Biosecurity Assessment and National Value Chain Specialist

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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 Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) promotes and facilitates the sustainable development of the livestock sector, integrating scientific and technical expertise and policy advice.

The position is within the framework of project “Prevention of potential pandemics through strengthening the implementation of biosecurity improvement for emerging transboundary threats on food and agriculture sectors, TCP/INT/3901“, in which FAO is collaborating with national partners to develop an integrated biosecurity assessment and monitoring tool.

Reporting Lines

The National Value Chain Specialist reports to the Animal Health Officer, NSAH, and is under the overall supervision of the Chief, Animal Health Service/Chief Veterinary Officer-FAO.

Technical Focus

The project analyses current food safety risks and threats posed by transboundary animal and plant diseases and pests, zoonotic diseases, and risks posed by animal and plant health laboratories (biosafety and biosecurity) in support of the biosecurity strategy by developing assessment tools for priority risks and threats with the goal of creating an integrated biosecurity index/monitoring dashboard or assessment toolkit.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in identification of potential transboundary threats and risks to food and agriculture sectors through predicting/forecasting process and biosecurity improvement plans along the value chains and the application of FAO’s integrated biosecurity assessment and monitoring tool.
• Identify the relevant national stakeholders that contribute to the application of the FAO biosecurity assessment and monitoring tool
• Assist in organizing the training of stakeholders (national assessors/ inspectors/surveyors) on the FAO biosecurity assessment and monitoring tool and initiate building a community of assessors in the country using the FAO tool
• Identify needs for adjustments and improvement to the FAO biosecurity assessment and monitoring tool and propose suggestions to address the needs
• Contribute to strengthening national capacities for identifying and mitigating risks through the related pathways and improved coordination with stakeholders, with a coordinated support of FAO multidisciplinary experts
• Assist the relevant national institutions (and other stakeholders) by providing technical guidance, support, and training on implementing the FAO biosecurity assessment and monitoring tool
• Contribute to preparing reports, communication and advocacy materials on the biosecurity assessment and monitoring tool /mechanism for dissemination
• Engage with national stakeholders to actively participate in the generation and dissemination of knowledge and information gained targeting various levels of stakeholders
• Liaise with the government to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are being put in place to ensure the sustainability of the biosecurity assessment and monitoring tool /mechanism and follow-up to FAO intervention in collaboration with the regional institutions involved and relevant stakeholders
• Contribute to sharing information on any lessons learnt from implementing the FAO biosecurity assessment and monitoring tool

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agri-business, agriculture, policy, marketing, rural development, or a related field
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in value chains development and market linkages for smallholders
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian). For PSA, working knowledge of English. Knowledge of the national language is also required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extend and relevance of experience in designing approaches to improving biosecurity measures along the food value chains (livestock, poultry, fish, crops), food safety and quality, plant, and animal health
• Extent and relevance of experience in the development of food - sensitive value chains and market linkages for smallholders and contract farming
• Extent and relevance of experience in value chain analysis especially with identifying risk entry points along different value chains to improve food safety and quality
• Experience in biosecurity at different farm levels, quarantine systems, traceability of live animals and products, export/import standards and certifications would be an advantage
• Extend and relevance of experience in developing training materials and providing capacity building to stakeholders including national, district, and local staff and farmers
• Ability to engage and deal with stakeholders at national, sub-national and district level
• Ability to produce quality reports both in English and the national language
• Good knowledge and experience using risk assessment tools is desirable

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