Technical Specialist (Animal Health)

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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

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with the Regional Programme Leader (RPL), departments and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Regional and Country Teams are dedicated to working with governments in preventing and controlling emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases by working closely with national and international stakeholders in the animal production and health sector. The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be carried out through the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), which is currently implementing a number of projects in various countries in Asia.

Regional Call Purpose

The purpose of the Regional Call is to attract expertise for the Consultant and Personal Services assignments as they become available in ECTAD’s area of work. The Regional Call will create a roster of Applicants that will be used to identify candidates for these assignments, at regional or country level in the region.

Depending on the task to be undertaken, the appointment will be on a short-term contract, lasting from several days up to 11 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.

Reporting Lines

The consultants will report to a Team Leader of the assignment.

Technical Focus

Below is a list of areas that will be covered by the Technical Specialist (Animal Health) roster:

• Disease prevention and control in major Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs), Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) and zoonotic diseases present in the region (e.g. Avian Influenza (AI), African Swine Fever (ASF), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Petite de Peste Ruminants (PPR), etc.)
• Epidemiology
• Laboratory
• Disease Surveillance
• Animal Health Economics
• Herd Health Management
• One Health approach
• Antimicrobial Resistance in Animal Health
• Communications (animal health related)
• Monitoring and Evaluation (animal health related)
• Programme/Project Management and Operations (animal health related)
• Report writing (animal health related)

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of projects and programmes carried out by ECTAD in the Asian Region
• Provide technical support into the design and implementation of disease prevention and control programmes
• Provide technical advice and expertise and strengthen country preparedness and response to animal health related emergencies at all levels
• Enhance country public and private sector capacities and partnerships
• Facilitate knowledge management, capacity building and dissemination of information in the required areas at country and regional level
• Coordinate with relevant partners at various levels in the implementation of specific tasks
• Design and support the organisation of events relevant to the various programmes and projects
• Contribute to the development of written technical documents, including various proposals, reports and publications

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree relevant to the above areas (e.g. veterinary sciences, biomedical sciences, animal health economics, etc.)
• For level C (Consultants/PSA): at least one year of relevant experience
• For level B (Consultants/PSA): at least five years of relevant experience
• For level A (Consultants/PSA): at least twelve/fifteen years of relevant experience respectively
• For Consultants: Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish
• For PSA: only working knowledge of English is required.

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, desirably in field locations
• Extent and relevance of experience in a technical area of assignment
• Extent and relevance of experience in providing technical support at local, national or regional levels
• Extent and relevance of knowledge in the implementation of international instruments related to pertinent field of expertise
• Extent and relevance of professional experience in project and/or programme formulation and implementation
• Familiarity with and understanding the work of international organisations, regional entities and national governments
• Ability to support resource mobilization efforts
• Ability to organize and conduct technical meetings, conferences and workshops when applicable

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