile.
• Profile 12: University degree and qualification in communication, sociology, psychology sciences, with experience in risk communication and process of awareness and behaviour change for sanitary issues
• For Senior positions:
At least twelve years of post-graduate relevant experience is required;
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.
Experience with AMR 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