The Joint FAO/WHO Centre (CODEX Food Standards and Zoonotic Diseases), (CJW), was established with the mission to reinforce the FAO contribution to the multi-partite (FAO, OIE, WHO) work on zoonotic diseases and AMR, and foster collaborations with UNEP and other partners to support global efforts to effectively address these threats at global, regional and country levels. The Joint Centre supports and coordinates FAO inputs to the Tripartite (FAO-OIE ‘WHO) initiative, and subsidiary bodies to the Tripartite such as the One Health High Expert Council. CJW (Z) works very closely in FAO with the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) as well as other FAO divisions and Centres. ‘One Health’ is an integrated approach that takes into account and recognizes the complex, indivisible links between human, animal and environment health. FAO is strongly committed to ‘One Health’ in promoting animal health; veterinary public health; management and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity; sustainable wildlife management; securing access to safe, and healthy food; advancing climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts; land ‘use planning and supporting sustainable agricultural production.
The post is located in the CJWZ and is primarily concerned with zoonotic diseases and One Health. The tasks envisaged are to be carried out in close coordination with the different teams of the CJW, Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) and other relevant units and divisions within the organization, as well as with external partners.
Key Functions
• Plans, manages, or leads highly specialized or multi-disciplinary teams, leads, coordinates, and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams, and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Analyzes global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Objectives, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.
• Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence based strategies, and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks.
• Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services.
• Provides technical and policy advice to Member countries and technical support to decentralized offices in the development and implementation of their programmes.
• Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning, on-line tools.
• Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.
• Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in veterinary medicine or related fields of study such as microbiology, virology, epidemiology, public health
• Ten years of relevant experience in animal health, infectious disease management, including regulatory aspects, standard setting, and animal health strategy development
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential
• Extent and relevance of knowledge or experience in application of the One Health approach to disease management at national and international level, in multisectoral and multidisciplinary approaches (theoretical and practical) to disease prevention and management, and animal health policy development
• Extent and relevance of experience in project development and management related to One Health/animal health
• Extent and relevance of experience in different countries and regions, especially in developing countries and countries in transition
• High level advocacy and communication skills and ability to develop and sustain partnerships and mobilize resources
• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and capacity development
• A postgraduate degree, preferably PhD (in microbiology, virology, epidemiology, public health), is desirable.
Application deadline is 21st October, 2021.
