On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Global Programme for Pandemic Prevention and Response, One Health aims to strengthen the capacity of pandemic prevention and response at national, regional and global level using a One Health approach. It is based on the One Health Strategy of the BMZ, which identifies interfaces between biodiversity, the environment, human and animal health for pandemic prevention and places a special focus on the detection and control of novel zoonoses. The Tripartite of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is a critical international structure, which is to be extended to include the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The Senior Specialist will support the development and implementation of improved cross-sectoral strategies to mitigate against disease emergence at the human-animal-environment interface, and to prevent and control disease outbreaks. By supporting the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP), they will advance the development and implementation of policies to pursue appropriate scientific avenues, identify research priorities, and strengthen international scientific networks on One Health. The Senior Specialist will be responsible for liaising between the OHHLEP and the “Tripartite + UNEP” (Tripartite+) Secretariat particularly with respect to the anticipated expansion of the Collaboration, to ensure this transition is successful. By supporting implementation of the OIE Wildlife Health Framework, the Scientific Officer will support better integration of wildlife health into One Health strategies.
For this assignment a personnel cooperation with the OIE is intended.
Tasks and Responsibilities
- Liaises with focal points for the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) in WHO, FAO and UNEP in the review of recommendations arising from the panel for the purposes of adjusting Tripartite+ work plans, project or programme proposals and design activities, training initiatives, stakeholder coordination and resource mobilisation
- Assume the support duties for the secretariat of the OHHLEP, when hosted at the OIE (if rotation is agreed)
- Supports the duties of a technical secretariat to the OHHLEP as needed, including coordination of the meetings of the panel and sub-groups, preparation of meeting working papers, and other reports as well as support for coordination of the call for experts
- Work on strengthening the coordination and visibility of the Tripartite+ workplan amongst and across the partner organisations, including further development and prioritization of activities as well as advocate to support workplan activities and for One Health more broadly
- Coordinate within the Tripartite+ and OIE to develop strategies to create, sustain and strengthen surveillance systems including wildlife. Develop a partnership engagement strategy to support implementation of the wildlife health framework
- Together with the OIE ad hoc expert group, review existing OIE Standards and practical guidelines relevant to wildlife health management along the wildlife value/supply chain, to identify gaps and needs in coordination with other international standard setting and regulatory bodies
- Maintain contact with the OIE Wildlife Working Group, OIE Reference Centers for wildlife, and national focal points for wildlife to share relevant information on wildlife and wildlife health between the OIE scientific network and OIE stakeholders to the OHHLEP and the Tripartite +
- Maintain contact with the German Development Cooperation and liaise with relevant projects through communication and information exchange
Requirements
- A graduate or post graduate degree in veterinary sciences, disease ecology, wildlife health, or environmental sciences or other relevant sciences e.g. zoology or ecology
- Many years of professional experience as well as several years in the management of programmes relating to the above
- Several years of experience working in roles where interdisciplinary science and engagement was a primary focus. Experience in providing a technical suppport to a body of scientific experts would be advantageous.
- Several years of international experience, preferably including in science-based international organisations and working directly or in collaboration with international organisations which manage issues relating to wildlife
- Strong analytical and research skills, ideally accompanied by technical knowledge relating to disease ecology at the human-animal-environment interface
- Excellent communication skills, with demonstrable ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multinational and multicultural environment
- Self-motivated, with excellent organisation skills and ability to meet specific deadlines
- Fluency in English (spoken and written); fluency in other languages (French, German, Spanish) would be an advantage
Application deadline is July 21, 2021.
